My husband, Liam Miller, and I were married for five years.

He was a smokejumper, killed in action during a wildfire that raged out of control.

I was devastated.

In my grief, I tried to end my life more than once, but Liam's family saved me each time.

His twin brother, Caleb, brought home his belongings and stayed by my side while his family urged me to let go of the past.

Liam's last wish, they said, was for me to be happy.

But three months after his "death," I discovered a shocking truth.

He wasn't dead at all.

He had assumed his twin brother's identity.

He’d spent every moment at the side of his brother's widow, Olivia Hayes.

He confessed, claiming it was all to protect Olivia and her unborn child.

He swore he’d explain everything and bring me home after the baby was born.

But for Olivia's safety, he asked me to move out.

Don't come for me, Liam.

I'm never coming back.

————————

1

My fifth suicide attempt failed, just like the others, leading to a complete breakdown.

The love of my life, Liam Miller, was gone.

My world had lost its meaning.

That night, I drove to the memorial grove for fallen firefighters.

I needed to see him, even if it was just his name etched onto a cold, metal plaque.

Just as I reached the entrance, I heard a familiar voice.

It was my mother-in-law, Sharon Miller.

"Liam, are you sure you want to keep up this charade?" Sharon asked.

"I have no choice, Mom. Olivia just lost her husband, and she’s desperate to have Caleb's baby. If she finds out the truth now, she'll shatter. I don't think she could survive it."

"But Chloe will find out sooner or later. What are you going to do then?" Sharon questioned.

I froze on the spot.

What were they talking about? Liam was dead… wasn't he? And who was impersonating whom?

"Olivia just lost her husband, Mom! How can you tell me not to worry about her? Once she has the baby, she'll have something to live for. Then I'll tell Chloe the truth. I'm sure she'll understand."

They were talking about Olivia Hayes, the wife of Liam's brother, Caleb Miller.

Sharon’s voice was laced with desperation. "Even so, you shouldn't be impersonating Caleb! Chloe is already heartbroken. Have you ever considered the agony she’ll feel when she finds out that you, her husband, are not only alive but have been pretending to be Caleb just to stay by Olivia's side?"

Pretending to be Caleb?

My mind went blank.

And then I understood.

The one who died was Caleb.

For the past three months, Liam had been pretending to be his dead brother.

A bone-deep chill shot through me, as if I’d been plunged into a frozen lake.

Liam and Caleb were identical twins.

They looked exactly alike.

Even Sharon got them mixed up sometimes.

I had never imagined Liam would use that to deceive me.

Recalling his coldness toward me and his devotion to Olivia these past three months, my heart twisted in a vise-like grip.

Once, he had been so tender with me, too.

From the day we met, he had cherished me.

Every moment of our marriage had been filled with love and passion.

Now, he was treating me like this.

He had been deceiving me all along.

My mind reeling, I stumbled back to my room and collapsed onto the floor.

I thought this was my home, but Liam had destroyed it with his own two hands.

Finally, I dialed a number.

I called my parents in Seattle—Richard Lancaster and Eleanor Vance.

"Chloe, how have you been?" my mother's warm voice filled the line.

"Your mother and I miss you terribly. When are you coming back to see us?" my father added.

Hearing their voices, my eyes instantly welled with tears.

Separated from my parents as a child, I had only reunited with them two years ago.

I was the long-lost daughter of the Lancaster family, renowned art collectors in Seattle.

But I loved Liam too much to leave the small Oregon town he called home, so I’d never told him I had found them.

Who could have known he would treat me this way...

"Mom, Dad, I…" I couldn't find the words. Finally, I just choked out, "Mom, Dad, I miss you. I don't want to be alone anymore. I want to come home."

My parents on the other end of the line were ecstatic.

They immediately said they would arrange everything and wait for my return.

Liam and I met five years ago.

At the time, I had just returned from studying art restoration in Europe and had no interest in romance.

When he asked me out, I flatly refused.

He didn't push.

Instead, he quietly watched over me.

He'd appear with a hot coffee just as I finished my morning run.

On rainy days when I'd forgotten an umbrella, he’d appear like magic outside my studio to walk me home.

When I was sick, he stayed by my side, tending to my every need.

Slowly, he melted my heart.

When he confessed his feelings again, I said yes.

When he learned I had been separated from my family as a child and had grown up alone, he held me tight and promised to give me a home.

But now, this was no longer my home.

Perhaps it was time to leave.

Suddenly, Liam walked into my room.

He frowned. "Chloe, who were you on the phone with? I heard you mention Seattle. Where are you going?"

I sucked in a sharp breath, swallowing the pain. "What are you talking about? I didn't say anything about Sea— I'm not going anywhere. I was just going for a walk."

Liam looked at me suspiciously. "Tell me the truth. I know Liam's death has been hard on you, but you need to take care of yourself. His last wish was for you to be happy."

"If you want to go somewhere, just wait. When I’m free, I’ll take you myself. Just… don't do anything foolish again."

I nodded in silence.

Liam was about to say more when Olivia walked out of her room, her face pale.

She clutched her stomach and cried out, "My stomach hurts so much, Caleb, and I'm bleeding…"

Liam instantly grew tense. "What's wrong? I'll take you to the hospital right now!"

He swept Olivia up in his arms and rushed out.

As he passed, he didn't even glance my way, just ordered, "Chloe, come with us. You can help look after her."

I had no choice but to follow them into the ambulance Liam had called.

On the way, he held Olivia tightly, his face etched with a frantic worry.

Watching my own husband dote on another woman felt like a thousand needles pricking my heart.

As soon as we arrived at the hospital, Olivia was rushed in for an examination.

The doctor emerged and announced, "Congratulations, Mrs. Hayes. You're one month pregnant. However, your condition is fragile, so you'll need to be very careful to maintain a stable pregnancy."

Olivia was pregnant?

I stood there, stunned, while a look of pure joy lit up Liam's face.

He gripped Olivia's hand tightly, exclaiming, "This is incredible news! Olivia, we're having a baby!"

Olivia's face was also filled with joy. "Thank you, Caleb."

Watching them, so close and joyful, a sharp pain lanced through my chest.

Liam had once looked at me with that same devoted gaze, but now, it was all for another woman.

"There's one more thing," the doctor said. "The patient's blood type is a rare Rh-negative, and the hospital's supply is low. Is either of you Rh-negative? It would be best if you could donate blood for her."

Hearing this, Liam immediately turned to me. "You're Rh-negative, Chloe. Please help Olivia."

I was floored.

I never imagined he would ask such a thing of me.

"I..."

Liam cut me off. "Chloe, I know this is a lot to ask, but Olivia is so weak. If she doesn't get a transfusion soon, she and the baby could both be at risk. Please, save her! I swear I'll make it up to you."

Seeing the desperate plea in his eyes, my heart filled with a profound bitterness.

He had once treated me like a precious treasure, but now, he was begging me to donate blood for his and another woman's child.

How ironic.

But I still agreed.

After all, an innocent life was at stake.

Giving a little blood was nothing.

What truly broke my heart was his attitude.

"Fine. I'll donate."

Liam froze for a moment.

He didn't seem to expect me to agree so easily.

"Thank you, Chloe! You're so kind!"

He looked at me gratefully.

I caught a flicker of guilt in his eyes, but what did it matter?

I had already given up on him.

I lay on the hospital bed as the doctor drew my blood.

Watching it drain from my body, my heart felt as cold as ice.

The last time I lay here was after a car accident.

Liam had rushed me to the hospital in a panic.

Before the surgery, he held my hand, his eyes filled with tears. "My love," he’d whispered, "I swear I will never let you get hurt again."

Now, he had shattered that vow himself.

After donating blood, I went home alone.

The house was empty.

Liam was still at the hospital with Olivia.

It was as if he had completely forgotten I existed.

A few days later, Olivia was discharged.

Liam brought her home and doted on her, not even letting her pour a glass of water for herself.

He beamed as he told the neighbors he was going to be a father, basking in the glow of his new role.

Watching their happiness, my heart ached with a bitter, twisting pain.

I had imagined having a child with Liam countless times, picturing our happy family of three.

That dream was now shattered into a million pieces.

To thank me, Olivia suggested taking me out to dinner.

"Thank you so much, Chloe. If it weren't for you, the baby and I might not have made it," Olivia said, holding my hand.

On her wrist was a bracelet Liam had woven for her by hand.

I forced a smile. "It's all right. It was the least I could do."

At the restaurant, Liam took the menu and ordered all of Olivia's favorite dishes.

Throughout the dinner, he peeled shrimp for her and placed choice morsels on her plate.

He had completely forgotten I was there.

Not wanting to watch their affectionate display, I lowered my head and quietly picked at my food.

Suddenly, I felt a wave of suffocation.

My throat felt like it was closing up, my skin began to itch, and my breathing became ragged. Then I collapsed to the floor.

My vision tunneled as the metallic tang of seafood coated my tongue, and then everything went black.

There was seafood in the appetizer.

Liam had ordered the dish because Olivia liked it, completely forgetting that I was severely allergic.

Liam let out a cry and rushed over to help me up.

However, Olivia clutched her stomach and cried out, "Caleb! My stomach hurts so much..."

At her cry, Liam shoved me aside to catch her. "What's wrong, Olivia? Are you okay?" he asked, sweeping her into his arms and bolting from the restaurant without a second glance in my direction.

I watched them leave, my heart aching to the point of numbness.

Before I lost consciousness, I heard the distant wail of an ambulance.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed.

There was no one beside me.

Only the medical equipment blinked quietly in the dark.

Liam and Olivia hadn't come to see me.

It was as if I didn't exist at all.

I signed my own discharge papers.

Just as I reached the hospital entrance, I saw Liam.

He was gently supporting Olivia, his face a mask of deep concern.

When he saw me, a flicker of embarrassment crossed his face, but he quickly composed himself. "Chloe, you're discharged?"

I nodded without speaking.

He shot me a quick glance before his gaze snapped back to Olivia.

"Be careful, Olivia. Don't fall."

Hearing his gentle tone, I felt a sharp sting.

He used to be like that with me.

But now, Olivia was the center of his world.

Not wanting to look at them for another second, I turned and walked away.

On my way home, I passed a few neighbors and overheard their chatter.

"Olivia really married a good husband. Ever since she got pregnant, Caleb has been spoiling her rotten!"

"Poor Chloe. A widow so young. And no one to even look after her in the hospital."

My nose stung, and I fought back tears.

They were right.

From the moment Liam decided to deceive me, I had lost my husband.

That night, Liam suddenly came back.

He placed some bottles of supplements on the table. "Chloe, I bought these for you."

I thanked him curtly, feeling nothing but a vast emptiness inside.

I no longer needed his concern.

Suddenly, the world started spinning, and I fainted.

I don't know how much time passed.

When I woke up, I was back in the hospital.

Liam looked relieved.

He rushed over, held me tight, and exclaimed, "Chloe! You're finally awake! Thank God!"

His voice was thick with emotion.

It sounded like he had been worried sick.

I could feel his body trembling against mine.

I was about to speak when he suddenly cupped my face and moved to kiss me.

I shoved him away and looked at him coldly. "Be careful, Caleb."

He froze, his expression faltering. "What did you just call me?"

A flash of panic crossed his eyes before he hastily corrected himself. "I'm sorry, Chloe. I... I got confused for a second. I thought you were Olivia."

With that, he hurried out of the ward.

Of course, I knew he hadn't mistaken me for someone else.

He was just acting.

Watching his fleeing figure, the last shred of hope in my heart was extinguished.

The man I had once loved so deeply was now nothing more than a stranger.

Back home, I lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Suddenly, my phone rang.

It was my mom.

"Chloe, I'm sending someone to pick you up in three days. Are you ready?" Mom asked, her voice full of concern. "We've already tidied up your room. We're just waiting for you to come home."

I almost burst into tears. "I miss you guys too. Yes, I'm almost ready. I can leave in three days."

I had just hung up when the bedroom door was suddenly pushed open.

Liam strode in, his face thunderous. "You're leaving? Where are you going?"

I frowned and ignored him. But he snatched my phone and demanded, "Were you contacting those friends of yours again? How many times have I told you not to hang out with those shady people!"

I snatched my phone back, shouting, "What right do you have to dictate my life? I'm not your property! You've had me locked up in this house ever since I got out of the hospital."

"You won't let me go to my studio or even see my friends! How far are you planning to push me?"

Liam was stunned.

Panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "Chloe, I'm doing this for your own good. You haven't fully recovered yet. What if you faint outside again?"

I retorted coldly, "You don't need to worry about me. You should be worried about Olivia. As for me, my husband is dead. I have the right to decide my own life!"

Liam stared at me, his expression a mixture of hurt and disappointment.

After a long silence, he turned and left.

I collapsed to the floor, crying silently.

That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, the bedroom door was thrown open, and a tall figure stumbled in—it was Liam.

He reeked of alcohol.

He was clearly drunk.

He fumbled his way to the bed and gripped my hand tightly. "I love you, Chloe. I really do. Don't leave me, okay?"

His voice was choked with emotion.

I could feel the warmth of his palm.

But I pulled my hand away and looked at him coldly. "You're drunk."

He shook his head, his eyes hazy. "No, I'm not drunk. Do you know how much I love you, Chloe?"

"From the moment I left for that mission, I've been thinking about you. Every single day, I just wanted to see you."

"But I couldn't. Olivia is pregnant. I can't just abandon her. Can you forgive me, Chloe, please? Once she has the baby, I'll..."

He didn't finish his sentence before he leaned in, trying to kiss me.

I shoved him away and yelled, "Caleb! Sober up! I'm Chloe! Not Olivia!"

Just then, I heard footsteps at the door. Olivia walked in.

The moment she saw us, her expression twisted into a mask of pure venom.

I quickly composed myself and explained, "Caleb is drunk, Olivia. I think he mistook me for you."

"You should take him back to your room."

Olivia didn't say a word.

She glared at me coldly, then helped the stumbling Liam out of the room.