Five Years as a Stand-In Wife, Then He Chose my Sister

For five years, I wore a ring that never led me down an aisle.

There were no white dresses, no flower petals scattered across the floor, no friends and family gathered in tidy rows. No vows spoken under soft lighting. Just a thin band of metal and a piece of paperwork my husband, Damien, had arranged for us. Or so he said.

We never once stood inside a marriage hall. He kept promising wed fix it later, that hed take care of the legal details once things settled down. But later never arrived.

I remembered it clearly just a week ago.

I was folding the laundry in our room, carefully smoothing the wrinkles from his shirts, when I finally gathered the courage to ask.

Damien do you think maybe this year, we could finally have the ceremony? I said as lightly as I could, pretending my voice wasnt shaking. For our fifth anniversary maybe? Just do it properly?

He didnt even lift his eyes from his laptop.

Why? he replied flatly. Were already married. A ceremony is just for people who need attention.

But you told me we would someday, I murmured. You said when everything stopped being so tight

His fingers paused over the keyboard.

And now youre acting like a kid, he snapped without looking at me. Drop it, Talia. We dont have money to waste on that nonsense.

Like I always did, I swallowed it.

I let the silence sit between us. I let my disappointment sink down deep where it wouldnt bother him.

But todaytoday was different.

Today marked five years since the day I thought we became husband and wife. Damien told me he couldnt celebrate. Said work had piled up and he couldnt free up even an hour. Meetings, deadlines, pressure. I didnt argue. I never do.

I convinced myself it was fine. I told myself it wasnt about attention or parties.

I planned to make his favorite dishes instead. To light a candle or two. Maybe play soft music while I waited for him to come home.

It wasnt a grand celebration, but it was still something. My quiet way of honoring what I believed we had built even without witnesses, even without vows.

So I went to the market early.

I walked slowly through the stalls, choosing vegetables with care, checking the meat twice, holding each item as though it mattered. I even bought a bouquet of white lilies the kind he once mentioned he liked back when he visited my old apartment for the first time.

I held them close to my chest the entire walk home, feeling ridiculous for feeling excited when hed so casually brushed me off.

I was only a block away from our place when I passed the city hall.

I wasnt planning to look.

I had no reason to stop.

But something twisted in my chest a strange tug, like a warning I didnt understand. My steps slowed. My body turned before my mind caught up.

And that was when I saw them.

Damien.

And Bianca.

My sister, who had vanished five years ago without a trace.

They walked out of the building side by side, her arm looped through his, laughing softly like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I went completely still.

The grocery bags slipped in my hands. The lilies almost fell.

Bianca had a document in her hand.

A marriage certificate.

My stomach dropped.

Her voice floated toward me, soft and unsure.

Are you sure this is okay? she asked him. What about Talia? Shes still your wife, isnt she?

Damiens reply came fast. No pause. No guilt.

I dont care about her, he said. That wasnt a real marriage. Thats why I never brought her to register it properly. This one? This is real. And now that youre back, Ill deal with her soon.

My ears rang.

Biancas voice trembled. You mean it? You still care about me? Even after I ran away from you? I thought youd hate me. I was so scared back then.

He turned toward her, smiling softly a smile I used to think was only meant for me.

It was always you, he said. You dont have to feel guilty. I know why you left. You werent ready. Thats all. You are now.

He leaned in and kissed her.

My breath caught painfully in my throat.

She pulled back just enough to whisper, And my sister? Did you ever have real feelings for her?

He let out a short, dismissive laugh.

Never, he said. She was just useful. She looked like you. That made things easy. She was warm at night. Thats all she was.

The air left my lungs.

The ground felt like it tipped sideways.

Five years ago, that wedding was supposed to belong to them.

Bianca and Damien.

Everyone had flown in. The venue was dressed in white and gold. The dress was fitted. The guests were waiting.

And then she vanished.

No message. No warning. No explanation.

Gone.

Damien had been wrecked. Id found him in a bar that same night, drunk and shaking, staring into a glass like the world had ended.

I sat beside him.

I listened.

I stayed.

When he cried, I didnt move away.

When he leaned closer, I didnt push him back.

And when his lips found mine, I didnt stop him.

A week later, he asked me to marry him.

I said yes.

I thought I was helping him survive heartbreak.

I thought I was choosing love.

I thought I had become important.

But standing there, hidden behind a pillar outside city hall, I finally understood.

Every touch.

Every whisper in the dark.

Every soft I love you.

It had all been borrowed. Rehearsed. Fake.

And then, as if it wasnt enough

Two more voices cut through the air.

Marcus. And Elliot.

My older brothers.

You already got the certificate? Marcus asked Damien, his voice bright with approval. Didnt waste any time, huh?

Elliot laughed. What about the actual ceremony? We should just make sure Talia doesnt hear anything yet. Shell make a whole dramatic mess. Maybe we can ship her off somewhere first.

My fingers curled around the wall beside me. The stone bit into my skin.

Marcus added casually, We should just handle her soon. Shes too unstable.

They laughed.

All of them.

The same brothers who had once cursed Bianca for leaving. The same ones who swore theyd always stand by me.

Now they were laughing about how to erase me.

A strange numbness washed through my body.

I wasnt just unwanted.

I was ridiculous. A placeholder. A joke.

I turned away.

My feet moved without me thinking.

I ran.

Past the gates.

Past the shops.

Past the stinging sound inside my ears.

My chest burned. My vision swam. The world narrowed into noise and blurred sidewalks.

I couldnt hear anything clearly.

Except

A horn.

A scream of brakes.

And then

Impact.

The world folded in on itself.

And everything went black.

Pain was the first thing that greeted me when my eyes finally opened.

It spread slowly, crawling through my body like fire under the skin a dull, throbbing ache in my arms, a sharp, biting agony in my leg. I tried to push myself upright out of pure instinct, but before I could, a nurse hurried to my side and gently pressed a hand against my shoulder.

Easy, she said in a calm, steady voice. You were in an accident. Your ankle is fractured, and youve got a few other minor injuries. You shouldnt be moving yet.

An accident?

The word echoed in my head.

And then everything crashed back in Damien. Bianca. The paper in her hands. My brothers laughing. The way my chest felt like it was tearing itself apart. Running. The sound of a horn. Blinding lights.

The truck.

My throat tightened as I swallowed. How long have I been here?

Almost twenty-four hours, she replied while checking the machine beside my bed. Then her movements slowed. Her eyes softened. Theres something else I need to tell you.

My heart started to pound harder. What is it?

She hesitated only a second. You were about two months along. Im so sorry the impact caused you to lose the pregnancy.

The words didnt make sense at first.

I stared at her. Pregnant?

She nodded and gave my hand a small, careful squeeze.

I didnt even know, I whispered. I had no idea

My mind went strangely quiet, but inside my chest, something cracked open again worse than before. In one single day, Id lost everything I never even got a chance to hold.

Would you like me to contact someone for you? the nurse asked gently.

My thoughts went to Damien. My husband. The man who had just registered a marriage with my sister. Then to Marcus and Elliot the brothers who used to swear theyd protect me, who had laughed about disposing of me like I was trash.

But I couldnt bear to be alone.

I need my phone, I said hoarsely.

She placed it in my hand, and the first number I dialed was Damiens.

No answer.

I tried again.

The number you have dialed is unavailable

Again.

Nothing.

The tears came without warning. He wasnt coming. None of them were. Bianca was back and I had already been erased.

The nurse returned a little while later and set a small basket on the table.

Someone left this for you, she said softly. Food, some flowers. He said he was a friend a doctor who helped bring you in.

I frowned. A doctor?

She nodded. He didnt want his name mentioned. Just asked me to tell you to rest.

After she left, I stared at the tray. My stomach turned at the smell of food, and I pushed it aside. Instead, my fingers moved to my phone. I opened social media, desperately searching for something. Regret. Worry. Proof I hadnt been completely abandoned.

Thats when I saw it.

Pictures.

Videos.

Marcus. Elliot. Damien. Bianca.

All smiling like nothing in the world was wrong. Cotton candy in their hands. Churros. Bright lights. In front of the Disneyland castle like some postcard-perfect family.

The caption read:

Finally a real family trip. Long overdue!

My chest tightened so hard I thought I might stop breathing.

Real family?

Then what had I been all these years?

I cried until my eyes burned, until my voice turned raw, until there was no strength left in me.

By morning, the buzzing of my phone pulled me out of an exhausted, empty sleep.

Damien.

I stared at his name for a long moment before answering.

Talia! His voice sounded frantic, almost panicked. Why didnt you tell us you were in the hospital? Why didnt you say something?!

Us.

Before I could respond, the door opened.

Damien walked in, with Marcus and Elliot right behind him, all three wearing carefully crafted expressions of worry.

We came as fast as we could, Elliot said, moving to my side and adjusting my pillow as if hed always been there.

I only saw your missed call last night, Damien added. You shouldve kept trying.

I looked at them quietly. Where were you?

Business, Damien answered too quickly, barely meeting my eyes. You know how it goes.

No, I dont.

Because it was our anniversary.

Because you married my sister.

Because you replaced me without a second thought.

But I stayed silent.

Im here now, he said more softly, brushing my hair back from my face. Im not going anywhere.

I turned my head away. I need the restroom.

You cant walk yet, he said immediately. Ill help you.

He carefully lifted me into his arms, and for a brief, dangerous second, it felt like I was back in the past like the man I had once loved hadnt disappeared.

Then the illusion shattered.

Marcus burst through the door.

Hey! Help! he shouted. Bianca fainted!

Damiens entire body went rigid.

What?

She collapsed, Marcus said again, louder this time.

And just like that, Damiens arms loosened.

He let go.

I hit the floor with a cry, my back slamming hard against the cold tiles, my injured ankle screaming in pain.

He didnt look back.

Not even once.

He ran straight out of the room, already calling Biancas name.

I curled inward, shaking, humiliated, and broken, until a different pair of arms carefully lifted me from the floor.

I blinked through the tears and looked up

Dark hair.

Warm, familiar brown eyes.

Julian? My voice came out as barely a whisper.

The doctor I once knew. The one who once cared. The one who vanished without explanation.

A soft smile touched his lips.

Still tripping over things? he murmured gently.

My throat tightened. I couldnt speak.

He brushed a loose strand of hair away from my cheek.

Then, quietly, earnestly, he said, Talia do you want to disappear with me?

I ended up staying at the hospital far longer than I ever expected.

Part of it was the broken ankle that still throbbed no matter how still I tried to be. But the real reason was simpler, quieter, and somehow more painful there was no one waiting to take me home.

No one, except Julian.

Julian, who had once sat beside me in college lecture halls. Julian, who had confessed his feelings years ago, only to be turned down gently because my heart already belonged to someone else. To Damien.

And somehow, now, he was the one holding my hand when the nights felt too long. He brought meals I could actually stomach. He stayed silent when I cried, never pressing, never demanding. He showed up without making me feel like I owed him something.

On the morning they told me I could finally go home, he wheeled me out to the small garden behind the hospital. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, warm and gentle. We sat without talking for a while, listening to the soft whisper of wind through branches.

I wasnt joking before, Julian said at last, watching me carefully. You dont have to go back there. If you choose to leave Ill help you start over.

I looked down at my hands.

Theyd grown thinner. A little shaky. They looked like hands that had held on too long and finally loosened their grip.

I need a few days, I said softly. Five. I have things to fix things to settle. After that, if youll still have me Ill go with you.

His smile was quiet and bittersweet. Ill be right where you left me.

---

By the time I reached home, the sun was already high.

The world felt cruelly normal bright light, passing cars, neighbors sweeping their doorsteps while a storm twisted tight in my chest.

The hospital cane knocked lightly against the pavement as I limped toward the door. Every step sent a reminder through my body that I wasnt whole yet.

Choosing Julian felt like stepping into the unknown.

But staying in a house where no one saw me at all felt worse.

I pushed the door open.

Laughter met me before anything else.

I froze where I stood.

In the living room, they were all there Damien, Marcus, Elliot and Bianca. Sitting casually, drinks in their hands, like nothing around them had ever broken. Bianca leaned comfortably against Damiens shoulder, her head tilted toward him.

My husband.

My sister.

My brothers.

All together.

All at ease.

Their faces shifted the second they saw me.

Oh, Damien said, blinking like hed forgotten I existed. Right youre home today. How are you feeling?

Forgot. Hed forgotten.

The urge to laugh rose up sharp and ugly in my throat. None of them had bothered to see me once.

Before I could speak, Bianca was already on her feet, moving toward me with a bright, practiced smile.

Tal, she said sweetly. I missed you. Im so sorry we didnt come visit Ive just been so unwell. But Im doing better now. What about you? Are you okay?

I stepped back without thinking. My skin crawled.

Im not fine, I said flatly.

Her smile flickered. Confusion crossed her face before she reached out to touch me again.

Talia

I shoved her hand away.

Dont put your hands on me.

Elliot was on his feet in a second.

Whats wrong with you? he snapped. You know shes fragile right now.

Marcus followed him. Shes been suffering. You dont get to act like this.

My voice broke through the room, sharper than I felt.

And what about me? I was in the hospital. I was hit by a truck.

Damien sighed like Id inconvenienced him.

That was your fault, he said. You ran into the road. But Bianca she has cancer. Shes not like you.

Im still her sister, Bianca said softly, eyes shining like glass. Were both hurting. We should be supporting each other, not fighting

I shook my head.

I was hurting too, I said. But none of you came. Not once. I lost my baby and

Bianca staggered suddenly, a hand flying to her stomach.

Oh my god, Elliot breathed, rushing to her side. Shes getting sick again.

They moved instantly.

Damien caught her before she could fall.

Marcus was already grabbing a towel.

Elliot rubbed her back softly like shed shatter if he touched too hard.

And I stood there.

Unseen.

Unheard.

Invisible again.

They didnt even acknowledge what Id just said. I thought about shouting it. Forcing them to listen. But the exhaustion in my bones told me what I already knew I was fighting for space in a place that had never saved a seat for me.

So I turned away.

I walked, slowly, painfully, toward the bedroom.

When I opened the door, I stopped breathing.

Everything that was mine was gone.

My clothes.

My framed photos.

The small trinkets Id carefully arranged.

All replaced.

Biancas perfume on the air. Her makeup spread across the dresser. Her dresses hanging neatly by the mirror.

My hands shook so badly the cane nearly slipped from my fingers.

I stepped back and she was standing there.

Bianca.

Smiling.

Not the sweet, fragile smile she wore in front of others.

This one was sharp.

Honest.

Cruel.

You know, she said lazily, tilting her head, I really tried to be kind before. I did. But being kind never got me anything. While I was gone, you stepped right into my life. My place. My man. Even my brothers.

She stepped closer.

Im just taking back what was always mine. I shouldve done it five years ago.

There was no warmth in her eyes.

Only satisfaction.

She gave me a look filled with fake sympathy.

Dont worry, she added lightly. Ill give you a few days to sort yourself out. Im not heartless. Id hate for you to end up sleeping on the streets. That wouldnt look good for us.

I stared at her.

My voice was low. Are you really sick?

Her eyes narrowed at once.

What do you think?

But memories flashed through my mind the way she used to fake fainting spells, clutching her head just to avoid chores. The way shed cry to our parents about imaginary pain if it got her sympathy.

You think Im pretending? she said louder, enough to carry beyond the door.

I didnt answer.

I didnt have to.

Footsteps rushed down the hallway.

Marcus and Elliot appeared.

Shes doing it again, Bianca cried immediately. She keeps saying Im faking. She thinks my cancer isnt real.

Elliots face hardened when he looked at me.

Youve always been poisonous, he spat. No one ever liked you when we grew up. This is why.

Marcus stepped forward.

He grabbed the chain at my neck and yanked.

The necklace fell into his hand the one hed given me when we were teenagers. The one he said meant hed always stand by me.

You dont get to wear this anymore, he said coldly.

I didnt fight back.

I didnt cry.

I just stood there, feeling strangely empty.

One by one, they left.

And I slowly lowered myself to the floor, my side aching from standing too long, my ankle screaming in quiet protest.

I stayed quiet.

Because in a few days, I would be gone.

And when they realized what theyd done

It would already be too late.

I was finishing up the last of my packing, smoothing folded clothes into a half-zipped suitcase, when the doorbell rang.

For a second, I paused. My heart jumped. Julian?

I checked my phone. No missed calls. No messages. With a slow breath, I headed toward the front door.

A large white box rested neatly on the welcome mat, wrapped in a wide gold ribbon. It was heavy. Elegant. My name was written across the top in bold, flowing calligraphy. No card. No explanation.

Just my name.

Curiosity pulled at me as I carried it inside. I placed it on the table, sat down, and slowly lifted the lid.

My breath caught.

Inside was a wedding dress.

Not just any dress my dress.

The exact style I had sketched years ago, back when I still believed Damien and I would stand at an altar someday. Ivory silk that caught the light softly. Lace sleeves so fine and delicate they looked like theyd dissolve at a touch. I reached out, hands trembling, and brushed my fingers over the bodice.

A small tag had been stitched on the inside.

Talia embroidered by hand in gold thread.

My vision blurred.

Was this real?

Was this him?

For a heartbeat, my mind ran wild with dangerous hope. After all the distance. The coldness. The betrayal. Was this Damiens way of saying sorry? Was he finally ready to give me what hed taken away? Was he ready to make things right without saying a word?

I let myself believe it.

Just for a moment.

I stepped into the gown, careful and slow, holding my breath as the fabric fell against my skin like it had been waiting for me. It fit almost too perfectly. I turned toward the mirror, hands pressed against my chest, eyes shining with fragile, foolish hope.

Thats when the door flew open.

Talia, what the hell do you think youre doing?!

I jumped.

Damien stood there, his face dark with anger and disbelief. He crossed the room in long strides and grabbed the fabric at my shoulder, yanking it away so roughly it almost tore.

Why are you wearing that dress?

I My voice shook. Isnt this for me? My name is on it. Its the design I made. The one I dreamed of. I thought maybe we were finally having a real wedding?

A sharp, humorless laugh left him.

Wedding? Have you lost your mind? Were already married.

Then why send this here? I whispered, my throat tight.

Its not for you, he snapped, brushing his hands over the fabric like he was cleaning it. Its for Bianca. Shes always wanted a ceremony. A real one. Were giving her that. She deserves it. Shes sick.

My body went cold.

Shes sick, he repeated, like that single sentence explained everything.

She wants to walk down the aisle, he went on. Wear the dress. Have the wedding she was supposed to have five years ago. This was her dream.

But it was mine too, I said quietly. I designed it. That was my sketch. Why give her something that belonged to me?

Voices came from behind him.

Marcus and Elliot stepped into the room.

What are you two shouting about? Marcus asked. His eyes landed on the dress and he scoffed. Oh. That. Come on, Talia, youre not dying. Let her have it. If she likes your design, you can just make another one.

Elliot nodded like that settled everything.

You always turn things into drama, he said. Just let her have this one day. At least she deserves that much.

She deserves my dream? The words barely came out.

Bianca appeared in the doorway, wrapped in a soft shawl, playing the part of fragile perfectly.

Im sorry, she said softly, her voice trembling. I just I just want to be a bride. I want to walk down the aisle once before She stopped, letting the sentence hang. Her eyes filled with the same tears shed used since we were children. I wont take him from you forever. Just for a moment. Just let me borrow him.

I stared at her.

At all of them.

Something inside me went very still.

Youre all unbelievable, I said quietly.

Biancas lips trembled.

Do whatever you want, I continued, my voice flat. Have your ceremony. Take the dress. Use my design. Borrow my husband. Take everything. Im done.

I turned and walked out.

My legs felt numb, but my chest burned like it was being carved open.

Back in my room, I opened drawers, closets, boxes. I pulled out shirts, photos, old letters every piece of the girl I used to be. Every soft memory Id guarded. I carried them outside one by one.

Behind the house, there was an old metal barrel.

I dropped it all inside.

And I lit the match.

Flames rose quickly, hungry and bright. Smoke twisted upward, carrying everything Id once believed in. I watched the fire eat through photos of Damien and me, through handwritten love letters, through the old wedding dress sketches I thought Id one day wear.

I remembered my brothers promising to protect me. I remembered believing I belonged there. I remembered Bianca clinging to my arm, whispering that I was her favorite.

It was all a lie.

Every single bit of it.

And as the last fragile page of my sketchbook curled into ash, arms wrapped around me from behind.

Tal, Damien murmured. His voice was low, close, breath warm at my ear. Im sorry. I know this hurts. I didnt want things to go this far. Just do this for her. Shes sick. Youre stronger than this. You can handle it.

I said nothing.

Let me make it up to you, he whispered. Tomorrow, just us. A proper date. Ill fix everything. I swear.

I was too tired to argue.

Fine, I said quietly.

His breath left in relief.

Thank you, he said, pressing a soft kiss into my hair.

That night, I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to bury the ache in my chest.

But just as I began to drift

Talia! Get up!

I sat upright, heart pounding.

Damien was at my bedside, eyes wide and urgent.

We need your blood, he said quickly. Your sister needs a transfusion. Youre a match.

My throat went dry.

What?

Shes deteriorating, he said, already grabbing my arm. Dont make this difficult. Be useful for once. Be her blood bank.

No. My voice came out steady as I pulled my arm back. Im not giving her my blood.

Damiens expression darkened immediately. Dont do this again, Talia. She has leukemia. She needs transfusions. Youre compatible.

That isnt my problem, I replied, refusing to budge. Im not the only one barely holding it together.

Marcus stepped closer, jaw tight. How can you be this selfish? Shes dying, Talia.

She isnt dying, I shot back. Shes pretending, like she always did when we were kids just to avoid chores and homework.

Elliot raised his voice. Thats enough. You sound crazy.

Before I could react, hands were on my arms.

All of them.

I struggled. I kicked. I twisted. But I was still weak, still bruised, still exhausted and there were three of them. They dragged me outside like I didnt belong to myself anymore, shoved me into the car, and drove straight to the hospital.

I barely had time to breathe.

Within an hour, I was strapped down.

No one asked for my consent.

No one listened when I begged them to stop.

Needles. Tubes. Bags filling with dark red liquid while nurses exchanged uneasy looks at the number of vials being ordered.

The world tipped sideways.

And then everything went black.

---

When I woke up, I felt empty.

Like someone had scooped the life out of me and left the shell behind. My limbs were heavy. My chest felt cold. My head spun as my eyes adjusted to the light.

The first face I saw was the last one I ever wanted.

Bianca.

She sat beside my bed, holding a small tray.

Youre awake, she said softly. I brought you something to eat.

For a split second, my heart almost believed her.

Then everything came rushing back.

I swiped the tray away. The plate hit the floor with a sharp crash.

The door flew open.

Damien. Elliot. Marcus.

Whats wrong with you? Marcus barked. She went through the trouble of bringing you food.

Youre unbelievable, Damien added. Shes trying to fix things and you act like this?

You forced me! I shouted, my throat burning. You held me down and took my blood!

Talia Bianca murmured, her voice trembling. Please dont be like this. Youre my sister. I only wanted peace between us.

She stepped closer and leaned in as if to hug me.

Her lips brushed my ear.

You see it now? she whispered sweetly. Theyve already chosen. So behave.

My body went still. Damiens stare turned sharp. Apologize. Now.

My hands clenched the sheets. I didnt do anything wrong.

Elliot stepped forward slightly. Careful. My throat tightened.

Fine, I said quietly. Im sorry.

Not because I meant it.

Because I didnt have the strength to keep fighting.

They relaxed. Satisfied. Like theyd corrected something broken.

I closed my eyes and turned my face to the wall, pretending to sleep, pretending I couldnt hear Biancas soft fake crying or my brothers murmured comfort.

I stayed that way until they finally left.

---

That night, my phone buzzed.

Julian: Tomorrows the day. Are you still in?

I stared at the screen and typed back.

Yes.

---

The following morning, I didnt want to leave the hospital.

My body still ached. My heart felt worse. Every part of me wanted to disappear.

But Damien didnt ask. He told me.

Were doing this, he said coldly. You owe it to Bianca. You promised. Stop acting like a child.

So I went.

Not because I wanted to.

Because saying no only meant more yelling, more blame, more guilt shoved down my throat like bitter medicine.

I wore a soft, pale dress the same one from our very first date. Back when I believed in things like forever. Back when he held my hand like it meant something. Back when I thought I mattered.

He said to meet him at a restaurant.

Just us. To fix things. So I waited.

I arrived early. I wasnt sure if I hoped hed show up or if I hoped he wouldnt.

The waitress brought water.

Then came back. Then came back again. Minutes turned into an hour. Then another.

Ill be waiting for someone, I told her with a small smile. He should be here soon.

He wasnt. Neither were Marcus or Elliot.

I checked my phone. Nothing.

The water got warm. The music changed. My back started to hurt from sitting too straight, for too long.

I kept looking at the door.

Maybe now. Maybe now. Then my phone vibrated.

Bianca.

Of course.

Bianca: Looks like they cant make it, sister. Theyre busy with me. Enjoy your dinner alone.

Below the message were photos of them together.

Once, I wouldve cried. This time, I didnt.

---

I stood up calmly and called the manager over.

I need to leave a few things here, I said.

From my bag, I placed a small bundle of papers on the table.

A copy of our fake marriage certificate. The hospital report confirming the loss of my baby. The ring hed given me five years ago.

If he comes asking, I said quietly, tell him Talia Ashcroft doesnt exist anymore.

I turned and walked out.

The bell above the door chimed once, clean and final.

---

Julian was already waiting on the sidewalk.

Just like he promised.

He stepped toward me and held out his hand.

Ready?

I nodded. Completely.

He led me to the car, and we drove straight for the airport.

Inside the car, I looked at my phone old photos, old messages, names that no longer meant anything.

I opened the SIM tray. I removed it. I dropped it into a bin.

Gone.

As I boarded the plane beside Julian, a calm I hadnt felt in years settled into my chest.

Tomorrow, they might notice Im gone. They might panic. They might search.

But they will never find me.

Never again.

The house was unusually quiet when Damien, Bianca, Marcus, and Elliot returned late that night. Laughter echoed in the hallway as they fumbled with the lock, still basking in the glow of their late-night outing. They had gone out for drinks after dinner, enjoying themselves far more than they probably should have.

Damien stepped inside first, flicking the light switch.

Nothing.

The hallway remained bathed in shadows.

What the hell? Damien muttered, flicking the switch again. The lights finally blinked onand the living room came into full view.

It was a mess. Pillows scattered on the floor. Dishes still on the table. A faint trail of mud leading from the door. The entire house looked like it hadnt been touched all day.

The fuck is this? Damien growled, stepping inside. Talia! What the hell is this?!

No answer.

He made a move to rush toward the stairs, but Bianca stopped him, her hand on his arm. Come on, she said with a light laugh. Dont ruin the night. Shes probably just sulking again. Sleeping, maybe.

She always does this when she wants attention, Marcus added, removing his shoes carelessly.

Elliot chuckled. Yeah, man, just let her be. Shell clean this up in the morning like she always does.

Damien hesitated. But this mess

Bianca tugged his arm gently. Come to bed with me, she whispered, pressing her lips to his ear. Dont let her ruin our night. Then she laughed softly, adding, Shes probably just pouting somewhere, pretending to be important. You know how dramatic she can be.

Damien didnt argue after that. With one last glance toward the stairs, he let himself be pulled into the room by Bianca.

Once inside, Bianca unzipped her dress slowly, letting it fall with theatrical grace. You know, she purred, sliding her arms around his neck, this room used to be hers, didnt it? She smirked, tilting her head. Poor thing. Must be hard to realize shes been replaced even in bed.

Moments later, laughter turned into moans.

And while the rest of the house remained dark and disordered, behind that closed door, Damien and Bianca indulged in their pleasurecompletely forgetting about the woman who was once his wife, her presence erased with every kiss and whispered mockery.

The next morning, the sunlight pierced through the curtains.

Damien groaned, blinking into the brightness, then shot up. Shit! he muttered. My meeting!

Bianca stirred lazily beside him, still under the covers. What meeting?

You didnt wake me up! he barked.

She yawned, stretching her arms. I didnt know I was supposed to.

He flung the sheets off and began pulling on his pants. Talia shouldve woken me upwhere the hell is she?

He stomped into the hallway. Talia! he yelled, but there was no reply.

His brow furrowed.

He checked her room.

Empty.

No sign of her.

Thats when Marcus and Elliot emerged from their rooms, still in their pajamas.

Whats up? Marcus asked, rubbing his eyes.

Talias gone, Damien said tightly. Shes not in her room.

Maybe she went out early, Bianca offered from behind him. Come on, shes probably just sulking. Again.

They all went downstairs, expecting breakfast at least. But the kitchen was silent. The table was bare. The sink untouched. The fridge unopened. There was no breakfast.

Not even coffee.

What the actual Damien slammed his hand against the table. She didnt even cook?!

He pulled out his phone. Dialed her number.

No signal.

Not reachable, he hissed. Where the fuck is she?

Bianca twirled her hair and sighed. She probably went out early to buy groceries or something.

No. Damiens voice was sharper now. I know her. Talia never leaves this place messy. She always wakes me up before meetings. She never lets a day pass without making food. This isnt like her

He paused. A sick feeling clawed at his chest.

His mind flashed to somethingsomething small, insignificant at the time.

Shit. He froze. Last night. The dinner

What dinner? Elliot asked.

The dinner dateI told her wed go out.

Oh, Bianca said slowly, glancing away. You mean you think she was still waiting for you?

She wouldnt do that, Marcus scoffed. Shes not that pathetic.

Yeah, Elliot chuckled. She mustve known you were just saying that to calm her down. No one waits that long.

But Damien wasnt listening anymore. He was already grabbing his car keys and storming out the door.

He sped through traffic, heart pounding against his ribs. When he reached the restaurant, he rushed inside.

Excuse me, he said to the waitress behind the counter. Last night, there was a woman here. Talia. Did she say anything? Did she wait or do you know where she is?

The woman blinked, then nodded. Yes. I remember her because she waited for more than hours before leaving. She left this for someone named Damien. I think its you because you have the same description as she said.

She handed him a white envelope. Damien opened it with shaking hands.

Inside was her wedding ring.

A folded copy of their marriage certificatemarked Invalid.

And a single sheet of paper. A death certificate.

For their unborn child. The world seemed to tilt.

He could hear nothing but the pounding in his ears. The way the paper trembled in his grip.

Before she left, the woman added quietly, she told us Give this to him. And let him know hell never find me again.

Damien stood there, frozen.

The envelope in his hands felt heavier than any burden he had ever known.