Chapter 1
On the day I decided to end everything with the baby I was carrying, my husband, who had been dead for a month, suddenly came back to life.
Joshua King was seen arm-in-arm with his childhood sweetheart at his old favorite club. In disbelief, I followed them and overheard all his 'pre-death' friends in one of the private rooms.
"Joshua, you’re really gutsy. You faked your death to spend time with Frosty in her last days. Aren’t you worried Sophia will find out?"
"Worried? My parents were in on it; there’s no way she’ll figure it out."
"Frosty has only a month left. I want to be with her through these last stages. After our wedding in a month, I’ll go back to Sophia."
Standing outside the room, I listened to every word, feeling my heart rip open, as if blood was pouring out.
A month later, the wedding that should have been a renewal of vows between Joshua and me was now for someone else.
How ironic that while I mourned him, he was busy marrying another woman.
So, I decided to give him a wedding gift.
Joshua gifted me a fake death, and I would return the favor.
On the wedding day, amid Joshua’s horrified gaze, I jumped from the top floor of the banquet hotel.
[Joshua King, I use my death to set you free.]
......
In my third month of pregnancy, Joshua was on a business trip when he was in a car accident. The vehicle plunged into a deep ravine, leaving him unrecognizable when found.
Devastated, I cried day and night, becoming so distraught I was hospitalized, almost losing the baby.
It wasn’t until Joshua’s parents kept vigil with me all night, nearly fainting from exhaustion, that I dared not indulge my grief any longer. I hid my sadness, resolved to care for Joshua's parents and to ensure my child's safe birth.
I would spend the rest of my life longing for him.
I thought I had moved beyond hoping Joshua was alive.
Yet, during a prenatal check-up, I saw him helping Frosty out of the hospital—a man who was supposed to have died a month ago.
Unable to contain myself, I followed them to Joshua’s favorite club.
Inside were all his 'pre-death' friends.
"Joshua, you’re really gutsy! You faked your death. Aren’t you worried they’ll find out?"
"Worried? My parents were in on it; there’s no way she’ll figure it out."
"Joshua, how long do you plan to stay 'dead'? Pretending sadness around Sophia requires real acting skills, and we’re afraid of slipping up..."
"Keep it under wraps!" Joshua slammed his cup onto the table, looking stern. "If anyone dares to arouse Sophia’s suspicion, don’t blame me for forgetting decades of friendship."
The atmosphere turned tense, and someone quickly joked to lighten it up.
"Don’t worry, Joshua, we won’t say a thing. But how long do you plan on 'dying'?"
"One month," Joshua replied with a frown. "Frosty only has a month left, and I want to ensure she leaves without regret."
"She’s loved me for so many years; giving her one month seems right."
"When the month ends, I’ll go back to Sophia on our wedding anniversary. We have a lifetime ahead; she’ll forgive me for being 'dead' for a month."
Frosty nestled in Joshua’s embrace, saying, "I only ask for this month from you, Joshua. Once I’m gone, I’ll return you to Sophia."
"Don’t say that; it’s unlucky," Joshua gently reassured her.
Outside the door, I stood trembling from head to toe, listening to everything.
A familiar server approached, prompting me to make a quick escape from the club.
Night had fallen, bringing rain without warning—the cold drops mercilessly soaking me. Yet, the physical cold was nothing compared to the betrayal Joshua had inflicted on my heart.
Joshua wasn’t dead.
He had deceived me.
This was the man who swore he would never lie to me for his entire life.
My original family was a mess—my mother died in childbirth, my father was a compulsive gambler, and lies were always for money. I grew up surrounded by deceit.
Meeting Joshua was the only stroke of luck in my life.
He understood my insecurities. During a family encounter when Frosty clung persistently, Joshua proposed to me.
He promised never to lie to me.
Rain mingled with my tears, indistinguishable from one another. My head pounded, and my heart felt as if it were bleeding.
I stumbled back to my residence, and as I stepped out of the elevator, Joshua’s parents approached.
They were worried, asking, "Sophia, why are you soaking wet?"
"Sophia, did you visit the club?"
Face pale, I nodded slowly, "I did."
Both were taken aback, exchanging looks filled with guilt and urgency. "And did you...see anything?"
Thinking of their involvement in Joshua's fake death charade, pain overwhelmed me. My resolve to uphold the family had turned into a joke.
"No," I numbly shook my head.
Relief washed over them, and they led me into the house.
They dried their tears, ‘comforting’ me to let go, not to overthink. They said I had them and the baby; we’d get through it together.
Exhausted, I didn’t want to hear their nonsense anymore.
"I'm tired."
"Of course, get some rest; we’ll leave you to it."
Alone in my room, as I finally calmed down and was on the verge of sleep, Joshua’s voice carried from outside.
"Is she asleep?"
"Asleep. Why are you back? What if someone sees you?"
"I couldn’t help it; I wanted to check on her," Joshua said with concern. "She’s suffered during this time."
"You’ve had it tough too. If she were more forgiving, things wouldn’t be so complicated." Joshua’s mother sighed. "She’s too sensitive."
"Frosty’s a good girl, just unlucky to be sick. Don’t feel guilty about it. If Sophia weren’t so sensitive, you wouldn’t have thought of such a plan."
Joshua’s father consoled him.
"Dad, Mom, please don’t say these things anymore." Joshua headed toward the room. "I want to see her."
I sat up, staring intently at the door.
I waited for him to come through the door, to expose all his tricks. I wanted to ask him how he could be so heartless.
Wasn’t I supposed to be the one he vowed to protect and care for?
The handle turned, my nerves on edge.
Then Joshua's phone rang.
"Frosty, haven’t you slept yet?"
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, how could I be here with Sophia? I’m out grabbing you some supper; I’ll be back soon."
"I miss you too."
He didn’t open the door; a call from Frosty led him away.
Through the door, I heard Joshua comforting Frosty with tenderness.
He said he missed her.
Tears flowed again, a heavy weight pressing down on my chest, suffocating me.
The man who once bought me supper was now standing outside my room, lured away by Frosty’s call.
Sleep eluded me, and I made a decision.
I dialed the number I thought I’d never call in this lifetime.
"Uncle, is it too late for me to come back?"
"Of course not, I’ve always said our home would welcome you," Jireh Armstrong replied.
My mother was adopted by the Armstrong family and left them for love, which ended in tragedy.
After her death, Jireh came to find me. Although we weren’t related by blood, he offered to take me away.
For Joshua, I refused, thinking I was different from my mother.
But now, I realized I wasn’t so different.
The only difference between my mother and me is that I wouldn’t wait for someone who didn’t deserve my patience.
"Sophia, I’ll send someone to fetch you in a month," Jireh said.
"Okay."
Wiping away my tears, I decided to leave on our wedding anniversary—the day Joshua planned to make his ‘resurrection.’ But I wouldn't be there to see it.