My parents adopted a kid, and I treated him like treasure.

Then he started looking uncannily like my husband, Brian. And I caught him whispering "Mom" to my sister, Ruby.

Yeah. Plot twist: Brian had been cheating on me the whole time.

With Ruby.

They played house behind my back, smiling for family pics—with my parents' blessing.

When the truth blew up, Ruby had the audacity to beg me to step aside. My parents told me to get over it.

And that kid I loved like my own? Told me I deserved to die.

But here's the kicker—Brian wouldn't even sign the divorce.

Dude broke down, said he still loved me, swore the kid was a mistake.

So I smiled and said, "Cool. You've got seven days. Prove it, and I'll forgive you."

He went full simp mode. Emptied his bank account, treated me like I was gold. Even kicked Ruby down and yelled at her to apologize.

Everyone thought I'd cave.

Then the cops called, asked him to ID a body—and Brian totally lost it.

He never knew I'd been dead this whole time.

The Reaper gave me one last week to say goodbye.

I died.

Yep—flat-out died while picking up a birthday gift for my foster brother, Alex.

The shoes he wanted had just dropped on Christmas Eve, and our tiny town was useless. So I told my husband, Brian, to take my sister, Ruby, home first to eat with my parents.

I snagged the shoes, started heading back... then bam—massive pileup.

While trying to get some kids out of a wrecked tour bus, a car exploded and blasted me off a cliff. Dead on impact.

The Reaper felt bad for me—said I didn't deserve to go out like that. Gave me seven days. One last shot to say goodbye.

When I came back, it was already dark.

I kept thinking—I wish I had wings. Maybe they were waiting.

But under the moonlight, as I got closer, I saw through the dining room window—

Alex, sitting between my parents. Brian and Ruby, side by side.

Red wine. Fancy food. Everyone dressed like they were starring in a holiday ad.

It was a six-seat table, but somehow, it felt like there was no room for a sixth.

Bitterness hit hard, and I hated myself for it.

They didn't know I was gone. Didn't blame me for being late on Christmas Eve. So why was I being so petty?

I was about to walk in—then I saw Ruby.

She leaned over to Brian, all soft-eyed and sweet.

"Brian, I made this scallion chicken just for you. Try it."

He didn't. Instead, he took her hand, frowning like some worried boyfriend.

"You always cut yourself when you cook. Why are you even in the kitchen?"

Ruby pouted. "You used to love it when Shiloh made this. I figured... if she could, I could too."

Brian's face shifted.

"No need. Shiloh was tough—so she could handle all the housework. You're not her, you're delicate."

Then he kissed her hand, slow and careful, like she might break.

I wasn't supposed to feel pain anymore—no heartbeat, no pulse—but right then, my chest twisted like something inside me ripped open.

Flashes of them together flooded my head.

Brian and I had both graduated from top schools in Carmoria. Stayed in Montedra City after.

Then three years ago, Ruby showed up, all wide-eyed and ambitious, saying she needed city work. Our parents dragged her to our door, laying on the guilt until I caved.

Brian said yes to keep the peace.

They never crossed any lines around me. Always bickering, acting like they couldn't stand each other.

I bent over backward trying to help them get along. Treated Brian like gold just to make it easier.

But now? All that fighting? Just a cover.

They knew I felt torn. Guilty. And they used it—used me—to sneak around and get closer behind my back.

The thought made my stomach flip. I felt sick.

I wanted to storm in, call them out, burn the whole lie down.

But then it got worse.

Alex stood up, all smiles. He pointed at the garlic butter shrimp and said to Ruby.

"Mom, here! Your favorite!"

That word—'Mom'—hit me like a slap. My ears rang.

My head snapped up.

Mom slapped a hand over Alex's mouth.

"What did I tell you? At home, she's your 'sister.'"

Dad just shrugged.

"So what? Shiloh's not coming back."

Alex's face lit up, full of smug little pride.

"She's probably still off buying shoes or something. Not coming back tonight! I'm calling them Mom and Dad—and I'm sleeping with them too!"

He turned to Brian. "Daddy, can I?"

Before Brian even opened his mouth, Ruby jumped in.

"Of course you can," she said. "I barely get to see you. I couldn't say no."

Then she turned to Brian with that pathetic look she always used.

"Brian, every time he calls, he begs to sleep with us. Just this once—don't say no, okay?"

Brian hesitated for like half a second before nodding.

"Alright."

Alex lit up.

"Yes! I get to sleep with Mommy and Daddy! I get to sleep with Mommy and Daddy!"

Ruby gave him this soft, sugary smile.

"Sleeping with Mommy and Daddy makes you that happy?"

Alex nodded hard, voice all small and pitiful.

"Of course! Mommy, Daddy, when are you gonna get married and take me to Montedra?"

Brian's face went dark.

Ruby jumped in fast.

"Alex, how many times has Mommy told you? If Mommy and Daddy were together, your aunt would be hurt. Don't ask that—it puts Daddy in a tough spot."

Then my dad chimed in, voice low.

"Kid just wants his parents together. Honestly? You two should just come clean to Shiloh."

My head buzzed. Every word echoed—sharp, clear, cruel.

But strung together? It felt unreal. Too twisted to process.

I looked at his face—Brian's face, just younger. Back then, I used to smile at the resemblance.

Once, I brought it up. My mom got weirdly defensive.

"What nonsense! Are you accusing your husband? Brian treats you so well. How could you doubt him?"

I panicked.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just thought... maybe he was meant to be part of our family."

Mom let out this big, fake sigh.

"Then it's fate. He was always meant to be ours."

And I believed it. I looked at that kid—with Brian's eyes, Brian's brows—and thought it was destiny.

But now? Now I see exactly how deep the lie went.

My husband had a kid with my sister—behind my back.

My parents knew. Covered for them. Helped raise him like it was normal.

They built this picture-perfect little family, all smiles and secrets.

And me? I treated that kid like he was my own.

But to him, I was just the "bad woman" who kept his parents apart.

Those shoes I stood in line for on Christmas Eve?

They were a setup—an excuse to keep me away.

What a sick, twisted joke.

Then Brian stood to grab something, glanced outside—and froze.

The cutlery hit the floor with a loud clang. A second later, he ran out, panic written all over him.

He stopped in front of me, voice shaking.

"Shiloh... when did you get back?"

Ruby clung to his side like she wanted me to choke on the sight.

But Brian didn't play her game. He shoved her off and grabbed my hand.

The second he felt how cold I was, he yanked me into his arms.

"Shiloh, why are your hands so cold?"

The faint gardenia scent on him hit me—Ruby's scent.

My eyes locked on the lipstick smudge on his neck.

"You're disgusting."

His face froze, like he'd never seen me look at him this way. For a second, I swear it actually hurt him.

I shoved him back and slapped him hard.

"Why her? Why my sister?"

Brian went pale. "You heard everything?"

Behind him, my parents and Alex slipped out the door.

I kept my voice cold. "That love child looks just like you."

Color rose in Brian's cheeks, but he still tried to spin it.

"I know I let you down. But the kid's innocent. He's not a love child—he's the child Ruby had for us."

I let out a sharp laugh. "For us?"

He nodded, dead serious.

"Yes. She was only eighteen. When she found out you couldn't get pregnant, she was scared I'd leave you. She offered to carry the baby for you. I refused at first, but I kept dreaming of Zara. I missed her so much, and I..."

The second he said 'Zara', my head filled with the baby girl I'd already been carrying.

If Brian hadn't been messing around behind the wheel that day, there wouldn't have been a crash.

No steel pipe ripping through me.

No stillborn Zara.

No hysterectomy.

Because of him, I lost my child. I lost every chance at another.

And now he stood there acting like cheating on me was some kind of sacrifice—like another woman giving birth made it my baby?

What kind of brain-dead logic even was that?

I glared straight through him.

"Enough. We're getting a divorce."

The second I said "divorce," Ruby lit up.

Alex clapped. "Finally! The bad lady's giving Dad back to Mom!"

Dad sneered. "She's always been a curse. Kept Brian tied up too long. Divorce him, let him marry your sister, and they can finally be a real family."

Mom stayed quiet, eyes dodging mine.

And yeah—I got the message loud and clear.

I'd been numb to their favoritism for years, but it still burned.

Ruby's eyes went watery. "Shiloh, I'm sorry. I messed up. But Alex needs his dad—"

Brian cut her off, snapping, "Shut up! When did I ever say I'd marry you?"

Ruby froze, face twisting in humiliation.

Brian ignored her, clutching my hand. "Babe, she drugged me. That's the only reason it happened. I begged her to end it, but she wouldn't. Then she vanished.

"When I found out Alex was already here, I freaked—I thought you'd leave me. So when your parents offered to take him in, I said yes.

"I owe Alex, but Ruby and I? There was nothing. I swear."

Ruby broke down, sobbing. "Brian, how could you—"

He cut her off with a vicious kick, knocking her into the snow. "Shut up! Apologize to Shiloh!"

Shaking, Ruby collapsed in the snow. "Shiloh, I'm sorry. I was selfish. I just wanted to help. You can't have kids, and Brian's amazing... I thought one day he'd get sick of you."

Dad jumped in fast.

"She's right. You should be thanking Ruby. If Brian won't leave you, then fine—stay the wife and let Ruby be the other. You're sisters, that way everyone wins."

He gave Brian a grin, then looked at Ruby with concern. "Brian, it's freezing. Don't leave Ruby like that. Help her up."

Alex's voice wavered. "Daddy..."

The ache in my chest cut deep.

So I asked the question that had haunted me forever. "Dad... am I even your daughter?"

His face snapped hard. "Watch your mouth, brat. Everything I do is for you, but you never see it. With that attitude, no wonder your life's a mess."

Mom sighed. "Shiloh, do you have to ruin Christmas Eve for everyone? Say sorry to your dad."

Sorry?

My eyes burned. "What did I even do wrong?"

She started to answer, but Brian jumped in. "Shiloh's right! What did she do wrong? She's the victim. We're the ones who should be apologizing!"

The room went dead quiet.

Brian squeezed my hands, voice shaking. "Baby, please. Believe me. I've only ever loved you."

I stared at him.

I should've screamed, cursed, hated him.

But what was the point?

Once I was gone, they'd still live it up, burning through the money I bled myself dry to make.

That thought alone fed the hatred inside me—like a seed cracking open into something sharp and poisonous.

And with it, a plan began to form.

I pulled one hand free, brushed his face.

He looked at me the way he used to—eyes soft, like he actually loved me.

My tears hit his skin. He cried too, like a dog scared of being left behind.

I gave him a faint smile. "I believe you."

Brian broke down, hugging me tight, mumbling thank-yous over and over.

I shot a glance at Ruby. She glared daggers, jaw tight—but she couldn't do a thing.

Brian promised to take me back to Montedra.

But Alex tugged at his sleeve, voice small. "Daddy... didn't you say you'd spend Christmas Eve with me?"

Guilt flickered across Brian's face. He turned to me. "Alex... he's innocent. What if we stay and celebrate with him first?"

I nodded, calm. "Alright."

He didn't expect me to give in that easily.

"Thank you," he said, relief all over his face. "Thank you for understanding."

But I wasn't being kind. I just didn't care anymore.

Standing outside that window, watching them play happy family, it hit me—

They were already rotting from the inside out.

So I stayed through Christmas week.

Ruby drifted in and out like a stranger.

Dad took Mom and Alex away, claiming they were off visiting relatives.

This was supposed to be my home.

Now they treated me like I was toxic.