The second the truth hit, I crumbled.

Everything went dark. Hope? Gone.

I stood outside the door, lips shaking, but no sound came—just tears.

Zachary's words cut deep, like a thousand stabs, stealing my breath.

My chest burned, then went cold.

I kept seeing him that morning, kissing my cheek like nothing was wrong.

Saying he couldn't live without me. Pressing my hand to his chest like his heart only beat for me.

But it was all fake.

When I got home, I still held on, thinking it was some stupid mix-up.

Then he said it—he couldn't live without both me and Cathryn.

That's when it clicked. Zachary didn't fall for one woman. He fell for two.

And he never planned to choose. He just wanted his childhood sweetheart and his side piece.

Our "wedding"? Just a private show.

The real marriage certificate? It had her name.

I wasn't his wife. I was just the other woman.

What a twisted game he played.

So this was the love behind all those sweet vows?

I remembered when Zachary climbed that huge tree just to pick me apples. Fell, broke both legs, still handed me one with a smile.

"Sierra, don't cry. If you eat it, it won't hurt anymore."

On my sixteenth birthday, he waited all night in the freezing cold, just so he'd be the first to give me the gift.

"Happy birthday, Sierra."

At my coming-of-age ceremony, he rented out the entire town square. Had drones spell out a message in the sky. Got down on one knee, holding flowers.

"Sierra, when you turn twenty, let's get married, okay?"

The day I flew overseas for college, he hugged me tight, eyes red, voice shaking.

"If you're not back in two years, I'm flying out to kidnap you."

After that, we FaceTimed every day.

One time, I got swamped with school and missed his call.

Ethan sent me a clip—Zachary, wasted, getting patched up in the ER.

He was lying there, broken.

"Sierra, I love you. I can't live without you."

I was so freaked out, I booked the next flight home.

Wanted to surprise him, so I kept quiet.

But when I opened his office door... he was kissing a girl who looked just like me.

I ran, crying, and he chased me for blocks.

Called nonstop. When I ignored him, the texts kept coming.

When I shut him out, he camped outside my place for three days, begging. "Sierra, I was drunk—I thought she was you.

"I missed you so much, I found someone who looked like you.

"I swear, it was just a kiss. Nothing else.

"I screwed up. But I love you so much, I saw you in her."

When he finally collapsed, weak and refusing to leave, I broke.

And I forgave him.

After that, things went back to normal—at least, that's what I told myself.

But once we got married, I noticed his assistant had changed.

Cathryn was back, even though she'd quit ages ago.

I was pissed. He smoothed it over.

"Her parents died. No degree. She had nowhere to go. She reapplied like everyone else. I couldn't just turn her away."

I let it slide. Because I loved him.

But all that patience? It just made me the idiot.

The side chick in a fake marriage.

I gave him everything—

And he left me with scars and a heart that'll never be whole again.

That night, I came home to find Zachary pacing the living room, totally on edge.

The second he saw me, he rushed over and grabbed my hand.

"Baby, where were you? You didn't answer your phone or text—I was losing my mind."

I stared at him, heart a mess. His panic felt real.

It reminded me of that college trip—my phone died, and he showed up hours away, frantic.

Back then, he loved me like I was his whole world.

But now? That love wasn't mine alone.

If I once had all of his heart, 90% was already gone.

The ache hit hard—every breath burned.

But I held it in.

I dropped my gaze, shoved everything down, and shrugged.

"Just went shopping. Phone was on silent."

Truth was, I just didn't want to pick up. My head was a mess.

He visibly relaxed and pulled me in.

"You scared me. I thought something happened. Just check your phone next time, okay?"

I nodded.

He kissed my neck, voice low.

"Come try the strawberries I got you—and the glazed ribs I made."

Then he let go and led me to the table.

I sat down and watched him pile ribs into a plate and set it in front of me.

I took a bite.

It was really good.

I used to be super picky, so he—once a hotshot CEO who'd never touched a spatula—spent half a month learning from a private chef just for me.

He picked up a strawberry, held it to my lips, face soft in the glow.

I opened my mouth and took it.

Every move was so gentle, so full of love.

Then his phone buzzed.

One glance, and his face changed. He stepped back.

"Baby, something urgent came up at work. Gotta handle it. Don't wait up, okay?"

I nodded.

Watched him rush out the door, and let out a quiet laugh.

I'd seen the screen.

It was Cathryn.

He lied—to go see her.

All those late nights at the office?

They were never about work.

After a pause, I followed him.

He didn't head to the office. He went to the hospital.

Outside the room, I peeked through the window.

He was holding Cathryn in his arms.

Furious, he snapped at the doctors.

"How do you treat my wife like this? You give her meds and she ends up vomiting?"

The doctor bowed, shaking.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Jurg. It's a side effect. We'll be more careful next time."

Zachary's voice cut like ice.

"If it happens again, this hospital's done."

They scattered.

My chest tightened.

He'd rented out an entire hospital for her over a stomach issue.

He really cared.

I waited in the shadows till the hallway cleared, then stepped closer.

Cathryn looked so fragile, face streaked with tears, curled into his chest.

He gently rubbed her stomach.

"Feeling better?"

She winced, full of guilt.

"I'm sorry, Zachary. My body's such a mess. Now you missed time with Ms. Arden because of me. I must be a curse."

"Don't say that," he said softly, even as he scolded her. "If you're sick, I should be here."

"But... what about Ms. Arden?"

His voice went cold. "Don't mention her. Just get better. I'll handle it."

Then came the dagger.

"She's only my partner in name. You and I... we're the real thing. Of course I should be with you."

I froze. Every drop of blood turned to ice.

My heart sank like it was full of lead.

Zachary had said it.

Cathryn was his wife.

I was just... a game.

Disposable.

For the first time, I was scared. Too scared to keep watching.

I ran.

Later, he texted.

[Baby, I have to go on a business trip for a few days. Don't be mad—I'll make it up to you when I'm back.]

I stared at the screen, tears falling, hands shaking as I typed—

[Are you really on a business trip? Or just spending time with your wife?]

But I didn't send it.

I just cried.

Then deleted it.

One word at a time.

What was the point in exposing him?

Could I really take back someone who betrayed me?

No.

I couldn't.

But still...

My heart was wrecked.

And I'd never felt so alone.

***

Four days later, Zachary showed up with a massive bouquet and that fake-soft smile. "Baby, I'm home."

I stared at him, blank.

He stalled, then shoved the flowers into my arms. "Don't be mad. Work's been insane. I wouldn't have bailed otherwise."

I dropped the bouquet on the table. "Not mad. If you've got work, go do it."

He blinked, thrown off by how chill I sounded. Then he brushed my cheek and grabbed my hand. "I've got a surprise. Let's go."

Didn't wait for an answer—just pulled me straight to the car.

Ten minutes later, we pulled up at a theater.

The second I stepped inside, it hit me—the whole place was reserved. And every face there? Familiar.

Whispers kicked in fast.

"There she is. Perfect couple, huh?"

"Mr. Jurg really went big—rented out the whole theater for Mrs. Jurg."

"She's into plays, so he flew in some international troupe just for her."

"Everyone knows he spoils his wife. Classic Jurg move."

The room buzzed with envy. Zachary clutched my hand like he was the dream husband.

All I could do was laugh inside.

My chest felt iced over. Frozen solid.

This grand public love story? Total act. Behind the scenes, the real title belonged to someone else.

He gave me a fake name, a fake life—while legally tying himself to another woman.

What a sick joke.

As soon as I sat down, a sharp cramp hit my lower stomach. I pressed a hand there.

Zachary clocked it. "Period? Hurting bad?"

I nodded. "Need some stuff."

He didn't miss a beat—hand on my stomach, rubbing gently, then pulling out his phone to order painkillers and hygiene stuff.

The whole time, he kept massaging, handed me warm water, acting like I was still his world.

Then someone came rushing up behind us.

We both turned.

Cathryn.

She was smiling, but she looked like a wreck—soaked clothes, pale face. "Mr. Jurg, I brought what you asked for."

Zachary frowned. "Why you? I told someone else. It's pouring out—and you're not well. Why push yourself?"

She bit her lip, all soft and wounded. "Everyone else was busy. I didn't want you and Ms. Arden waiting too long... so I came."

Then she handed me the bag, tone icy, eyes throwing shade.

"Ms. Arden, maybe next time bring your own stuff. Kinda overkill to send the company scrambling for something so minor."