His Death Certificate, Her New Life

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.

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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.