My Husband Faked Death, and My Brother-in-Law Moved In Fast

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After my husband died, I saw the comments:

[The male lead faked his death to test the second female lead.]

[The second female lead will soon be unable to stand the loneliness and cheat, and the male lead will be the female lead's, darling!]

[I can't wait to see the second female lead outside, drenched in rain, begging the male lead not to leave her, only to discover the female lead inside, playfully begging him to stop kissing her. So satisfying!]

I was utterly wronged and swore I would never waver. But on the day of the funeral, my idol appeared. He held an umbrella for me, his voice a low murmur: " Scarlett, my brother is gone, but you still have me."

Wait, is this a test?

1.

I went to a fortune teller.

The fortune teller said, "You are destined for two husbands. This current one is not the one you truly love."

"Nonsense!" I snapped, furious.

A shadow enveloped me from behind. A long, slender, bony hand reached over and snatched the fortune stick from my grasp. I turned, meeting Johns eyes.

Darling, dont believe it.

He smiled ever so faintly, absently turning the fortune stick in his fingers. His face was devoid of expression. I knew he didnt care. His marriage to me was merely a compromise. Many pursued him; given his stature, he could find someone better if he left me. I was simply the one who pursued him the longest. If he couldn't marry the one he loved most, he'd marry the one who loved him most.

I just didnt expect him to settle the score with me in bed that night. There was none of his usual tenderness. His advances were fierce, utterly beastly. I knew that arrogant expression all too well. He didnt love me all that much, but I was only allowed to love him.

John, I softened, I only love you. I swore repeatedly that I would love him for as long as he lived.

He asked, What if I die?

I paused, Id still love you.

He caught the few seconds of hesitation in my voice. One eyebrow arched. My foot, which had been idly kicking his chest, instinctively recoiled, but he seized my ankle tightly.

He said, Scarlett, if I die, you can only love me.

Deep in the night, John, clad only in trousers, leaned against the window sill, legs crossed, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he answered his phone.

The news of your faked death will be out tomorrow.

The person on the other end gave him instructions: Youll stay on the island for six months. Once the mole here is caught, you can return.

John grunted vaguely. The person asked again, Are you really not going to tell your wife youre faking your death?

John wasnt telling me, both for work and to make a gamble. When John was seven, his mother ran off with another man, taking his younger brother but leaving him behind. He loathed betrayal. He wanted to bet on whether I would truly remain faithful, only then would he fully accept me.

Did you find anything? he asked the person on the other end.

Followed her for half a month, the person said. Your wife has no other men.

Always from home to work and back, shes a steady woman.

Honestly, everyone knows she loves you most, the person couldn't resist quipping. John, are you really worried shell go looking for someone else if she thinks youre dead?

Let her, if she wants to. He scoffed, dismissing it. Shes not the only one who wanted to marry me.

John hung up, unconsciously feeling the fortune stick in his pocket. He clenched it in his palm, staring for a few seconds. He ruffled his hair in annoyance, then slightly tilted his head to glance at me, sleeping soundly in the room. With a backhand, he tossed it into the trash can.

The next day was our anniversary. I waited for him at home all day, only to receive news of his death. I listened numbly as people around me spoke of an incident during a mission. I returned home alone, seeing his black coat, worn just last night, draped over the sofa. I picked it up, intending to wash it, but then realized there was no longer any need. The realization brought with it a suffocating heartache that spread from my icy neck to my fingertips. I clutched his coat, unable to recover for a long time.

Until the day of the funeral. I saw the scrolling text:

[Here it comes, here it comes! The male lead faked his death to test the second female lead.]

[The second female lead will soon be unable to stand the loneliness and cheat, and the male lead will be the female lead's, darling!]

[The stupid second female lead cant resist temptation, thinking shes found a treasure, but when the male lead returns, shell regret it terribly.]

[The female lead is completely the male leads ideal type. Theyll fall in love on the island over time. The male lead is stubborn but cant resist!]

[The second female lead fawned for so many years, and the female lead gets everything just by standing there!]

[I can't wait to see the second female lead outside, drenched in rain, begging the male lead not to leave her, only to discover the female lead inside, playfully begging him to stop kissing her. So satisfying!]

I looked at the comments, finding them ridiculous and deeply unfair. So, I was the second female lead. No wonder no matter how good I was to John, I could never warm him up. But I couldn't accept that I would cheat! And the comments even said I cheated at the funeral. God as my witness. I was a respectable, honest woman; how could I possibly betray my husband before his memorial week was even over?!

The most infuriating part was that, looking around, no one at the funeral was as handsome as John! We simps only simp because we're obsessed with good looks!

[Its hilarious to think that the second female lead will wake up every morning to that ugly mans face.]

[No wonder shes unwilling, but what good is it? The hot guy is the female lead's.]

[Wait, whos that handsome man?]

[Oh my god, what long legs!]

I looked up. Amidst the bowing mourners, through the swirling incense smoke, a resolute, handsome face stood out. After offering three sticks of incense, the crowd parted. A fine mist of rain fell, and he approached me, holding a black umbrella. He stood before me, his voice a low murmur:

Scarlett.

My brother is gone, but you still have me.

A few steps behind him hung his brothers newly placed black-and-white portrait.

2.

Felix. My idol. The singer I had loved for ten years. In high school, I used to secretly listen to his songs under the covers of my dorm bed to fall asleep. In my most sacrilegious dreams, I dared not even imagine his face. Now, he was less than half a meter from me.

This is Johns younger brother.

Someone beside me whispered that he was the brother Johns mother had taken away, the brother John despised most. Thats why, in all our years of marriage, I had never met him. I was Felixs sister-in-law.

In a fleeting few seconds, my mind raced with thoughts like: Even though I know my idol will eventually date, if he actually does, I'll want to die, hating any sister-in-law flaunting herself in front of me. What? You say I'm the sister-in-law? Heh heh, I'm the sister-in-law. No, no, not that kind of sister-in-law. Dammit.

I was flustered and nervous, my throat tightening as I faced my idols close-up face, losing my voice entirely. But I couldnt let the moment drop. I had to greet him, I had to

A-quack.

My constricted throat ultimately produced a duck-like squawk. So embarrassing. I wanted to faint on the spot. But I was just the second female lead, and my body was robust.

Ten minutes later, I found an undisturbed, dim corner in the stairwell to wallow in self-pity.

Have you seen Scarlett? Felix is looking for her. Outside, two of Johns relatives passed by, their voices growing closer.

Hey, I heard John didnt leave Scarlett a penny?

Thats right, a mans money is where his heart is. That gold-digger ended up with nothing.

Dont say that, I think Scarlett is a good, honest girl too. Her eyes are all red from crying.

The footsteps faded. The comments on screen still flashed scenes from the island:

[Ahhh, the male and female leads met!]

[What does it mean that the male lead keeps staring at the female lead?]

[The male leads dog likes the female lead. Dogs are more honest than people!]

I took a deep breath, twisted the doorknob, and prepared to go home. The moment I opened the door, a force pulled me back. The person let go and looked down at me.

Found you.

In the narrow stairwell, the door was half-open, pushed by the wind, letting in only a small corner of light.

Are you hiding from me? Felixs face was obscured in the darkness, his voice growing clearer. Do you hate me, like my brother does?

I took half a step back and shook my head. I dont hate you.

Heaven knows I found it hard to breathe just looking at his face. But then, he was even taller than his brother, completely blocking me, leaving me nowhere to hide.

He asked, Then do you like me?

Someone passed by, and the door was pushed open a bit further by the airflow. I instinctively recoiled deeper inside. He was amused by my action, raising a hand to block the draft for me. When the person outside left, light streamed back in, and I saw his dark, warm eyes.

Do you remember me? he asked. We were in the same class in freshman year of high school.

Felixs name permeated my entire school life. He transferred schools and debuted in his sophomore year of high school. He became famous overnight, winning countless awards. The year of the college entrance exam, I struggled to get into a regular university. On the first day of orientation, my roommate lay in bed talking about her favorite singer named Felix. Later, after graduating college, my roommate had stopped following celebrities, but I was still listening to his music.

Tickets to Felixs concerts sold out in seconds. The one time I finally managed to snatch a ticket, I was called back to the office for urgent overtime. I couldn't help but cry at my desk. I thought, I'm not sad because I can't go. It's because in that moment, I clearly realized that he and I lived in two different worlds. I might never meet him in this lifetime.

I remember. I looked up at him. Its quite a coincidence. I didnt expect you to remember me, and even less that wed become relatives. I tried to keep my voice from trembling. Who would have thought Id see you again, sitting at the same table at my husbands funeral?

He heard me call his brother my husband, saw my red-rimmed eyes. He remembered this was his brothers funeral. Oh. He turned sideways, creating a bit of distance between us. Fine raindrops, mixed with a diagonal wind, slapped against the door, chilling my exposed forearms. He had briefly touched me there just moments ago.

My brother was quite unfair. He didnt look at me. How could he do that to you?

Felix had been famous for years, low-key, without scandals, and always maintained a good reputation. Even years later, at a class reunion, someone would say, I was being harassed by some guys from outside school, and Felix, who Id barely spoken to, silently called the police and helped fight them off. Hes truly a good person.

I thought, Felix must be a kind-hearted person. Thats why, with that face that made my imagination run wild, he looked at me with an earnest, gentle expression and asked: What do you want? As my brothers family, I will compensate you.

I was truly terrible. In that moment, I clearly realized I was a villainous second female lead. My mind was filled with: If he slept with me, would it be like sleeping with a fan? Would it affect his career? Maybe not. Control yourself! I lowered my head and said, No, thank you.

But then, his deep voice asked again, Are you really sure?

No, thanks. You dont owe me anything.

Oh.

Tree shadows swayed outside the window, and the door was fully blown open by the wind. Someone outside the stairwell was looking for me. I turned to leave. He watched me go, then leisurely said, Scarlett.

Then can I ask for some compensation?

Confused, I turned to look at him. What?

Marry me. He said, Ill take care of you on his behalf.

3.

Felix and I returned to the wake one after the other. People around us ate, some glancing my way, continuing their previous conversation.

Do you think John will regret it?

Regret what?

If hed known life was so short, he should have married someone he truly loved, not the one in front of him.

Someone subtly hinted for him to stop, but couldn't resist scrutinizing my expression.

[The second female lead doesnt know yet, does she? The female lead just ignored the male lead slightly, and hes already getting uncomfortable.]

[The second female lead is currently scouting for an affair partner. Wonder which ugly guy shell pick.]

[When the male lead returns, wont he be furious comparing them?]

[Who told her to cheat?]

The comments scrolled, and people around me whispered. I should have been devastated. But now, staring at John's portrait on the wall, I had only one thought: Marry my idol? Is this a test? Oh. Oh. Oh. It had to be this way.

I couldnt help it. I raised my hands to my face and began to cry. The more I cried, the more my mouth twitched at the corners. What else could I do? I was merely a morally corrupt second female lead, incapable of resisting temptation.

Darling, youre gone. And my wish came true.

The people who had been whispering saw how pitifully I cried and couldn't bear to mock me further. In the corner, the person who had called John that night watched my reaction and sighed. He took out his phone and sent a message to an unknown number:

John, dont play too hard.

Scarlett loves you so much; she almost cried herself speechless at the funeral today.

A few seconds later, the reply came:

Got it.

Ill just sweet-talk her when I get back.

4.

Six months later, John was preparing to return. The mole was dealt with. Everyone knew he wasnt dead. But he waited all night and received no call from me.

Your wife must be mad, she cried so much at the funeral.

His brother urged him to call me. But he wouldnt. He was accustomed to me being the one to give in.

Spoiled her too much. She can call or not.

However, he didnt expect me not to meet him at the airport. I used to go, even in the middle of the night. He waited for half an hour at the airport, watching the comings and goings, but I wasnt there. He clutched the gift he bought for me, an inexplicable irritation bubbling up.

Home.

The driver asked, Which home?

John raised an eyebrow. Wherever my wife is, thats where Im going.

The driver paused, then hesitantly said, Madam has already moved out.

He frowned. Moved where?

The driver gave an address. Five minutes of dead silence in the car. John let out a soft chuckle. He leaned back casually in the seat, his eyes cold, dark, and subtly mocking, but the amusement didn't reach them.

Why are you giving me Felixs address?

The driver blinked, reminding him: You told us to kick Madam out. She had nowhere to go.

Johns eyes darkened slightly. He knew it was indeed too much to leave me no money and no house. But he insisted on using this to ward off anyone who might try to approach me during those six months. How could an ordinary woman like me, without money, attract anyone to sleep with a widow?

The comments exploded with excitement:

[Serves the second female lead right! Ive been annoyed at her spending the male leads money for ages!]

[Never mind the second female lead, whats up with the male lead? What happened to falling in love over time?]

[On the island, the female lead almost fell for the male leads dog and still couldnt get a word in with the male lead.]

[Instead, the male lead kept staring at the female lead, actually thinking she was trying to steal his dog.]

[But the male lead is definitely not used to the female lead ignoring him.]

[Thats his dog thats not used to it. The female lead stopped bringing food, so the dog has to eat the male leads awful cooking. The male lead has no doubt about his own culinary skills, only that the female lead wants to steal his dog.]

[On the island, besides protecting his dog from the female lead, the male lead was just flipping through the calendar every day, waiting to see his wife. He finally came back, and his wife ran off with someone else.]

[Theres still hope! The male lead found out the second female lead cheated, so the female lead, darling, has a chance!]

The luxury car pulled into Felixs garage, and John went upstairs. The door was ajar; he slipped in sideways. This feeling of sneaking around made him inexplicably annoyed. He was here to find his wife. But the thought of catching her cheating plagued him, doubling his irritation.

The master bedroom was empty. As he expected, Felix himself hadnt even lived in this apartment. My suitcase was in the guest bedroom. He looked up and saw a brand-new mens shirt on the table, with a half-written greeting card beside it: Happy Anniversary, John

He remembered that day he decided to trick me, so he hadn't received an anniversary gift. But this shirt looked like something Felix would wear. Too youthful a style. He had always been dismissive of the things I gave him, mocking my taste, calling them cheap junk. But when I pushed open the guest room door, I saw that junk on him.

John leaned against the window, and the first thing he asked me was, Why didnt you come to pick me up? He and Felix did resemble each other, but their temperaments were strikingly different. When I first met John on our blind date, I instantly fell for him. But now, that face didnt attract me as much anymore.

I dodged his hand. He froze. Before, whenever he returned from a mission, I would always excitedly rush to hug him, and he would always wear a disgusted expression. Now I was avoiding him.

Mad?

Didnt I come back?

I pulled my hand away. Give me back the shirt.

He wouldnt let me dodge, gripping my wrist tightly, his tone turning cold. Thats enough.

I said, Its not for you. I bought it for someone else.

The room was silent for a moment. He gave a soft chuckle, but his eyes were mixed with frost. Who did you buy it for?

Ive only been dead for half a year, and youre already buying clothes for other men?

I said, When you died, I became single. I wanted to buy it the day of the funeral.

His mouth twisted. You didn't even wait for the memorial week. Youre something else.

John turned to leave. Hey

He paused, then heard me say, My clothes. His face darkened further, and he laughed, infuriated. He slowly undressed, revealing his sculpted abs. I turned my face away. He seized my hand, and the more I struggled, the tighter he held, forcibly pressing my hand against his firm muscles.

Do you touch others like this too?

With that, he disgustedly flung my hand away. You sicken me. He smiled like a bastard: Im incredibly glad that no matter how long you tried, you never made me fall in love with you.

With your terrible taste, just like you, whod want it?

He threw the changed clothes at me and slammed the door as he left.

After that day, John never contacted me again. I heard he threw several parties to celebrate getting rid of me. Before, I used to try to control him; his popularity made me insecure. But the more I tried, the more he went out. He never comforted me when I was jealous. He even deliberately played mean, half-joking, half-serious, saying hed seen too many women prettier than me, that I didnt even rank with him.

Can you control me? Jealousy is useless.

Good thing, I wasn't trying to control him anymore. John, who rarely posted on social media, posted a photo of himself eating at home, a party of over a dozen people. The girl holding a small dog behind him was exceptionally pretty.

[Tears in my eyes, the female lead finally got into a group photo.]

[Finally, the second female lead gets to see a photo of the male and female leads. Regret it now!]

[Does anyone know who the second female lead cheated with? Is he so ugly he doesn't even have a name, haha?]

[Second female lead, just disappear. Does she think the male lead will still look back?]

A few days later, I ran into John at a private club. He was in the private room next door. Amidst the clinking glasses, I avoided his gaze, and he didn't spare me a single glance either. Men, when they fall out of love, truly move on quickly. Thats for the best.

I just didnt expect to run into him again at the restroom entrance. He leaned against the wall, dressed in a black silk shirt, a trench coat draped over his arm, his expression cool and nonchalant. Like he was waiting for a lady. He watched me go in, saying nothing. When I came out, he was still standing there. I walked straight past him.

He let out a faint scoff. A long, slender hand gripped the back of my neck, pulling me back with a sudden force. Behind me was another dark, empty private room. He ignored my struggles, slamming the door shut with a "thud" that made me jump. He lowered his head, pressing against me with extreme aggression, grinding his lips against mine. I dodged, he pursued. The more I struggled, the more he recklessly tried to mold me into his body. His Adam's apple bobbed; he had been holding back for a long time. There was a sense that he wanted to suffocate me, then suffocate himself. This was the real him, a total jerk.

Blood seeped from his lips, his breathing was ragged, the corners of his eyes flushed. He raised a hand to wipe my mouth. His voice was low, hoarse, and chilling:

I forgive you for cheating.

Tell me, who is that shameless mistress?

I glared at him. Hes not a mistress.

John froze slightly; he was familiar with this expression of mine. It was the expression I used to instinctively protect him in front of outsiders. It belonged only to him. Now, he was the outsider. Johns heart gave a jolt, and he laughed, infuriated:

Is he worth defending so fiercely?

Did my kiss feel better, or his?

Although I had never kissed Felix, I answered without hesitation: His!

Johns face instantly became cold and sharp. Dont mention him!

I sneered, Youre the one who asked. Before I could finish, he grabbed my jaw and kissed me again. I slapped him hard. He was stunned. He knew I loved his face most.

Youre my wife, his voice held an unmistakable note of grievance. He seduced you, what else is he if not a mistress?

Im not your wife anymore. Ive remarried. I said, word by word, Youre the one acting like a mistress.