The Twin Brothers Who Ruined My Wedding

The pregnancy report was still warm between my fingers as I stood in the middle of my apartment, picturing Julian’s reaction once I told him. It was his birthday today—his family had rented an entire garden venue, lanterns hanging, fireworks planned for later. I was supposed to surprise him there, early, before everyone arrived.

You’re going to be a father, Julian. I’d been repeating it in my head all morning, like I was afraid it might disappear if I stopped.

Then my phone rang.

His name lit up the screen and I answered right away, a smile already on my face. “Julian? I’m actually on my way to—”

“Aria, I can’t come tonight.” His voice cut in fast, almost impatient. “Something came up at the office. Emergency stuff. I’ll be stuck here for hours.”

My smile faded. “But it’s your birthday…”

“I know. Just… go home. We’ll talk tomorrow.” No warmth. No hesitation. Just that.

“Okay… just be safe,” I said quietly.

He didn’t respond.

There was a faint sound, like the call should’ve ended—but it didn’t. A second voice slipped through the line.

“Tell Mira I won’t be there long,” Julian said under his breath. “I still have to handle the wedding issue. And Aria keeps asking too many questions.”

My whole body went still.

Mira? That name dug up something I hadn’t touched in years. High school. Old memories I’d rather forget. Was it the same Mira?

Before I could even think, another voice came through—deeper, rougher, almost identical to Julian’s.

“Your wedding or mine? You’re barely even showing up. I’m the one in her bed anyway, right, twin brother?”

Twin brother?

My grip tightened on the paper until it crumpled.

Julian hissed back, “Shut up, Kieran. I’m marrying her because of Grandma. She insisted before she passed out last time, and Grandma adores her. It’s her wish.”

Kieran laughed like it was nothing. “So it’s Grandma’s wedding now? Meanwhile you keep running to Mira like a pet. And me? I’m just your replacement when you’re busy.”

“I love Mira,” Julian said sharply. “And you said you’d help me if I handled Grandma. So do it.” His voice dropped lower. “I’ve been trying to delay the wedding until Grandma passes. But it’s impossible. Fine—I’ll divorce Aria after she’s gone.”

Everything inside me started to fall apart.

Kieran scoffed. “Or I just stay the husband. How many times did I sleep with her and she didn’t even notice?”

A pause. Then Julian snapped, furious. “Kieran, I told you not to touch her. If Mira finds out, I’m done for.”

“She never noticed the difference anyway,” Kieran said lazily. “She doesn’t even know you have a twin.”

That was the moment everything shattered.

The line went dead.

My phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor, but I didn’t move. I couldn’t. The room felt too quiet, too far away. The pregnancy report bent and twisted in my fist. My chest tightened until breathing hurt.

Not now… please, not now.

My body reacted before my mind could catch up—panic crashing in waves, vision shaking, air thinning. I stumbled toward the drawer, grabbing my anxiety pills with trembling hands.

Just breathe. Just breathe.

I poured a few into my palm and swallowed them quickly. Then more.

But the moment they went down, something was wrong.

It burned.

Sharp. Wrong. Like fire sliding down my throat.

I choked, grabbing the counter. My stomach twisted violently. The room tilted.

“What…?” I gasped.

Sweat broke out across my skin. My knees gave out. I hit the floor hard, my body convulsing as nausea tore through me. I tried to reach for my phone—but my strength was gone.

Everything spun.

Then nothing.

—

The next thing I heard was distant—machines beeping, rushed footsteps, voices overlapping like I was underwater.

A doctor’s voice cut through clearly. “This isn’t her prescribed medication. This is incorrect. Completely wrong.”

A nurse answered quickly, “Her records show she’s been on it for months. Her fiancé keeps bringing her refills.”

The doctor cursed under his breath. “This dosage could’ve killed her. Why would she be taking this? Does she even know—”

He stopped.

A heavy silence followed.

“…Someone may have wanted her dead.”

A cold wave ran through me even though I couldn’t move.

And suddenly, it all connected.

Julian was always the one who brought my medicine.

Julian was always the one insisting he’d handle everything.

Julian was always saying, Don’t worry. I’ve got you.

But now…

Someone had been trying to erase me.

And he had been the one making sure I swallowed it.

My eyes barely opened through the blur of hospital lights. My hand moved weakly to my stomach.

My baby.

My voice broke in the darkness.

“Julian… what did you do to me?”