My Girlfriend Is Another Man's Wife

My savings were gone. It had been three days since Olivias accident, and she was still in a coma.

Desperate, I tried to use her debit card, punching in every anniversary I could remember. Each attempt met with a frustrating incorrect password message.

My partners parents are out of the country and unreachable, I pleaded with the bank teller, a young woman with kind eyes. Is there any other way?

The customer service manager, after checking her system, looked at me with a puzzled expression. Its not that complicated, Mr. Reed. Youre Ms. Chens legal husband. Just bring your marriage certificate and we can process a guardianship.

The solution was clear, simple. But I froze. Reed wasnt my name.

My girlfriend of eight years, Olivia C when had she gotten married to someone else?

I clutched the application form, the unfamiliar name Ethan Reed staring back at me, and stumbled out of the bank in a daze. The afternoon sun was blinding, yet a chill ran through me.

Back at the hospital, I found Olivias phone. The battery was dead. I plugged it in, and soon the screen flickered to life. A local number, unsaved, illuminated the display.

Taking a deep breath, I answered.

Olivia! Whats going on? Your phones been off for days, no replies to my texts. Youre going to give me a heart attack! A young mans voice, thick with tears, spilled from the speaker.

My grip tightened on the phone, my fingers icy.

Hello? Say something! Where are you?

Hello, I managed, forcing my voice steady. May I ask who you are to Ms. Chen?

The line went silent for a beat. Then, without hesitation, Im her husband. Who are you? Why do you have her phone?

His words pierced through my last shred of hope. My heart plummeted.

This is St. Judes Hospital ICU. My throat ached, a burning lump, as I fought back the overwhelming heat in my eyes. Your wife, Ms. Olivia Chen, was in a severe car accident three days ago. Shes still in critical condition. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible.

Before he could respond, I hung up.

Not long after, a handsome man in a rumpled shirt, stumbled out of the elevator, his eyes wide with panic. He rushed to the ICU observation window.

Honey, what happened to you?! Look at me and our baby!

He pressed his hands against the glass, sobbing uncontrollably. Wake up! You cant leave us You cant abandon us

I stood a short distance away, watching another man cry out honey to the woman I had loved for eight years. The last flicker of hope in my heart finally died.

I wanted to rush over, to shove that bank application form in his face and demand answers. But my gaze fell on the dark circles under his eyes, the visible exhaustion etched on his features. The accusation caught in my throat. He hadnt slept. If anything happened to him, I couldnt bear the responsibility.

Clutching my phone and that flimsy piece of paper in my pocket, I turned and left the hospital. Like a defeated soldier retreating from battle.

Back in the apartment wed shared for five years, her presence was everywhere. I sat on the sofa, staring at the birthday on Ethans application form: 03/15. I typed it into Olivias phone.

It unlocked.

My heart felt like it was being twisted and wrung out. I opened her messaging app and searched for the number that had called earlier. An account labeled Mobile Customer Service Manager popped up.

I clicked on his profile, scrolling through his posts.

Last year, on my birthday, shed said she had to work late, sending me a gift card to buy whatever I liked. Id gleefully posted about it. On the same day, Ethans social media showed a table laden with homemade food. The caption read: Someone said they were tired of eating out, insisted on coming home for my pasta. In a corner of the photo, there was a blurry glimpse of her, head bent, eating.

This year, for Valentines Day, shed given me an elegant watch. I loved it so much I wanted to wear it even to sleep. But that very day, Ethan had posted a grid of nine photos: rings, a necklace, shoes, clothes. A complete set of dazzling jewelry and apparel, sparkling in velvet boxes. His caption: Thanks to Ms. Chen for still spoiling me like a young man.

There were countless other moments. Her back as she made breakfast in the kitchen. Their hands intertwined as she drove. Her sleeping profile. Even the dog we adopted together, the one she told me had run away, now appeared in his photos, curled at his feet.

My hands trembled as I scrolled further. My breath hitched when I saw a series of luxurious wedding photos from two years ago. A wedding gown, a toast dress, golden confetti showering down. Olivia, wearing the custom-made gown Id gifted her, smiled radiantly, arm in arm with the gentle Ethan.

Her bridesmaids, clustered around her Their faces were glaringly familiar. They were Olivias closest friends since childhood. Sarah had just eaten dinner at our place last month, even taking home some of the pickled vegetables Id made. Jessica, two months ago, was short on money for a house, and Id lent her ten thousand dollars without a second thought. And Michael, Lauras boyfriend, had just invited me for a game of golf and afternoon tea last weekend.

But in the photos, they wore matching bridesmaid dresses, arms slung around each other, smiling into the camera without a trace of shadow. They all knew. And they had all, silently, conspired to keep her secret.

Even earlier, Ethan had announced their marriage with a post: Officially off the market! To the rest of our lives, please advise, @Liv. I remembered that day vividly. Olivia had told me her company was holding a mandatory training retreat. Turns out, she was with another man, promising him her future.

I kept looking, and then, suddenly, I laughed. A low chuckle at first, then my shoulders started to shake, and tears streamed down my face.

Eight years. From the innocence of college to the grind of professional life. Every single blueprint for my future included her. Everyone around us had already assumed we were married, just missing the certificate. But that certificate, it turns out, was an insurmountable chasm. She had given it to someone else.

I spent eight years of my youth building what I thought was a love nest. Unbeknownst to me, I was merely laying bricks for someone elses marriage. How utterly ridiculous. How tragic.

Three days later, I received a message from a colleague at the hospital: Olivia had woken up. Her vital signs were stable, and she had been moved to a regular room.

When I pushed open the door to her room, she was propped up in bed. Ethan sat on the edge of the mattress, his fingers intertwined with hers, his other hand carefully helping her drink water. A picture of deep affection, a couple reunited after facing death.

The sound of my footsteps startled them. Olivias tender expression froze the moment she saw me. Her hand tightened around Ethans.

Ethan winced, looking at me suspiciously. You are

Olivia, I stared at her, weve known each other for eight years. How could I not know you got married and became a mother?

Ethans gaze became wary. Liv, who is he?

Olivias face turned from pale to green. She forced a stiff smile. Ethan, let me introduce you. This is Arthur Hayes, a college acquaintance. He he works at this hospital. He heard about my accident and just dropped by to check on me.

She spoke quickly, desperately, sending me warning glances.

Acquaintance? Ethans brow didnt unfurrow. He turned to Olivia, his tone laced with a touch of petulance. What kind of acquaintance cares this much about you? Besides, what does our marriage have to do with him? Why is he acting like hes prosecuting you?

Olivia immediately turned to soothe him. Arthur just has a quick temper. He well, there might have been some misunderstandings in the past. Hes probably just a bit upset that Im married now. Then she turned back to me, her eyes pleading with me to leave. Arthur, the past is the past. I have my own life now, and I have Ethan. My health isnt good right now, and I cant handle stress. You should go do your rounds, dont neglect your work.

As she spoke, she kept her eyes, once filled with affection, now only with panic and annoyance, fixed on me. She subtly shook her head.

I watched the fine sheen of sweat on her forehead. I watched her grip Ethans hand, looking as if she faced an enemy. The last spark of warmth in my heart died out. I said nothing, simply turned and pulled open the door, leaving with no hesitation.

The door closed behind me, and I vaguely heard Olivias sigh of relief, followed by her sickeningly sweet voice telling Ethan, Its nothing. Just an insignificant person. Are you tired? Do you want to go rest? The doctor just said you need more quiet time

The hallway lights were harsh, stinging my eyes. Eight years. Countless days and nights of companionship and support. In her words, it had all been reduced to an insignificant person.

I knew she wanted to force me into a humiliating retreat. But I would not allow myself to be pushed into such a contemptible position. I tightened my grip on Olivias phone in my pocket. It held countless of her secrets.

If this was how it would be, then it was time for a complete reckoning.

Late that night, during my overnight shift, the office door was quietly pushed open. Olivia slipped in, locking it behind her, and without a word, fell to her knees at my feet.

Arthur, I was wrong. Her voice was hoarse, her eyes bloodshot. Please dont be angry. Let me explain

Dont bother, I interrupted. I saw the marriage certificate. I looked down at her, asking the question that had gnawed at me for days. Olivia, between him and me, who is the real interloper?

She flinched, her eyes darting away. He was forced on me by my family. Olivia swallowed, then spoke with difficulty. Arthur, I never dared tell you My mom, she never approved of us being together. She said you, as a doctor, would be too busy to take care of me And then theres your moms situation. She heard your mom has mental health issues and worried you might inherit something

My breath hitched, blood rushing to my head. Dont you know why my mother became that way? I was trembling, not from sadness, but from extreme absurdity and fury. Wasnt it because my father constantly had other women, driving her to madness?

You know what I hate most! You know how much I despise people who cheat! Why why would you do this to me?!

I know! I know all of it! She shuffled forward on her knees, desperately gripping my clothes. Tears streamed down her upturned face. Youre the one I love, Arthur! Hes just a way to appease my family, an act for my mother. I swear! He wont affect us. Youre the only one in my heart! Everything I have is yours! We can go back to how things were You two can just stay out of each others lives!

Stay out of each others lives? I let out a bitter laugh, raising my hand and striking her across the face.

You mean you expect me to live in the shadows forever, to always endure, waiting for you to fulfill your duties as a wife and mother in another home, just to give me a sliver of your time? Olivia, you must be dreaming!

The plea faded from Olivias face, replaced by a grim determination. Arthur Hayes, think carefully. She stood up, lowering her voice, a subtle threat in her tone. You and I have eight years. All our friends, colleagues, even your parents, know that youre mine.

Our shared plans, the promises we made, the path we walked dont these tangible eight years mean more than that piece of paper? As long as you stay quiet and dont make a scene, Ill always be yours. That paper, its just a formality

I looked at her, so self-righteous, and suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity. This face, compared to the nervous, sweaty-palmed girl who awkwardly handed me a hot tea outside the library eight years ago How could they be the same person?

Back then, she had said, Arthur, Ill be good to you my whole life. But now? She had not only cheated, secretly married someone else, but even

I remembered the photos Ethan had posted online. At first, I thought she brought him back to our home when I was away. But on closer inspection, it was clearly their wedding home, a mirror image of ours, replicated detail for detail! All to deceive me when we video-called during my night shifts.

None of this deception was spontaneous. It was a calculated, years-long fabrication. I opened the door to the on-call room with disgust, pushing her out with all my strength. Get out!

Olivia stumbled out the door, then stood outside, softly knocking and pleading. Arthur, dont be rash! I really do love you Please think about it. A moment later, her phone rang. Arthur, Ethan woke up. I have to go back quickly. Hes home taking care of the baby Her footsteps faded into the distance.

I sank to the floor, drained. Tears streamed silently down my face. Eight years, heavy on my heart, suffocating me with pain. How could it not hurt when youve loved someone with all your being? But I knew, some paths, you couldnt take a single wrong step on.

The next day, I stopped Ethan outside Olivias room. Ethan, there are some things about Olivia I think you need to know

I had barely started when he chuckled, his gaze knowing. Dr. Hayes, dont bother pretending. I know you and she are more than just old acquaintances, right? He took a small step closer, leaning in to whisper in my ear. Ive seen the private photo album on her phone. Its full of your pictures. From college until now He paused, savoring my stunned expression. Youre her boyfriend of eight years, just shy of a marriage certificate.

And I, he straightened, a triumphant smirk on his face, am her legitimate husband.