Faking His Death Chapter 03

Faking His Death Chapter 03

Something inside my chest clenched so hard it hurt.

Even my child knew who he was, and he still refused to admit it, cruel enough to deny his own daughter without blinking.

I pulled Nora into my arms and fought to keep my voice steady. “Sweetheart, that isn’t Daddy. Daddy is gone.”

That same day, I went to the base headquarters with the death certificate, reported the loss, and asked for Ethan’s name to be officially struck from the Army rolls and his service record closed.

The commander said, “I’ve already been notified that Ethan Callahan was killed in the line of duty. I’m truly sorry.”

“As next of kin, if you have needs, the unit will do what it can,” he added.

I didn’t hesitate. “Sir, I want a job on base. I just need to be able to feed my daughter and myself.”

He looked surprised. “Base work is exhausting, and it means starting over away from home. You’re sure?”

That was the whole point, so I nodded.

The paperwork moved quickly. Ethan’s service record was closed out, and I was issued survivor benefits along with a funeral stipend.

When I got back, my mother-in-law was sitting in the yard, and the moment she saw me, her mouth twisted.

“The walking disaster is back?” she sneered. “Your husband dies and you’re still out running around. My son must’ve been cursed to marry you.”

Nora sat on the ground with her head down, shucking corn as she sniffled.

Her little hands were covered in blisters, and several had split open, the skin red and swollen.

The rage in me flared up again as I scooped her into my arms. “She’s five. Her hands are bleeding. You really don’t see that?”

My mother-in-law planted her hands on her hips and spat. “You little pot-stirrer. You didn’t even give the Callahans a boy, and you think you get to talk back?”

“Both of you are outsiders,” she went on, eyes hard. “You don’t work, but you still want to live here for free?”

I let out a cold laugh. “My husband’s dead. Fine. I’ll leave, and you won’t have to worry about me mooching off your family.”

I turned to go, and she lunged to block me, suddenly frantic.

“If you leave, who’s going to wait on Brooke and help her bring my grandson into this world?” she snapped. “You’ve eaten under my roof for years. Don’t think you can just walk away.”

Brooke stood by the window with one hand on her belly, smiling like she’d won.

“Lena,” she said sweetly, “you couldn’t give this family a son. I’m carrying the only grandson they’re getting, so you’d better learn your place and take care of me.”

Ethan had an arm around her, steadying her like a husband would, and his voice turned into a command. “Mom’s getting older, and Brooke needs looking after. Stop being stubborn, Lena.”

I almost laughed at the hypocrisy.

When I had Nora, my water broke and I went to the hospital alone, and not a single person in this house even asked if I was alive.

My mother-in-law didn’t care because Nora wasn’t a boy, and Ethan didn’t show up at all, not once.

So what right did they have to demand I break my back for them now?

I clenched my teeth, carried Nora inside, and carefully rubbed ointment over every raw spot on her hands.

When I stepped back out, I heard Ethan and Brooke talking in low voices.

“Ethan,” Brooke murmured, “look at Lena. If you hadn’t stepped into Owen’s life and stayed with me, she would’ve destroyed me.”

Ethan’s reply was gentle. “Don’t worry, Brooke. For you and our baby, I’ll protect you for the rest of my life.”

“And Mom’s always been on your side,” he added. “Otherwise she never would’ve agreed to me taking Owen’s identity.”

My nails dug into my palm until it stung, and I nearly bit through my lip.

So the baby in Brooke’s belly was Ethan’s, and she and my mother-in-law had known all along that he was impersonating Owen.

They’d been sneaking around and sleeping together far earlier than I’d ever imagined, and I was the only one kept in the dark.

That night, watching Nora sleep, I told myself we just had to hold on a little longer for her sake, because we were leaving soon.

Two days later, word came from the commander that my job was arranged, and I could report whenever I was ready.

I packed immediately.

But the moment I stepped outside, Ethan was there, his face set and storm-dark.

His gaze dropped to the one-way ticket in my hand, and his voice turned to ice.

“Lena,” he said, “where do you think you’re going?”