The Twins Who Loved Me as a Scheme

The day I found out I was pregnant, I rushed through the rain to surprise Ethan at the club. Through the crack in the door, I heard laughter from him and his twin brother.

When Rosie finds out on her wedding day that she's been sleeping with her boyfriend's twin brother for three years, won't she completely break down?

So three years of sweetness had been nothing but a revenge scheme orchestrated for his first love, Vivian.

Even every intimate moment had been calculated, with them switching identities.

On the wedding day, I personally exposed Vivian for who she really was, making the brothers kneel before me in public regret.

A year later, when I returned from the war zone, they knelt before me begging to get back together, but I smiled while holding Sebastian's hand.

"Too late. I've moved on, and you two will never find redemption."

Rosie's POV

The day I found out I was pregnant, I rushed through heavy rain to the club Ethan frequently visited.

At the private room door, I wiped my drenched hair, planning to wait for him to finish and surprise him.

Through the slightly open door, a laughing male voice drifted out.

"Ethan, your wedding with Rosie is in one week. Is the wedding surprise all prepared?"

"It's ready," Ethan's cool voice was steeped in alcohol.

"I'll give her a memory she'll never forget."

My hand paused mid-wipe, and I couldn't help but smile.

In the three years I'd been with Ethan, he'd truly cherished me like a treasure, loving me to the bone.

"If Rosie found out I've been pretending to be you and playing her all this time, wouldn't she just collapse and lose her mind on the spot?"

"Rosie probably would never imagine in her wildest dreams that Ethan has an identical twin brother!"

"She's always been so high and mighty, hasn't she? If she knew she'd been screwed by her boyfriend's brother for three years, I wonder how priceless her expression would be."

The men's malicious laughter froze me in place instantly.

I could barely believe my ears. I stepped forward to see what was happening inside the room.

The next second, I saw a man sitting next to Ethan who looked exactly like him-from appearance to hairstyle, even the teardrop mole at the corner of his eye was identical!

The man let out a scoff and leaned back lazily on the sofa.

"Who told her to bully Vivian? Vivian is my brother's precious treasure. To punish her and make her fall from the highest happiness into hell, my brother really went through a lot."

The male friends who were usually warm to me chimed in with teasing remarks.

"Ryan, you're the one who had it hard. You did all the physical work these past few years!"

"If I looked the same, I'd want to do that physical work too!"

"Exactly. That face, that body Rosie has. Damn. If she goes crazy after the wedding, why not let us have some fun with her first?"

"Ethan came up with this plan for Vivian, played along for three years, and still managed not to touch her. What a good man!"

Ethan. Ryan. Vivian.

My head buzzed, my blood nearly freezing, unable to breathe.

My body trembled uncontrollably, and tears spilled from my eyes without permission.

So the love I thought was happiness had been a lie all along.

A trap set for me because of Vivian, my tormentor.

In the past, when I woke from nightmares about Vivian, it was Ethan who held me and comforted me, telling me not to be afraid.

In the past, when I talked about my experiences of being bullied, he was the one who soothed me over and over, taking me to see therapists.

I didn't dare believe it. I didn't want to believe it.

I didn't understand. Those moments of being loved had been so vivid. How could they possibly be fake?

The voices in the room continued.

"Vivian's coming back to the country soon. Ethan, you won't have to keep flying back and forth anymore. All those weekly flights. Aren't you tired?"

"After three years of role-playing, I can finally be myself again! Every time my brother flies overseas, I'm the one coaxing Rosie..."

"Your voices are different. She never noticed?"

Ryan scoffed.

"That stupid woman. I deliberately lowered my voice and told her I had laryngitis. Every time she fussed over me, waking up before dawn to make me breakfast!"

Another round of raucous laughter.

Ethan interrupted.

"Enough. After the wedding ends, I'll give her a large sum of money. Enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life."

"Ethan, don't tell me you've actually developed feelings for her?"

My heart trembled. I instinctively held my breath, staring intently at that noble-looking man.

Two seconds later, I watched him let out a light scoff.

"How could that be possible?"

"What about Ryan? After sleeping with her for three years, you didn't catch feelings, did you?"

Ethan turned to look at Ryan, who shook his head vigorously.

"After three years, I'm sick of her. Brother, why don't you take a turn?"

Ethan smiled coldly.

"I find her disgusting."

"Look, this wedding was something she begged for. I'm only giving her money to keep her from clinging to me."

"Time's a bit tight. Help me prepare."

"One week from now, right after revealing the truth, I'm going to propose to Vivian!"

Rosie's POV

I don't know how I left the club.

Rain pelted my body like beans, but I didn't care. Only the conversation from the room replayed over and over in my mind.

Vivian... Just hearing that name made my whole body tremble uncontrollably.

I didn't understand. She'd already left the country. Why wouldn't she leave me alone? Why was she so obsessed with completely destroying me?

Just because of a title, "Most Beautiful Girl on Campus." Because my candid photo beat Vivian's heavily edited entry photo, Vivian had cornered me in the bathroom with a group of people, tormented me with every method possible, then shoved my head into a toilet.

Because I refused to kneel and apologize, for the next three years, I lived through hell.

She beat me up. She stabbed me with needles.

She even put thumbtacks in my shoes, got the whole class to isolate and bully me, sabotaged my part-time jobs, spread rumors about me.

She also arranged for many rich guys to pursue me. Once I overheard her plot. She wanted money to corrupt me, then cruelly abandon me.

Vivian never succeeded. Even when she studied abroad in junior year, she hadn't completely broken me.

But by then, I was already severely depressed and engaging in serious self-harm.

That's when Ethan appeared.

He wasn't like the other rich boys pursuing her, always examining me with lewd, appraising eyes, throwing bank cards at me.

His gaze was honest. He genuinely tried to understand my struggles and listen to my needs.

When he learned I had a grandmother who needed long-term medication, he didn't look down on me. Instead, he improved my life within limits I could accept.

He introduced me to internships and part-time jobs. Between work shifts, he'd sit with me at convenience stores eating dinner, then gently pat my head.

"Rosie, you've worked so hard. You're really amazing."

Once when Grandma got sick and I was out of town, Ethan sent her to the hospital and personally stayed with her for a day and night.

When I rushed back the next day, he was exhausted but smiled to comfort me.

"Grandma's fine. Don't worry. Don't wear yourself out."

A voice inside me said then:

"It's him. Try to trust him. Regardless of the outcome, treasure the present."

Later, he continued to treat me well, even bravely standing up to his family to be with me.

Ryan's contemptuous mocking laughter echoed in my mind again.

"She's so stupid. How could the family allow an orphan like her to marry in? Just hire two actors to put on a show, have my brother fight for her a bit, and she's completely devoted."

"So stupid. Three years and she never noticed anything wrong."

"So stupid. Even now she thinks Ethan is devoted to her."

"So stupid, so stupid, so stupid..."

I collapsed in the rain, tears mixing with rainwater pouring down.

So stupid...

I really was... so stupid.

I threw my head back and laughed madly, letting the torrential rain ruthlessly pound my face.

My phone rang suddenly. It was Grandma's caregiver.

"Rosie, come quick! Your grandma isn't going to make it!"

My head buzzed, instantly going blank, my limbs going weak.

On pure instinct, I scrambled up from the ground and rushed to the roadside to flag down a car.

But every car just flashed their lights frantically, honking long and driving past.

Just as I was about to run to the hospital, a Range Rover stopped.

A rugged-looking man asked my destination. Not caring about safety, I quickly got in.

When I reached the hospital, the doctor had already issued a critical condition notice.

"Respiratory failure. Resuscitation would be meaningless. Spend some quality time with her."

I fell to my knees, trembling as I grasped Grandma's hand.

Grandma smiled with effort.

"Rosie... don't cry... I'm sorry. Grandma still couldn't hold on until your wedding..."

I shook my head forcefully. I couldn't speak. I couldn't control my anguished sobs.

Grandma's gaze searched the room with difficulty.

"Where's Ethan... Grandma wants to see him..."

"Okay."

I pulled out my phone, dialing Ethan's number over and over.

The calls were hung up repeatedly. I quickly sent messages.

"Ethan, Grandma's heart is failing. She can't hold on. Please come to the hospital quickly. Grandma wants to see you one last time."

"Ethan, Grandma is waiting for you. Just one visit. Can you come?"

"Ethan, please..."

My trembling hands rapidly tapped the keyboard, tears falling one by one onto the phone screen.

In that moment, lies and deception didn't matter. As long as Ethan could come, as long as Grandma could pass peacefully, nothing else mattered.

But there was no word from Ethan.

I stopped, forced out a smile with all my strength, and held Grandma's hand trying to comfort her.

"Grandma, Ethan is probably tied up with something. Don't worry. Our relationship is great. We're getting married next week."

"Grandma, I'll be very happy... Please don't worry..."

The hand clasped in mine suddenly tightened. Grandma stared at me intently.

"Rosie... live well... be happy..."

Her hand went limp. In her final look at me, there was worry...

I looked at my palm, then collapsed to my knees crying my heart out.

That night, I handled Grandma's funeral arrangements according to protocol, and still didn't receive any reply from Ethan.

During a waiting period, I unblocked Vivian's contact from my blacklist and clicked into her Instagram.

"Originally planned to come back early and create a surprise, but I'm the one who got surprised!"

The background photo was at the airport. Ethan wore a mascot costume, holding flowers, his sweaty head poking out, smiling, his eyes gentle.

There was also a photo of the two of them together. She smiled sweetly. Ethan's face was turned toward her, his gaze tender.

Disheartened, I turned off the screen.

The next afternoon, carrying Grandma's urn back to the hospital, two things happened.

First, I fell down the stairs in my dazed state. The baby in my belly was gone. I needed to come back for a follow-up in three days.

Second, I submitted an application to Doctors Without Borders.

My supervisor looked at me in surprise.

"Aren't you getting married soon?"

I was silent for a moment.

"Not anymore. I need to leave. The sooner the better!"

Looking at me, my supervisor said nothing more.

"You just made the registration deadline. Take these few days off to prepare."

"One week from now, gather at the hospital to depart."

"Okay."

One week from now. Exactly the time of my wedding with Ethan.

I wouldn't just leave that day. I'd also give them a gift on that day they'd never forget.

Rosie's POV

Considering where I was going was rather dangerous, I chose to bury Grandma.

I bought an urn pendant, placed some of Grandma's hair along with a bit of ash inside, and buried the rest in a cemetery.

I knelt before the gravestone, gripping the pendant at my chest.

"Don't worry, Grandma. I'm about to go do what I want to do. I'll protect myself well."

I returned to the villa in the evening. As soon as I entered, I heard cheerful laughter inside.

The instant I froze, Ethan had already noticed me.

He strode forward and brought me inside.

"Come, let me introduce two friends."

A man and woman on the sofa stood up, turned to look at me, their eyes flashing with mockery.

It was Vivian and Ryan.

My whole body trembled slightly, uncontrollably. This was my physiological response when facing Vivian.

Ethan's voice carried laughter.

"Vivian is a good friend I grew up with. Ryan is my twin brother. They just came back from studying abroad, just in time to attend our wedding."

Vivian waved at me, smiling sweetly.

"Rosie and I know each other. We were college roommates."

As she spoke, she rushed over to link arms with me, whispering in my ear.

"Right, Rosie?"

Countless images flashed before my eyes. Every time after bullying me, Vivian would whisper in my ear.

"Just roommate jokes, right, Rosie?"

I instinctively shuddered and pushed Vivian away.

Vivian sat on the floor looking aggrieved.

"Rosie, do you still dislike me? I just want to get along well with you."

Both men's expressions changed. Ethan rushed over to help Vivian up, his eyes dark.

Ryan frowned in displeasure.

"Ethan, your fiance has quite the temper. She's not even your wife yet and already this arrogant?"

Ethan shielded Vivian behind him, his tone angry and cold.

"Rosie, apologize!"

I looked at the three of them, my hands hanging at my sides quietly clenching into fists.

Thinking of what I'd heard last night, my heart felt like it was being forcibly torn open.

I silently turned to leave.

I'd barely taken two steps when my wrist was seized, the enormous force making me stumble.

I looked up into Ethan's eyes, churning with anger.

"Who gave you permission to leave?"

Ryan's tone was cold.

"A family like the Graysons values propriety above all. Ethan, your fiance needs to be properly disciplined."

"You're right."

Ethan's eyes were icy.

"Rosie, you're about to marry me. You must watch your words and actions and constantly restrain your behavior."

"Reflect on what happened today."

With that, he forcibly dragged me to the basement and pushed me into one of the rooms.

Before I could react, he'd already closed the door.

The tightly sealed door let in not a sliver of light. Only then did I realize that it was a small dark room with no windows.

In pure darkness, my breathing became rapid. I pounded on the door in terror.

But no matter how much I shouted, there was no response from outside.

I fell into endless panic.

In college, Vivian had locked me in a small dark room for three days. No sound, no light. The passage of time became especially drawn out.

That time, I had a mental breakdown. Since then, I've feared darkness and developed claustrophobia.

These past few years, I turned on all the lights every night, even when sleeping.

Ethan was very uncomfortable at first, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, waking easily.

But every time I suggested trying to turn off the lights, he'd refuse.

"Rosie, you don't need to force yourself to do anything. I can adapt."

He clearly knew. They... all knew.

Yet they still chose to punish me this way, just because I pushed Vivian once.

My heart ached dully. I curled up in the corner, holding my trembling self tightly.

Yes, the past warmth had been fake all along. It was deliberately performed by them.

Even this dark room was probably custom-made for me.

Rosie's POV

Two days later, Ethan came to open the door, a pleased smile playing at his lips.

"Vivian doesn't blame you for what happened last time. Get ready. We're going to try on wedding dresses and rings."

I was taken to a bridal shop. As soon as I got out of the car, I saw Vivian and Ryan already waiting inside.

Vivian greeted me enthusiastically.

"Rosie, you're here? I didn't get a chance to congratulate you last time. Ethan and I are best friends. Today let me help you choose a wedding dress!"

Her face wore a smile, waiting to see me lose composure.

I showed not a trace of terror or disgust, smiling as I said:

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

Vivian's expression darkened instantly, then she raised her smile again, linking arms with both Ethan and Ryan on either side, saying meaningfully:

"Then I'll try them on with you. Rosie, I'll be a bride very soon too."

I smiled.

"Congratulations."

The light in Vivian's eyes completely darkened.

After that, whenever I glanced twice at a wedding dress, Vivian would call the staff over first and try it on.

Each time she came out, she'd take Ethan's hand.

"Ethan, how is it? Does it look good?"

And each time Ethan looked entranced, lavishing praise.

Ryan also circled around Vivian. The two completely ignored me.

The staff member said enviously:

"This bride is so lucky..."

Vivian let out an "oh!" and turned to look at me standing aside like an outsider.

"Sorry, Rosie. You're the bride. You should try them on first."

She punched Ethan's chest playfully.

"Ethan, what's wrong with you? How can you leave your bride standing on the side!"

The staff all wore embarrassed expressions. Ryan's lips curved in a mocking smile.

Only then did Ethan look at me.

"See anything you like?"

I randomly selected one and went to try it on.

When I came out, all three were already gone.

The staff member looked sympathetic.

"Miss, Ms. Moore said she was going to choose rings. Both gentlemen went with her. As for you..."

"It's fine."

I took off the wedding dress, returned it, and left directly.

Soon after, Vivian posted on Instagram with a photo of a diamond ring encrusted with gems:

"The ring Ethan bought for me at auction."

I glanced at it once then turned off the screen, continuing to pack.

Besides the clothes and necessities I needed to take, I found and discarded all my remaining belongings, including gifts I'd once given Ethan.

Everything Ethan had given me, I didn't touch.

Just as I'd finished packing my suitcase and put it in the closet, Ethan walked in carrying a blue velvet box.

"This is the ring I bought you at the auction."

I recognized it. It was the gift pictured in Vivian's Instagram post.

I took it and set it aside.

My overly indifferent reaction made Ethan frown.

His gaze shifted and he noticed the couple's mug I used to treasure in the trash can.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Why'd you throw out the mug? Are you angry?"

I pressed my lips together.

"No."

But Ethan was convinced.

"Is it about the dress fitting? Vivian is just my good friend. We haven't seen each other in years, so I paid a bit more attention to her."

He reached out to hold me.

"No need to be angry with her. If Vivian and I had something, we'd have gotten together long ago, wouldn't we? Rosie, you're my bride. Don't you understand my heart?"

Hearing this, my heart felt viciously seized, sharp pain radiating through it.

Ethan stroked my head upon seeing this.

"I'm sorry, Rosie. I made you feel wronged."

At those words, my fingertips trembled slightly, then clenched into fists, nails digging deep into my palms.

In that instant, I impulsively wanted to question him, to distinguish his true feelings from false, to know if he'd had even a shred of genuine feeling in these three years.

But the words reached my lips and I swallowed them down forcibly.

Ethan's phone rang. He quickly answered.

"Vivian... I'll be right there..."

After hanging up, he ruffled my hair.

"I still have something to handle. Get some rest early and be the most beautiful bride in a few days."

With that, he quickly turned and left.

I sat on the bed, forcing the tears in my eyes back.

Two hours later, I'd washed up and was lying in bed, preparing to sleep.

In my drowsy state, the bedroom door was suddenly opened. Ethan, who was supposed to be at the bar accompanying Vivian to a party, walked in.

He reeked of alcohol. He casually tore open his shirt and lifted my blanket, covering me.

The instant our skin touched, my drowsiness vanished completely.

I became acutely aware.

The person covering me was Ryan.

Rosie's POV

I used every ounce of strength to push the person on top of me away forcefully and shrank against the headboard.

Ryan frowned at me for two seconds, then raised an eyebrow.

"Still angry?"

He rubbed his temples, his manner identical to Ethan's. His alcohol-soaked voice was also indistinguishable.

If I hadn't heard that Ethan was staying pure for Vivian, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart at all.

He leaned in close again, hands braced behind me, our noses touching.

"I already explained today. If I had feelings for her, I wouldn't be marrying you."

Ryan moved to kiss me.

My eyes went wide. I jerked my head aside to dodge and started dry heaving.

I heaved until my eyes nearly cried, but still couldn't suppress it. I pushed the man away and rushed to the bathroom.

Ryan watched me, brow slightly furrowed, eyes flickering.

In the bathroom, I slid down the wall slowly and crouched on the floor.

Outside the door, Ryan's voice suddenly rang out.

"Did you guys hear that? This woman's dry heaving. Could she be pregnant?"

Immediately after came a chorus of stunned exclamations. One of the guys shouted loudly:

"Ryan, don't let this get out of hand. What if she clings to you when the truth comes out?"

My spine instantly stiffened, my limbs going cold.

I realized Ryan's phone had been on a call the whole time.

Vivian's voice followed into my ears.

"Ethan, Ryan, you're going too far..."

"Too far?"

Ethan's tone was ice cold.

"She's targeted you for so long. This is the punishment she deserves."

Vivian said worriedly:

"But what if Rosie really is pregnant?"

After a moment of silence, both men said in unison:

"Impossible!"

On the other end of the call, Ethan's voice was especially merciless.

"Even if she is, I won't let her keep it. Ryan, what do you say?"

Ryan's Adam's apple bobbed twice.

"Of course."

The next second, I opened the door and looked at him.

He quickly ended the call and stepped forward.

"What's wrong, Rosie? Why do you look so bad? Are you feeling unwell somewhere? You're not... pregnant, are you?"

I stared at him steadily, the corner of my mouth twitching.

"No. My stomach condition flared up."

Early the next morning, I went to the hospital for my follow-up appointment as scheduled.

I walked out of the hospital at noon. Ethan called, and immediately after, his car stopped at the hospital entrance.

He quickly got out and guided me to the passenger seat.

"Come on, let me take you to eat."

Silent the whole way, the smile never left Ethan's lips.

The song playing in his car was Vivian's favorite from our student days. Also the song I hated most.

As soon as we arrived at the restaurant, I saw Vivian and Ryan waiting for us.

Vivian pointed at the cake on the table.

"Rosie, yesterday I was out of line. This is a viral cake I specially stood in line to buy as an apology. You must try it."

At the table, Vivian kept bringing up stories from when the three of them were young.

"Ethan and Ryan have doted on me since we were little. Back then when we played house, they'd compete to be my groom!"

"Once I climbed a tree and couldn't get down. Ethan lay on the ground to be my cushion."

"In middle school when I was cornered by boys, Ethan and Ryan both got seriously injured protecting me and stayed in the hospital for ages."

Ethan and Ryan smiled along. The three chatted animatedly while only I remained silent.

But Vivian suddenly looked at me.

"Rosie, why aren't you talking? Do you have a problem with me?"

"I know we had some misunderstandings in college, but now that you're marrying Ethan, I hope we can become the best of friends."

Vivian raised her wine glass, lips curving as she looked at me.

I didn't move for a long time, nor did I look at her.

The next second, I clutched at the fabric on my chest, breathing rapidly and with difficulty.

On my arms, large patches of red hives appeared, vivid and alarming. I struggled to reach for my bag.

"You're having an allergic reaction?!"

Ethan jumped to his feet, reaching for my bag.

I have a severe peanut allergy. Though I'm usually very careful, I always kept an epinephrine pen in my bag in case of accidental ingestion and inability to get timely treatment. In critical moments it could save my life.

I'd already gotten the epinephrine pen.

Just then, Vivian's weak voice suddenly sounded.

"Ethan... I feel terrible..."

Her slender fingers clutched at the fabric on her chest as she fell backward, face pale.

Rosie's POV

"Vivian!"

Ryan, sitting beside Vivian, caught her in time.

"Ethan, Vivian seems to be having an allergic reaction!"

Ethan's steps toward me halted.

His expression darkened instantly. He turned and walked toward me.

I'd already lifted my skirt, preparing to inject myself.

Suddenly an enormous force gripped my wrist and snatched the epinephrine pen from my hand.

I looked up in disbelief into Ethan's cold eyes.

"You caused Vivian's allergic reaction. Give her the medicine first!"

With that, he strode toward Vivian without a moment's hesitation, swiftly completing the injection for her.

Noticing my gaze, Ryan said coolly:

"You're a doctor. You should have other emergency methods. Vivian doesn't know anything. She needs this pen more."

After injecting, Ethan picked Vivian up and rushed out.

Ryan chased after them.

"Ethan, I'll get the car!"

I collapsed on the floor, staring intently at their retreating backs.

From beginning to end, they never looked back.

As consciousness faded, I saw a waiter rush in.

"Miss! What's wrong?!"

I was unconscious for a day. When I woke, I saw Ethan sitting by the bed.

He grasped my hand, his tone concerned.

"Rosie, you're finally awake. Is there anywhere you still feel unwell?"

I pulled my hand away and closed my eyes.

Ethan didn't get angry. He brushed the stray hair from my temples.

"Rosie, I know you're angry with me. But the Grayson and Moore families work closely together. Vivian can't have an incident in front of us."

"I had no choice. You're about to be my wife. We're a community of shared interests. You should understand."

"Rosie, you know I love you most, don't you?"

Ryan appeared at the hospital room door.

"That's right. My brother had no choice. Big families have their difficulties. We all have to prioritize the bigger picture.""As family, we can only ask you to be patient for now."

My hands clenched tightly under the blanket as I looked at the two men, laughing coldly inside.

To deceive me, they'd really gone to great lengths.

I didn't want to get entangled. I closed my eyes again.

"I want to rest."

Only after the sound of their footsteps faded did I open my eyes and take out my phone to make a call.

"Hello, is this the streaming company? I'd like to book a service..."

After hanging up, I instinctively reached for the pendant at my chest, but grasped at nothing.

The pendant containing Grandma's hair and ashes was gone!

I panicked instantly, getting up to search around the hospital bed.

Just as I was about to go ask the nurse, my phone buzzed with a message.

Vivian had sent a photo. It was my pendant necklace!

"If you want the necklace back, come now. Otherwise I'll flush what's inside down the toilet."

Overwhelming rage made my vision go black. I rushed toward Vivian's hospital room.

Inside, Vivian stood by the window, the necklace dangling from her fingertips, swaying outside the window ledge, ready to drop at any moment.

"Vivian, give me back my necklace!"

A malicious smile played at Vivian's lips.

"Rosie, you saw my Instagram posts, didn't you? Tsk tsk. I thought you were so high and mighty. Back then you practically wanted me dead. Now, to marry into the Grayson family, you can tolerate anything."

I only stared intently at the necklace in her hand, nails digging into my palms.

"Give me back my necklace!"

Vivian moved the necklace a few more inches outward.

"If you want the necklace, then kneel and apologize to me. Admit you're a bitch. Admit you're fake and pretentious."

"Impossible!"