from her computer, her expressi

vies, but there seem

barely-there baby bump. "A p

liminary birth registration done early was

desk, "You' re trying to register this under y

that' s

Mr. Liam O' Connell is already married. His marriage

the air, a jumble of sounds that my brain

ice a little too loud. "We' re marri

wn? The certificate listed in the system for his marriage to M

ng on my stomach, now clutched it tightly. The world tilted slightly, the fluorescent lights ov

uldn'

to come from far away.

w, knocking the air from my lungs. Sienna Reed. The name was unfamiliar, a shar

certificate, the one

range after a hiking accident, suffering from amnesia. When I was finally found and returned, Liam was there, his devotion unwaverin

ed for me. He swor

rried her while I was fighting for my life, lost and alone. Then, when I came back, he hid

y hot cheeks. The city sounds were muffled, distant. The ringing in my ears was the only thing that felt real. My perfe

for every day I was gone. They were filled with anguish, with love, with promises of a future he refused to let go of. We sat on our balcony and wa

When I was declared legally dead after months of no contact, he fought it. He told everyone I was alive, that he coul

was never coming back. Maybe he just needed someone to fill the space I left behind. When I did come b

k with emotion. "I did things... I was so lonely. But it meant nothing. You're the only one. Forgive me, please." I thought he meant some meaningless fling, a moment of weakne

es, holding me every night. Our life together felt like a dream, a second chance I never thought I' d get. I let mys

ticulously crafted illusion. I wasn't his