Chapter 1
It began slowly. The memories didn’t flood in-they dripped, little by little, each time I skipped a pill, each time I caught Victor watching me too closely. Something about him always felt… off. My instincts had started whispering before my mind remembered anything.
Still, I played the part-smiling, obedient, affectionate. A perfect wife. At least, that’s what I let him think. I studied his reactions, how his hands lingered too long, how his eyes narrowed whenever I hesitated before swallowing those small, white pills.
Then came his announcement one evening, as he wrapped an arm around me like a noose. “We’re visiting your parents tomorrow,” he said, tone casual. “Helena’s trying on her dress, and she wants you there. Your mom and dad will be around too.”
Just hearing the word “parents” made my chest tighten. I forced a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. I nodded.
“Of course,” I said softly. But inside, I was unraveling.
On the way there, I sat quietly in the passenger seat, the view outside blurring. With every passing street, more pieces of my life returned. My memories were no longer shadows-I saw them clearly now.
Helena. My sister. My rival. She had always wanted what was mine-first my dolls, then my clothes, and finally… Diego. My Diego. We’d been together for years-four, maybe more. He was my world. Or at least, I thought he was.
I remembered the day I caught them. The way Helena smiled, smug and satisfied. How Diego stammered out excuses, lies that crumbled under the weight of the truth. My world collapsed. Worse still was the betrayal of my parents. I had assumed-foolishly-that they’d support me. But they hadn’t. They let Helena have him. Let her trample over my heart and walk away with everything I once held dear.
And now, as I looked back, I remembered the car crash. The screaming match in the car. Helena beside me. Her cruel words. My trembling hands on the wheel. The blinding lights. The screech of tires. The impact.
That was no random accident.
And after it all-after the pain and the fog-I had woken up in a hospital room with Victor at my side. A stranger who claimed to be my husband. And I, lost and broken, believed him.
For weeks, he cared for me. Or so I thought. I trusted him, leaned on him. I thought I was lucky to have someone like him. Until the night I discovered the truth.
Earlier that day, I had taken a pregnancy test. Two lines. A child. Our child. I was filled with joy, hope, love. I rushed to his office, eager to share the news.
But as I stepped through the doorway, the conversation I overheard shattered my world.
“So, you’re still pretending to be her husband?”
The voice was unfamiliar, belonging to one of his friends.
“What if she remembers?” he asked next.
Chapter 1
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Then came Victor’ voice-calm, calculated. “She won’t. She’s taking the meds like she’s
supposed to. She has no clue.”
My stomach twisted.
“I made sure of that,” he continued smoothly. “If she remembers, everything could fall apart. She could ruin Helena’s big day.”
Helena again. Why would I ruin her wedding?
“I’ll lie as long as I have to,” Victor sighed. “Even if she didn’t choose me, even if she’s marrying someone else… I’d rather give up my entire life than watch hers fall apart.”
Every word was a dagger. He hadn’t loved me. He had been using me-to protect her. Helena.
I wanted to barge in, demand answers. But I had no evidence. Only doubts. If I confronted him he’d gaslight me. Tell me I was confused. Smile, touch my cheek, and feed me more lies.
So instead, I walked away. That night, I didn’t take the pill.
And slowly, painfully, the truth returned to me.
Now, as I stood in my parents’ house, I kept my expression serene. Victor held my hand. My
houghts, however, were far from calm.
Then she appeared.
‘Liana!” Helena’s voice rang like a bell-too loud, too cheerful.
She glided toward me, hair perfectly curled, smile stretched wide and fake. “Come! I want you to
neet someone.”
She didn’t wait. Her fingers closed around mine and pulled me forward.
This is Diego,” she beamed, her hand proudly clinging to his arm. “My fiancé.”
Time stopped.
Diego. His eyes locked on mine. Dark. Blank. But behind that mask, something flickered-guilt? Recognition? Regret?
Whatever it was, it disappeared just as quickly as it came. He offered his hand.
Nice to meet you.”
Like I was a stranger.
My body moved before my mind caught up. I stepped in-too close-and leaned forward.
My lips met his.
Diego froze.
Helena gasped. “What the hell are you doing, kissing my fiancé?”
