When My Husband Fell for His Deceased Friend’s Widow

My labor was a nightmare. The doctors declared me critical six times.
My husband, Marcus, rushed back from his military base overnight.
He was covered in blood, his eyes blazing with a hatred so deep it scorched me.
To get me here to you, my best friend crashed his car into a rockslide. Hes dead, Morgan. He left behind a wife and a child.
His voice was a razors edge. How am I supposed to repay that blood debt?!
His best friends widow, Sarah, lost her husband in a single night.
And I lost mine. Marcus never came home again.
I was left alone to work dead-end jobs, to raise our son, to endure the vicious whispers of our neighbors.
At school, my son was taunted, called a bastard with no father.
I couldnt stand it. I went to the other familys house to set things right.
They beat me until my head was split open, leaving me to lie alone on a cold operating table.
With trembling hands, I dialed my husbands direct line. It was his aide who answered.
The Commander is watching Sarah Evanss performance.
He is not to be disturbed.
My heart turned to ash. I asked for a divorce.
Marcus promised, he swore, that he would return to us for good in one month.
Ill take our boy for a ride in the Jeep, he said. Well drive through town and show everyone what a big-shot father he has.
My son and I counted the days, crossing them off the calendar one by one.
The day finally came.
We saw the Jeep, surrounded by a throng of people. And in it, Sarah was laughing, a child in her arms.
I held my sobbing son tight.
Its okay, sweetie, I whispered, my voice breaking. We dont need a daddy.
Your grandpas army-green helicopter is way cooler than a Jeep, anyway.

Oakhaven is a tiny town. A new bicycle is enough to get people talking for a week.
A military Jeep was a spectacle.
The narrow lane was completely blocked by gawkers.
Marcus got out of the vehicle with a sigh. A little boy clung to his leg, whining.
Its all muddy. Its gross. I dont want to get my new shoes dirty. Daddy, carry me.
My son, Leo, stomped his foot in fury. He tore his hand from mine and charged forward, shoving the other boy.
Get away from him! Hes not your dad!
The boy stumbled backward, caught by surprise.
Sarah scooped him up, her eyes shooting daggers at Leo. Where did this feral child come from? No manners at all.
Marcus raised his hand, ready to strike Leo for her sons sake.
Leo froze, his little fists clenched.
In the stories I told him, this was the day his father would come home. Hed bring candy and toys and take him for a ride in a big car.
Hed show all the bullies.
He wasnt a bastard.
He had the best, strongest father in the whole world.
But the day he had wished for, prayed for, had arrived.
And his father was about to hit him in public, all to protect another child.
Leos voice was a choked sob.
You lied, Mommy. Hes not my dad.
Marcuss hand trembled in mid-air. His gaze fell on the small, dark birthmark on Leos forehead.
Shock, guilt, and a flicker of something almost tender crossed his face.
That birthmark looks like a little star. Lets call our son Leo, after the constellation.
He hadnt been home since.
Today was the first time in eight years he had seen his son in the flesh. But that flicker of warmth
It was extinguished by Sarahs plaintive cry. Marcus, are you just going to stand there and let him bully Cody?
The sound of the slap echoed through the crowd.
I was frozen solid for a second before I ran to Leo, shielding him as he bit his lip to keep from crying out.
I summoned every ounce of my strength and slapped Marcus back across the face.
Youve got some nerve! Sarah says one word and you hit my son!
The slap, the shout.
The onlookers swarmed closer, their eyes filled with scorn. They had been wondering how to get on the good side of the new Commander. This was their chance. They practically pointed their fingers in my face.
Morgan, are you crazy? Why would you hit the Commander?
Hes Sarahs husband! Hes supposed to defend his own kid, not yours!
Your son started it! Youre just an unreasonable bitch.
Worse than a bitch. Shes trash.
Has anyone ever even seen her husband? God knows who she had that little bastard with.
The curses were like needles stabbing into my brain.
Marcus looked uneasy but still positioned himself in front of Sarah and her son, protectively.
He didn't say a single word in my defense.
I clenched my jaw, wrapping my arms around Leo, who was shaking with sobs.
Sarah seemed to realize something, and a smug look spread across her face. She put on a show of magnanimity.
So youre the one she started, then trailed off with a sigh. Well, its not easy for a single mother. Ill let it go.
But the crowd wouldnt.
No way! Assaulting a Commander is a serious crime! She should be locked up for a couple of weeks.
And that little bastard, Leo, yelling at the Commander like that.
If word gets out, people might think the Commander has loose morals.
I could take their insults.
But I would not let them shame my son.
Swallowing the bitter acid rising in my throat, I stared straight at Marcus.
You tell them. Whose husband are you?
My defiant, tear-filled gaze seemed to pierce him. His Adams apple bobbed. He looked like he was about to speak.
But his aide cut in with a sneer.
This is ridiculous.
Everyone at Fort Sheridan knows Sarah is the woman Commander Thorne cherishes most.
To make her happy, the Commandera grown manlearned to dance, just to perform a duet with her on stage.
In the four years Ive served under him, Ive never seen him late for morning drills. But since Sarah came along, hes been late 28 times in a month. He cant stand to be away from her.
Every word was a hammer blow to my heart.
Over two thousand days and nights.
I worked three jobs to raise our child, fending off unwanted advances in the dark.
When I couldnt bear it anymore and cried to him on the phone, his voice was always ice-cold.
Sarahs husband died in that crash because he was rushing to get me to you.
Taking care of her is my way of repaying your blood debt. You should be grateful, not an ungrateful wretch.
For all these years, I had clung to those words.
Dont expect, dont bother, dont complain.
Even today, I had been planning to buy extra groceries to welcome Sarah and her son. To treat her like a sister.
I never imagined that while Marcus bound me with chains of guilt, he was indulging in a passionate affair with his dead friends wife.
Then what was all my suffering for?
The crowd erupted. They surged forward.
How dare you tell that bastard Leo to call the Commander daddy!
Trying to drag a good man through the mud!
Plenty of men in this town have tried to help Morgan out over the years, but she always said she was married and chased them off!
Turns out she just looks down on us country folk. Well, get the hell out then!
Someone yanked my hair back, hard.
Leo tried desperately to push them away but was kicked to the ground. A cruel older boy stomped on his face.
Enough! Marcus roared.
Sarahs face paled, and she clutched his sleeve.
Marcus sighed, gently pushed her away, and came to help me and Leo up.
Everyone, he announced, his voice strained. Morgan is actually my sister-in-law.
After my older brother passed, the elders wanted me to take responsibility for both families. As an educated military man, of course, I couldnt accept such an arrangement.
But my sister-in-law she seems to want me very much which led to this misunderstanding.
A misunderstanding.
A joke.
It felt like hed plunged a knife right back into the raw, gaping wound in my chest.
He lowered his voice, trying to placate me.
Morgan, dont make things difficult for Sarah.
When you were in labor, if her husband hadnt been rushing to get me to you, he wouldnt have been driving so fast.
You owe her this.
There it was again. That sentence.
The one that kept me from blaming him, from blaming her. The one that forced me to swallow years of loneliness and hardship.
But we made that child together. Why was the debt all mine to pay?
My heart was cold. I didnt want to fight anymore.
If Sarah wanted him that badly, she could have him.
We were even.
I shook his hand off and spoke, my voice flat.
Thats right. Im the Commanders sister-in-law.
Leo, call him uncle.
No.
Call him.
Un cle.
Marcuss face stiffened. He didnt answer, his eyes swirling with a complicated emotion.
This was what he wanted, wasnt it?
So why was he hesitating?
He knelt, pulling a bag of milk candies from his pocket to give to Leo.
I pushed his hand away and led Leo out of the crowd.
I didnt look back once.
I had just started packing our things when the yard gate was pushed open.
Marcus walked in, leading Sarah and her son by the hand.
My face was a mask of ice.
What are you doing here?
He pushed past me with his luggage.
Alright, stop sulking. Youve been waiting all these years for me to come back, havent you? I could have been transferred to the capital, but I know you dont like the dry northern air, so I came back to Oakhaven. From now on, our family of five will live a good life.
For a second, I thought Id misheard him.
A family of five? Marcus, what in Gods name do you think I am?
My wife, of course, he said.
He paused, then turned back with a smile. But publicly, youre still my sister-in-law. Dont let it slip, alright? It would be awkward for Sarah.
He walked into the master bedroom and started throwing my and Leos bedding, clothes, and books out into the hall.
He took out a brand-new set of sheets and carefully made the bed.
Those strong hands they had once pulled me from a raging flood. They had tended to me tirelessly in the hospital.
I had fallen in love with him at first sight.
I had defied my father, cut off all ties, just to marry him.
Now, he was using those same hands to make a bed for another woman.
It was time for things to go back to the way they were supposed to be.
I knelt and whispered to a sobbing Leo.
I called Grandpa. Hes coming to get us soon.
Grandpa is amazing. He even has a helicopter. Youve always wanted to fly like the birds, havent you?
Leos swollen eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.
Mommy, Im hungry.
I nuzzled his cheek and went into the kitchen.
Sarah leaned against the doorframe, a smirk on her face.
Youve got some patience, Ill give you that, she said. Ive moved into your house, and you still have the heart to cook for Marcus? What, are you planning on taking care of me when I have his second child?
I didnt even look at her.
Frustrated, she glared at me, then seemed to come to a decision.
She lowered her voice.
You know, my husband Jakes death had nothing to do with you. When you were in labor, Marcus insisted Jake take a detour to the bakery on the west side of town before going to the hospital. Everyone thought he was getting something for you. But really, it was because Id whined about wanting some chestnut cakes. Who knew thered be an accident on that little road?
She giggled, covering her mouth.
Marcus and I were first loves. We were separated when we were sent to the countryside for re-education. Now, after all this time, weve found our way back to each other. Its destiny.
It felt like my heart had been crushed in a fist. I couldnt breathe.
For eight years, I had believed his lie without a single doubt.
I had humbled myself time and time again, all to atone for a sin that wasnt mine.
I thought if I was just small enough, quiet enough, Marcus might think of me and Leo while he was repaying his debt to Sarah.
I was so wrong.
He was just happily, guiltlessly building his life with her on the wreckage of mine.
A triumphant smile played on Sarahs lips.
Today, Im going to make you give up for good and get out of this family.
She took a knife and sliced a deep gash into her own arm, then let out a piercing scream.
Morgan, if youre angry that I took Marcus, just say so! Ill leave!
You dont have to do this
Marcus burst into the kitchen.
He fumbled for gauze to wrap her wound and then roared at me.
Wasnt it enough that you got her husband killed? Now youre trying to kill her too? Youre nothing but an ungrateful, backstabbing wretch!
The sheer absurdity of it made me want to laugh.
Im the wretch? I sneered. And you, sleeping with your dead best friends wife that makes you a man of honor?
The truth hit its mark. His face went white.
You you have the nerve to ask me that? he stammered. How did a single woman raise a son all these years? I never asked you how many men you slept with.
Ugh.
Disgusting.
I pressed a hand to my stomach, fighting back a wave of nausea.
Marcus grabbed my wrist.
And you have the audacity to play the victim? he snarled. Its the first day and youre already acting this jealous. How are we supposed to live together for the next few decades?
Is this how you hurt Sarah?
He picked up the knife and moved to cut my hand.
Dont you hurt my mommy!
Leo suddenly darted in front of me, his little arm outstretched.
Startled, Marcus lost his grip. The knife fell.
Aaargh!
Leo crumpled to the ground, his arm hanging limply, the bone shattered, held on only by skin and sinew.
Blood pooled on the floor.
My fingertips went numb. I whirled on Marcus, screaming.
Get the car! Take him to the hospital!
His face tightened, and he grabbed the car keys, ready to run.
But Sarah started sobbing, clutching her arm.
My arm hurts so much, Marcus. What if I can never dance again?
He looked into her tear-filled eyes, and the guilt that had just appeared on his face vanished.
He clenched his fists and turned on me, his voice cold.
You need to learn your lesson today. Apologize to Sarah right now, or Im not taking Leo to the hospital.
Are you insane? Marcus, thats your son! He could die if you wait!
He blocked the doorway, his dark eyes empty and cold.
Hes your son, too. I want you to remember this. Remember the fear and pain of losing someone you love. Maybe then youll understand what Sarah has been through, and youll settle down and help me take care of her for the rest of our lives.
Sarah shot me a triumphant, mocking look.
She mouthed a single, silent word.
Loser.
I stood frozen, my heart torn in two. One half seethed with the humiliation of eight years spent atoning for a lie. The other half was consumed with terror for my son.
He was covered in blood, his breathing growing faint.
I bit down on the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood.
My knees buckled. I knelt.
I bowed my head to Sarah, who looked down on me from her throne of deceit.
I slapped my own face, hard.
Im sorry, I sobbed. It was my fault. Ill never hurt you again. Please, just let Marcus take Leo to the hospital

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