He Faked His Death I Faked My Love

On my wedding day, just after discovering I was pregnant, I received news of my fiancé Lorenzo De Luca's death in a yacht explosion.

I cried until my eyes were swollen shut, but I still clutched his family signet ring and insisted on completing the wedding ceremony alone.

The next day, Lorenzo's surviving twin brother, "Matteo De Luca," stormed the estate with Carina Gallo to cancel the engagement on his brother's behalf.

"Before he died, my brother said Carina was his one true love. He won't rest in peace unless she is welcomed into the De Luca family!"

While I was at my most vulnerable, "Matteo" shamelessly brought Carina into my bridal suite, and they took over the master bedroom. Their lewd moans echoed from the bedroom, spilling into the hallway.

On the very first day of my marriage, I was humiliated by my husband's twin brother and became the laughingstock of the entire family.

Later, I accidentally overheard their conversation.

"Lorenzo, you lied to Eliana and told her you were dead. What if she finds out?"

"She's such a fool, still completely convinced I'm 'dead.' Once she gives birth, we'll kick her out of the De Luca family."

It wasn't until then that I realized it wasn't Lorenzo who had died in the yacht explosion at all—it was his twin brother.

Later, I had an abortion and left him for good. But it drove him to madness, leaving him kneeling and begging for my forgiveness.

————————

1

"Lorenzo, you've already faked your death to get away from her. Why are you still keeping Eliana around? You haven't actually fallen in love with her, have you?"

"Don't be ridiculous. That explosion left me sterile."

"If she weren't pregnant with my child, I would have kicked her to the curb long ago."

"Carina, don't you worry. She's nothing more than a walking womb. Once the baby is born, it will be registered under your name. My heart will only ever belong to you."

A blush crept up Carina Gallo's cheeks. She tapped Lorenzo De Luca's chest playfully, then asked with some hesitation, "But… what about your brother? Do you really think you can keep this a secret from the Don and his wife forever?"

He was silent for a long moment before letting out a heavy sigh.

"I can only try. Papa always admired Matteo's talent for the legitimate side of our businesses and was planning to leave that part of the operation to him. If I hadn't struck first, then…"

My hands froze. The potted plant slipped from my hands, shattering on the floor.

So… the one who died in that yacht explosion wasn't Lorenzo at all, but his brother, Matteo De Luca!

"Eliana? Why are you up?" Lorenzo—no, "Matteo"—rushed out, his face a mask of panic.

"The flowers by Lorenzo's portrait wilted. I was just about to change them." Swallowing the lump of shock in my throat, I bent to pick up the shards, fighting to keep my voice steady.

"Are you sure you didn't hear anything?"

"I'm sure. I just got here, and the pot slipped."

A flicker of relief crossed his face, but his tone remained impatient.

"Before he passed, Lorenzo made it clear... he wanted you taken care of, especially since you're pregnant. Even though his heart belonged only to Carina."

"Next time, just have the maids do this. You should go back to your room and rest."

"And one more thing… stay away from our room."

I murmured a soft, "Alright," but my heart felt as if it were being shredded by claws.

Now I finally understood: he had returned under Matteo's name so he could be with her openly.

A dull ache pulsed in my lower abdomen, and my nails dug deep into my palms.

When I first heard of Lorenzo's death, I had defied my family's wishes, vowing to keep this child. Now, that same child felt like a cosmic joke.

I was nothing more than a vessel he had borrowed.

Five years of love, of devotion, of my life—all for a lie.

"Matteo, what are you doing talking to a widow? Aren't you worried about the bad luck?"

Carina appeared, draped in a flimsy silk nightgown. She leaned against the doorframe, a provocative glint in her eyes.

"Can't wait? Tonight, I'll give you everything you want."

"Matteo" pulled her into his arms, his hand sliding down to squeeze her waist possessively.

My heart seized.

That was his move—the exact same way Lorenzo would touch me.

The man tangled in the sheets with Carina—if he wasn't Lorenzo, who else could he be?

"Since Eliana loves to eavesdrop so much, let's give her a show."

The doors to the master bedroom's balcony were wide open. Soon, the air was thick with obscene gasps and the slick, slapping sound of flesh on flesh.

Beneath him, Carina writhed, her eyes darting toward me every so often, each glance a sharp, triumphant jab.

A wave of humiliation and pain ripped me from my daze. I wanted to flee the sordid scene, but my legs were rooted to the spot.

Five years ago, Carina had been sent abroad by her father.

A heartbroken Lorenzo had accepted my confession of love.

From that moment on, he had cherished me, vowing to make me his wife.

But on the day Carina returned, he abandoned me at our wedding and rushed to the airport to meet her.

Not long after, the news of his death arrived.

Our five years of love—nothing but an elaborate, carefully woven lie.

When their frenzied coupling finally ended, they lay panting and entwined, their naked bodies glistening.

"Had your fill? Matteo and I are going to get some rest."

By then, my face was streaked with tears.

Back in my room, I picked up my phone and typed a single line: Julian, I'm ready to go with you.