Fake Death, Two Families: I Walked Away and Married Anew

The food tasted like cardboard. I forced down each bite until my arm began to break out in a violent rash.

Only then did I realize my dish contained a generous amount of nuts.

Alexander's face changed the moment he noticed. He grabbed my arm in alarm.

"What happened? You're allergic to nuts?"

I pulled my arm back. "I'm fine."

Once, Alexander could remember every preference I had, every food I disliked. If a waiter mistakenly added cilantro, he would patiently pick it out leaf by leaf. But now, seeing the dishes spread across the table, he needed a moment to recall that I was allergic to nuts.

Guilt flickered across his expression. He slipped an arm around my shoulders, trying to make up for it, and moved as if to pick me up.

"I'll take you to the hospital."

Behind him, Lily's face darkened with something malicious.

I stepped back and said quietly, "Daniel."

The weight in my tone snapped Alexander back to reality, and at that moment Lily clutched her belly.

"Daniel, it hurts," she cried.

Alexander faltered, torn. Then he said, "I'll take Lily to the hospital first. Mia, you…"

Lily suddenly burst into tears. Alexander didn't think further. He scooped her up and hurried out, throwing me a guilty glance before disappearing from the restaurant.

A waiter ended up sending me to the hospital.

For two days, Alexander stayed by Lily's bedside. He never came to see me. Through the thin walls, I sometimes heard nurses comparing the two patients.

One showered with care, the other entirely forgotten.

Their words made it sound as if my husband truly had died.

I chucked softly, letting it be. After all, the moment Alexander betrayed me, he was already dead.

Sunlight streamed through the hospital window. I squinted at the brightness, then went to handle my own discharge.

I will be leaving tomorrow. Soon, I would be on a boat with Charles, heading toward the island, toward a new life that belonged to me.

When I returned home, Margaret was already waiting in the front yard. She rushed to me, took my hand, and handed over a ferry ticket and a beautifully wrapped box.

"Mr. Gaslow heard you were hospitalized and asked me to bring these. He said they're for nourishing your body."

The box was filled with rare, expensive supplements. The weight of it stunned me. It felt far too valuable, and I immediately tried to refuse.

Margaret only smiled. "Why refuse? Once you marry Mr. Gaslow, you'll be his family. What is there to feel shy about?"

She had just finished speaking when Alexander appeared. His expression changed instantly. He grabbed my wrist. "Mia, didn't I tell you to stop letting people introduce you to men?"

He glanced sharply at Margaret. "I've said it before. Mia still loves Alexander deeply. She will not remarry. If I see you here again, I'll throw you out."

He spoke with righteous conviction, as if he were protecting me for my own good.

A bitter amusement rose in my chest.

Charles at least cared enough to ask after me when he learned I was hospitalized.

Alexander, on the other hand, cared only that I remain a lifelong widow for him.