After five years of marriage, Nora Reynolds finally learned that the man who claimed to have fallen in love with her at first sight had a woman who looked just like her — his true love.
On her birthday, she received many messages and gifts,
but none of them were from her husband, Adrian Cole.
Crossing the crosswalk, she stared at the empty chat window, dazed.
When the car hit, there was a flash of white light, and her mind went blank.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Adrian shielding another woman in the passenger seat.
…
Nora walked into the hospital room.
A tall, lean man was lying on the leather sofa.
The light cast across his sharp profile, illuminating a streak of blood running from his forehead to his jaw.
“You must be Adrian’s wife. Sorry for troubling you.”
The woman’s face carried a hint of apology, and Nora recognized her immediately — Vivian Lane, the famous actress who often appeared on the big screen.
Nora glanced at Adrian, who was resting on the sofa as if nothing had happened, forcing herself to stay calm despite the pain in her chest.
“No trouble at all. But why was Ms. Lane with my husband?”
Adrian slowly opened his eyes, exhaustion clouding the dark gaze.
“Vivian is the widow of my comrade. He just passed away, and I brought her here for the funeral.”
No wonder he claimed he had to travel out of town today, when she had seen him at the mall near their apartment.
Nora frowned. “This is a big deal, Adrian. Why didn’t you tell me?”
For five years, their marriage had been polite and restrained. While not passionate, it wasn’t loveless.
She hadn’t expected him to lie — and for her to catch him.
She thought Adrian would rush to explain, but he just rubbed his brow, weary.
“Nora, we’ll talk about this when we get home.”
Her chest tightened with anger. “You’re hiding it even from me?”
“That’s right, Adrian,” Vivian chimed in softly, “don’t keep it from Nora. I look so much like her, and you almost got hurt protecting me. Explaining it clearly would be best for everyone.”
Nora’s breath caught. Her heart felt like it was being crushed in a fist.
When they’d wheeled her into the ER earlier, she had already seen how much Vivian resembled her.
How could she not suspect that for five years, Adrian had only seen her as a stand-in?
And Vivian calling him “Adrian” so affectionately while referring to her as “Ms. Reynolds”? Was this deliberate provocation?
Not to mention the way she looked at Adrian — far from innocent.
“You’re right, Vivian,” Nora said coldly. “Let’s make it clear then.”
Adrian’s face darkened. “Vivian, enough.”
Nora’s sense of crisis grew sharper.
If Adrian wouldn’t explain, it was because the truth was unspeakable.
“Nora, be good. Go home first.”
She forced a smile. “Will you be back tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll go. I have the night shift anyway.”
Closing the door behind her, she hesitated, but then heard voices from inside.
“Adrian, why don’t you just tell her? Back then I married Holt, and you were so angry you found a woman who looked just like me to replace me.”
“You don’t love her at all. Why not just admit it?”
Nora felt as if struck by lightning, her legs giving out beneath her.
So she had been right all along — Adrian had been lying from the start.
She didn’t want to hear more. She walked away quickly.
When her mother Linda Reynolds called, she was already drafting the divorce papers on her laptop.
After hesitating, she answered and tried to hide her pain. “Hi, Mom.”
Linda sighed. “You’re not coming home for your birthday again this year?”
Nora lied through her teeth. “It’s too far, and work’s busy. I can’t get away.”
“You should transfer back here,” Linda said. “Then find someone local. Whether it’s a family alliance or not, your dad and I don’t care — we just don’t want you to suffer.”
Nora’s throat tightened. She couldn’t hold back her tears. “You always take such good care of me, Mom.”
“Don’t cry,” Linda said, thinking it was just work stress. “Come home, and I’ll make you laugh every day.”
It was meant as a casual suggestion — Linda didn’t expect Nora to agree this time.
“Are there any handsome guys at home?”
Linda chuckled with delight. “Of course. I’ll set you up. When are you coming back?”
“Next Monday. I’ll fly in.”
“And you’re staying this time?”
“Yes.”
Linda was overjoyed. “Then it’s settled. Your father will pick you up.”
Nora had already submitted her transfer request. Her work handover would take a few more days — just enough time to end this shiny-on-the-surface, rotten-to-the-core marriage.
That night, Adrian came home at eight, looking haggard. There were bloodstains on his white shirt, his usual composure gone.
He instinctively reached for Nora, seeking her lips — but the docile wife he knew suddenly flared.
She pushed him away. “Explain what’s going on between you and Vivian.”
“I already explained at the hospital,” he said with irritation. “There’s nothing else to say.”
Nora laughed bitterly, tears stinging her eyes. “She looks exactly like me. Don’t tell me that’s just coincidence.”
“She was my brother-in-arms’ wife. There could never be anything between us.”
Nora’s lips curled in a cold smile. “So you’re saying you didn’t marry me out of spite, to replace her?”
“Nora!” Adrian snapped.
She straightened her neck. “Hit a nerve? You’re angry because I told the truth?
I never tried to break you two up. You were the one who chased me, saying it was love at first sight. Turns out you’re a liar!”
She had been spoiled since childhood, never one to tolerate injustice. She slapped the divorce papers down in front of him.
“Since your true love is back, I won’t cling to you. I’m setting you free — sign!”
Adrian frowned. “Nora, stop being unreasonable.”
He still wouldn’t admit it.
Her heart went cold. “My husband cannot lie to me — I must be his first priority. Mr. Cole, you’re done.”
She regretted wasting three years staying in Brookdale for a man unworthy of her love.
“Where will you stay after the divorce?” Adrian asked, still trying to control her. “Nora, you only have me in this world. As long as you love me, I won’t abandon you.
Vivian is just another woman. She won’t disturb us.”
Nora laughed outright at his shamelessness.
He never really knew her. When he found her on the street, she had just been robbed and hadn’t eaten in over a day, looking like a stray.
He thought she was poor — and she let him think so, playing the good wife.
If not for his sincere pursuit, she would never have stayed in Brookdale.
Many times she had wanted to tell him the truth, but swallowed it for fear of upsetting him.
It turned out his love was never real.
“After the divorce, we’re done. Split the assets however you want — I don’t need the house or the car. Just wire me the cash.”
“And if I refuse to sign?”
“Then I’ll go to your company and cause a scene.”
Adrian, a disciplined veteran working in a defense corporation, knew that Vivian’s actions technically amounted to breaking up a military marriage.
“You should leave yourself some dignity,” he warned. “Before you married me, you had nothing.”
Nora scoffed. “Once I have your signature, I have everything I need.”
He asked for three days to think.
While packing, Nora overheard him on the phone with Vivian:
“Don’t worry. She won’t ruin your reputation.”
Her heart, already full of holes, felt like a sieve now.
Dragging her suitcase, she left for St. Mary’s Medical Center without a word.
Three days later, she flew back to New York City.
It was late, so she didn’t call her father. Instead, she went straight to The Hudson Club for a drink.
Half-drunk, she remembered a man’s hand closing over hers.
She remembered being the one to make the first move.
He was even more muscular than Adrian — easily the best physique she’d seen in years of working as a doctor.
She couldn’t blame herself for losing control.
When she sobered up, she ran.
Moments later, the man stepped out of the shower, holding a red-sandalwood necklace in his hand.
Water dripped from his dark hair. His sharp nose and thin lips curled into a smirk, and his gray-brown eyes gleamed with mystery.
He looked at the empty bed, recalling her breathless cries.
Ethan Blake called his assistant to trace the necklace’s origin.
Back at home, Nora was greeted by a full-blown family party.
“Baby, you didn’t even tell us you were coming! I overslept and couldn’t pick you up,” said Robert Reynolds, her father.
“That’s okay, Dad. Why’s the house so lively?”
Robert winked. “We’ve arranged a social mixer for you. Go freshen up — wait till you see the guy I found.”
Back in her room, she looked at the rows of Hermès, Chanel, and Dior, the Turkish rugs under her feet, the Baccarat chandelier overhead, and the Teuco whirlpool bath.
Home really was better.
Adrian’s salary at the defense firm could only afford a modest apartment, not even in a good school district. She had paid for the renovations with her design commissions.
As for the luxury goods here? He couldn’t afford them even at half price.
She had fallen for him because he had taken care of her when she looked like a stray.
He was handsome — too handsome for her to resist.
What she once thought was a love story now seemed like his twisted fantasy.
“Little sister, why didn’t you tell me you were back?”
Her twin brother Daniel Reynolds knocked and ruffled her hair. “Nora! You’re so skinny! Haven’t been eating well?”
Her nose stung. For five years she had lied to Daniel and her parents, saying she was abroad, when in truth she had stayed in Brookdale working at the hospital.
Daniel hugged her shoulder. “No more suffering. From now on, I’ll make sure you eat and drink well.”
Nora smiled. “Thanks, Daniel.”
“You ready? Let’s go down together?”
“One sec.” She slipped off her wedding ring and tossed it into a drawer.
Nora went downstairs with Daniel.
The young men at the mixer were all top-tier, from prominent families.
She hadn’t expected Adrian to be here too.
When he saw her, he strode over, grabbed her hand. “Nora, this isn’t the place to make a scene. Leave now.”
She pulled free. “And why should I?”
“You didn’t come here following me?”
She laughed. “You think too highly of yourself.”
“This is a Reynolds family event — don’t tell me you’re claiming to be one of them?”
She snorted. “I never said that.”
“If you want a divorce, let’s argue at home, not—”
“Who’s this guy bothering you?” Daniel appeared, draping an arm around her shoulder.
The sight made Adrian’s face darken. He grabbed Daniel’s arm. “Take your filthy hand off her!”
Daniel released Nora and slapped Adrian across the face.
The sound echoed in the hall.
“Who the hell are you to interfere with me and my sister?”
“Sister?” Adrian’s eyes widened.
Nora knew he’d never believe it.
“Daniel, I’ll handle this. Go greet the guests.”
Daniel patted her shoulder. “Fine. But tell me the whole story later.”
Adrian’s expression turned ugly. “How is Daniel Reynolds your brother? Who are you really?”
“My cousin. We’re close. And I came here to see my cousin tonight.”
Then she gave him a cold look. “Aren’t you here for the social mixer too?”
He hesitated, then said, “The company wants to work with Chairman Reynolds. I came to talk business.”
“Then wait here. I’ll look around.”
Adrian grabbed her arm again. “Don’t wander off. Leave.”
Before Nora could curse him out, a delicate hand tugged Adrian’s arm.
“Adrian, let’s go. Don’t keep Chairman Reynolds waiting.” Vivian slipped her arm through his.
Seeing her, ignoring Nora completely — classic Vivian.
Nora’s contempt solidified. If anyone wanted this man, they could have him.
Adrian let Vivian cling to him, glowering. “This isn’t a place for you. Don’t make the Reynolds family throw you out.”
Even now, it was all about him.
Nora scraped her manicured nails across his hand. “Get lost.”
“You should be grateful I warned you,” he said darkly, rubbing the scratch. “Knowing someone here doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.”
“Mr. Cole,” Nora sneered, “my life isn’t yours to control.”
Vivian gasped. “Adrian, your hand’s bleeding! Nora, how could you be so cruel? Even if you divorce, you should remember his kindness.”
Nora’s eyes gleamed coldly.
Vivian was already talking as if the divorce was done. Clearly she had been waiting for this.
Nora crossed her arms. “Exactly. Since we’re divorcing, Adrian has no right to tell me what to do.”
Adrian clenched his fists. “Nora! Stop being unreasonable!”
“Congratulations,” she said with a mocking smile. “I wish you two a lifetime of happiness — rats and snakes together.”
He raised his hand to strike her, but she dodged, laughing. “Dare to hit me now, Mr. Cole?”
Vivian scowled. “I can’t believe a doctor would speak so viciously.”
“When the heart is dirty, everything sounds dirty,” Nora said coldly.
Adrian’s face was grim. “We’ll talk when we get home.”
Nora sneered. Who wanted to talk to him?
Vivian sniffed, still smug. “Don’t take offense. The Reynolds family isn’t like ordinary families. You don’t want to provoke them.”
Nora ignored her and walked into the crowd.
She moved with the natural grace of a society heiress. Even after five years away, the guests recognized her immediately.
“Look at you, Nora. You’ve grown into a fine young lady. That baby fat is all gone.”
