Chapter 1 My husband's twin brother died in an accident, and I kindly offered to help my sister-in-law handle the death certificate paperwork. But when I posted the completed documents in our family group chat, she absolutely lost it on me. [Are you out of your damn mind? Your husband is the one who's dead-why the hell are you getting a death certificate for My husband?] Before I could speak, my husband texted me: [Sage, Vivian and I grew up together. Now that my brother's gone, I need to pretend to be him to keep her emotionally stable.] Just put my brother's name on the death certificate as mine instead.] I let out a cold laugh. Alright, let's do as you say. I'm dying to see the loan sharks your brother owes money to show up at your door with weapons demanding payment. When that happens, will you be YOU, or will you still be YOUR BROTHER? switched off my phone, took a deep breath, and walked back into the police station. When I came out again, the name on the death certificate had already been changed from Marcus Cross to Zander Cross. ust as I was about to head home, my daughter called. Mom! You need to get home now!" Chloe's voice was choked with tears. "Dad brought that woman into our house!" The next second, a shrill female voice cut through: Shameless little brat! Still calling him daddy?" He's not your father anymore!" He's MY husband now!" My daughter's sobs erupted, then the line went dead. My heart sank as I flagged down a cab and rushed home. The moment I reached my front door, I saw several movers carrying out my vanity table. Vivian stood in the center of my living room like she owned the place, barking orders: "Take that couch too. A widow and her kid don't need such nice stuff anyway." And there was "Zander," standing off to the side, silently watching it all unfold. I charged into the living room and blocked the workers who were about to take my TV. "Stop! What the hell do you think you're doing?" Vivian spun around, her face a mask of fake sympathy. "Oh! Sage is back." She sauntered over and linked her arm through mine like we were best friends. "I was just trying to help you out, honey. You and your daughter don't really need all this stuff, so I figured I'd take care of it for you." Chloe came running out of her room and threw herself into my arms, her little face streaked with tears. "Mommy, they're trying to steal everything!" I held my daughter tight and shot Zander a withering look. "You're just gonna stand there and let this happen?" His eyes darted away from mine. "Sage. Vivian's just trying to help..." "Help?" I let out a bitter laugh, gesturing at my half empty living room. "Breaking into my house while I'm gone and stealing my stuff-that's what you call helping?" Vivian rolled her eyes. "Don't be so dramatic. 'Zander Cross' is dead now, right? This stuff is just going to waste anyway." She made sure to emphasize Zander's name with a smirk. That's when it hit me. The whole emotional breakdown thing? Needing care and support? Complete bullshit! They'd been playing this sick game all along, just so they could hook up without any guilt. And now she wanted to take me for everything I had. "Listen up, Vivian." I said, each word sharp as a blade. "That death certificate might say Zander Cross, but legally, I'm still his wife. Every single thing n this house is our joint property." Her face darkened, then she forced that fake smile again. "Come on, Sage. Don't be like that." Zander's dead. His older brother should obviously handle his stuff. What right does some woman have to any of it?" turned to Zander. "Is that really how you see it?" He kept his head down, barely audible. "Sage, please... just help me out here..." Perfect. Just perfect." I nodded and pulled out my phone. "Guess I'll have to call the cops then." Vivian lunged for my phone. "What are you doing?! This is family business-you can't call the police!"