The Heart Knew Who It Truly Beat For

Micah's POV

My sister caught the eye of Gavin Roarke, the ruthless and temperamental leader of a powerful mafia clan.

But she already had someone she loved.

So, the day Gavin came to claim her, she drugged me unconscious and sent me in her place, since we looked exactly alike, down to the last eyelash.

Then she ran off overseas with her boyfriend and vanished without a trace.

As such, I was forced to marry Gavin. But I never treated him kindly, and he never truly cared for me either. To him, I was just a stand-in. When he was in a good mood, he’d toss me a sweet word. When he wasn’t, his hand was quicker than his smile.

Ten years later, my sister suddenly returned. She went straight to Gavin and told him I’d schemed against her all those years ago, that I’d pushed her into the river to take her place and marry him. She said she’d lost her memory because of me, and that’s why they’d been separated for a decade.

Gavin was so furious that he immediately ordered his men to lock me in the basement.

When my sister came to “visit,” she wrapped a chain around my neck and pulled it tight.

“Sorry, little sister,” she whispered, her face twisted with guilt and greed. “As long as you’re alive, my lie will never hold.”

Then, I died choking on my own breath, eyes wide open, filled with disbelief and hate.

When I opened them again, I was back on the very day Gavin came to claim my sister.

This time, I stepped forward and calmly said, “Sis, you can go with your boyfriend. I’ll marry Gavin instead.”

If destiny insisted someone had to be Gavin’s lover, then this time, it would be me.

——

“Mom, Dad, please! I don’t want to marry him!”

The voice of my sister, Mallory Crowe, was sharp with panic. Her crying was so close that it snapped me fully awake, making me realize I’d been reborn.

“I heard Gavin’s killed people without blinking,” she wailed. “They say he’s tortured women to death! If I marry him, it’ll be the end of me! More importantly, I already swore I’d only marry Colin. If I can’t be with him, then I’d rather die!”

My mother’s voice trembled as she sobbed, “But we can’t afford to offend Gavin. If you refuse, our whole family will be ruined.”

My father wiped his tears. “It’s my fault. I can’t even protect my own daughter. If they come for me, I’ll let them beat me to death. Maybe that’ll make them think twice.”

Mom glared at him. “Are you out of your mind? He’s the boss of the Black Swift Gang! Your life means nothing to a man like him!”

Before Mallory could say another word, I spoke up. “Sis, you can go with your boyfriend. I’ll marry Gavin instead.”

The room went dead silent. Everyone stared at me in shock, especially Mallory, whose eyes nearly popped out.

“We’re twins,” I continued evenly. “We look exactly the same. I’ll marry him in your place. He’ll never notice.”

Mom hesitated. “It’s noble of you to take her place, but Gavin’s not someone we can fool forever. What if he finds out one day? He’ll kill us all!”

But Dad finally made a decision. “Mallory, go. Take the money I’ve saved. That's half a million. You and Colin can go to Australia. The Roarkes’ reach won’t extend that far.”

When he said that, there wasn’t a hint of worry about me in their eyes, only relief that their beloved eldest daughter could escape.

As for me, the younger twin, I’d always been the expendable one.

Mallory thought for a long while before saying coldly, “Then let’s hold a fake funeral for Micah. Say she fell into the river and drowned. That way, when I disappear, no one will question it.”

Once the plan was set, they packed my things and sent me off to the Roarkes' car.

In my past life, I’d woken up terrified inside that car, full of hatred and fear. That resentment poisoned our entire marriage. For ten years, Gavin and I were nothing but enemies sharing a bed.

But truth be told, aside from the rumors, Gavin was handsome, strong, rich, and fiercely protective of his own.

So, marrying him, I’d actually climbed higher than anyone could imagine.

When he first met me, his eyes were dark and unreadable as he said, “I only have one rule. Do as I say.”