Chapter 1

It was the third year of my marriage to Ryder Vance when he was reported dead, killed in action during a mission. His twin brother, Archer Vance, brought back a blood-stained dog tag, his voice hoarse as he told me, "Mia, Ryder… he's not coming back. "

I fainted on the spot. When I woke up, I frantically tried to go find him, but my mother-in-law, Eleanor, held me back with all her might. Later, I swallowed sleeping pills, slashed my wrists, jumped into a river—three attempts to end my life, and three times I was saved. Everyone whispered, "Colonel Vance and Ms. Stone had such deep feelings for each other…"

Yes, deep. So deep that it took three months after his "death" for me to discover the truth—

He wasn't the one who died at all. **Chapter 1**

The night I was saved from my third suicide attempt, I stumbled into my in-laws’ house, my face pale, hoping to find some of Ryder’s old belongings for solace. Instead, I heard hushed voices from the inner room. "Ryder, how much longer are you going to keep this a secret? Mia has tried to kill herself three times for you! "

My fingers dug sharply into my palms. Ryder? Why was my mother-in-law calling my deceased brother-in-law, Archer, "Ryder"? "Mom, just a little longer," the voice replied. It was clearly Archer’s voice, but the gentle tone was eerily similar to how Ryder used to comfort me. "My brother, Archer, entrusted me with looking after his wife before he died. But she's delicate, and hearing the news of his death would surely kill her. I could only pretend to be him, give her a child. With a child as an anchor, she can keep living. "

My blood ran cold. I could barely believe what I was hearing. So, it was Archer who died, not Ryder. My husband was alive, but he was living as his brother, sleeping next door every night—with Scarlett Hayes! "But what about Mia? " Eleanor’s voice grew more frantic. "You're sleeping in Scarlett's room every day. Haven't you thought about Mia’s feelings? "

"I’m stronger than your average woman…"

That sentence pierced my heart like a dagger. I stumbled backward, accidentally knocking over a broom leaning against the wall. The room fell silent instantly. But I turned and ran, as if a monster was chasing me. As I ran, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my hand. Opening my palm, I saw that the dog tag, clutched too tightly, had cut into my skin, and blood was flowing. For three months, I had held this dog tag every night as I slept, waking up countless times in tears. But now, it suddenly felt so ridiculous. My husband wasn't dead. He just chose to let me believe he was, all to "comfort" his sister-in-law! Five years ago, Ryder and I first met at a military gala. He was a commanding officer in an elite unit, and I was a dancer for the armed forces performance group. Many women pursued him, and I had my share of admirers. But that night, he stood in the audience, his gaze fixed on me as I performed a powerful military dance. Afterward, he strode onto the stage and, in front of everyone, draped his military jacket over my shoulders. "Madam," he said, "it’s getting chilly. Please stay warm. "

I blushed, wrapped in his jacket. After that, he began to court me. Before every mission, he would make a special detour to visit me at the performance group. The day I agreed to officially be his girlfriend, he was ecstatic, drinking until he was utterly intoxicated. He spun me around in the courtyard, swearing solemnly, "Mia, you are the only woman I, Ryder Vance, will ever cherish in this life. " After we married, everyone said Colonel Vance doted on his wife to the extreme. I truly believed he treasured me like a precious gem. But now? He was impersonating his brother, sleeping in his sister-in-law’s bed, and even planning for her to conceive his child, all for "her comfort. " And I, like an idiot, cried for him, tried to die for him, was consumed by grief for him. Did he ever stop to think that I would hurt too? When I stumbled home in a daze, Ms. Jenkins, the matchmaker, paid another visit. "Amelia, Colonel Dawson is being transferred to the island in two weeks. This is the seventh time he’s asked me to come… He said if you still don’t agree, he won’t ever come back. " Liam Dawson, Ryder’s comrade. Since I was confirmed a widow, many men had approached me, expressing interest in dating or marriage. I had refused the first six times. Because I believed I would only ever love Ryder Vance. But now…

I looked up and calmly said, "Alright, I'll marry him. "

Ms. Jenkins stared, stunned. "You, are you serious? "

"Absolutely," I smiled. "Please tell Liam Dawson that in two weeks, I'll marry him and go to the island with him. "

The door swung open abruptly. Ryder stood there, his face shadowed with anger. "Sister-in-law, who are you marrying? "

I looked at him, and suddenly, it all felt so ridiculous. "Brother-in-law," I said softly, emphasizing the title, "that’s my business. "

He spoke to Ms. Jenkins but grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it hurt. "My sister-in-law has me to care for her. She doesn't need to marry anyone else. Besides, you loved Ryder so much, you couldn't possibly marry another. Ms. Jenkins, don't come back here again, or I'll be forced to send you away! "

Ms. Jenkins looked bewildered. "But Amelia already agreed…"

She was cut off mid-sentence as I quickly grabbed her arm. "Ms.