I Was Never the Choice

After thanking my friend, I ended the call and began packing my things.

Standing on the balcony, I noticed two figures downstairs.

Charles and Ellis.

"Can't you stay with me tonight?" Ellis tugged at his hand, sounding needy.

"Ellis, the only person I love is Zoey. Don't cross the line."

"But I'm carrying your child!"

Boom.

It felt as if a bomb had gone off in my head.

Ellis was right; the child was Charles's after all.

That meant his betrayal had not started recently; it had been going on for a long time.

"I warned you," he said coldly. "This is something only you and I know. No one else can find out, especially Zoey. I've already given you status. Don't start wanting more.

"If Zoey ever finds out, I'll divorce you immediately and throw you out of the Jaspier family home."

Seeing how firm he was, Ellis immediately softened, pleading in a low, pitiful voice.

"I understand… Don't be angry.

"You don't have to stay with me. I'll go home by myself, okay…"

Only then did Charles's expression ease.

"As long as you behave, everything can be discussed.

"The only one I love is Zoey. If she ever leaves me because of you, this will be your ending."

He raised his hand and made a gun gesture, then turned and walked upstairs.

Ellis, unable to stop him, stomped and looked toward the second floor. I quickly retreated to the bedroom and lay down.

Tears soaked into the bedsheets.

Not long after, Charles came in and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

"I missed you so much, my love. Our wedding is the day after tomorrow–are you excited?

"Wait, why are you crying?"

When his hand touched the damp pillow, panic flashed across his face. He pulled me into his arms.

"Who upset you? Tell me. I'll take care of them." He gently wiped my tears, looking at me with obvious concern.

"No one," I said softly. "I was reading a novel. The man secretly married someone else without telling his girlfriend. She ended up becoming the ‘other woman' without even knowing it. A… tragic character, really."

Charles froze for a moment.

Then, he pinched my nose lightly.

"That's just fiction. Made-up nonsense to grab attention."

"Charles," I said quietly, "if you ever fall in love with someone else, or cheat on me, I want you to tell me. I'll let you go, and we'll break up properly. Don't betray me, okay?"

"Don't say things like that," he replied instantly. "I only love you. I would never cheat."

He hugged me tightly, rubbing his face against my neck affectionately. "For this entire lifetime, you're the only one I love. I won't even look at another woman."

"Then, when are we going to register our marriage?"

I felt his arms stiffen for a split second before he put on that familiar, tender expression again.

"Tomorrow."

"Really?" I smiled. "That's great."

Still, he had already legally married someone else. How could he possibly register with me?

Before I could think it through, he stroked my hair.

"Go to sleep early. You're about to be a bride, and your skin needs to look perfect.

"I have to handle a supplier contract."

I nodded.

Watching him walk into the study, I lay in bed, wide awake.

I got up to get some water–and overheard something I never could have imagined.

"Don, the staff member at Window Eight in the city hall," he said on the phone, "has agreed to help issue a fake marriage certificate.

"She'll pretend to operate the system and then give you forged documents."

Charles let out a long breath of relief.

"Once it's done, I'll reward him with a garden villa."

I nearly cried out loud.

So this was why he dared to promise marriage.

Back in the bedroom, I stared at the ceiling, forcing myself not to cry.

I already knew he was lying to me, so why did it still hurt when he lied again?

Charles… One lie needed to be propped up by many more. How many lies had you woven around me?

I had no idea how I passed out asleep.

When I woke again, it was already close to noon.

Charles had thoughtfully prepared breakfast, as well as all the documents needed for marriage registration.

"After we eat, we'll go register."

He looked at me gently, his eyes as affectionate as ever.

In the past, that look would have moved me deeply. After what I heard, though, it only filled me with quiet despair.

Acting out devotion so convincingly was a skill anyone could learn.

After breakfast, we went to city hall. Casually, he chose Window Eight.

The staff member really did operate the computer. To make it look convincing, she even chatted with us, saying how well-matched we were.

Holding the product of this lie in my hands, I wanted to tear it up–but I held back.

I could not let Charles notice anything unusual. If he did, I would never be able to escape his control.

He planned to go home with me, but after receiving a call, he hurried away.

I exhaled in relief. If he had not left, I would have had to find an excuse myself.

Back home, I retrieved new identification and documents from the mailbox.

Tracy Fox.

That would be my new identity.

As evening approached, Charles called to say he would be attending a pre-wedding bachelor party and would be back late. He told me to sleep early. We would meet at the wedding banquet the following day.

Perfect. That made my departure easier.

I packed a few clothes and was just about to head to the airport when another anonymous message arrived.

A video.

The room was filled with people–members of the Jaspier family, all with status in that mafia dynasty.

They were congratulating Charles on becoming a father, celebrating the birth of a new heir.

A bitter smile curved my lips.

Everyone knew she was the legitimate one… Me? I was the shameful secret that could never come to light.

Suddenly, my stomach stirred.

"Don't worry," I whispered. "Mommy won't let you be hidden away like you mean less."

I turned on the gas in the kitchen and sealed all the doors and windows.

After dragging my suitcase outside, I got into a friend's car.

She placed a fake human skeleton–identical to my body size–onto the bed.

"From today onward," she said, "Zoey Qandor no longer exists."

She drove me straight to the airport.

By the time flames shot into the sky and swallowed the villa whole, I had already vanished from the control of that mafia empire's ruler.