A Decade Under Borrowed Skin

By the time the Lord of the Underworld came to find me, Cecelia and I hadn't spoken in half a month.

The mistake was entirely the underworld's fault, yet the Lord of the Underworld spoke in a cold, unyielding voice that left no room for refusal. "The underworld made a clerical error and accidentally swapped your soul with the real Wesley Snyder's. Everyone has their own fated ties and trials to face, so you and the real Wesley must switch back."

If this had happened before, I would have furiously demanded an explanation. After all, Cecelia and I had loved each other deeply. Who could accept such a sudden separation, especially when they weren't even at fault?

But now, I merely gave a bitter smile and asked, "So when do we switch back? Today?"

"The process will take seven days."

I nodded. Before the Lord of the Underworld left, I asked one final question. "What is the real Wesley like?"

The Lord of the Underworld considered my question for a moment before he answered, "Arrogant. He can't tolerate even the slightest offense, and he always gets even with anyone who crosses him."

So that was the kind of man Wesley really was. In that case, I had truly disgraced his name.

During the ten years I'd spent in his body, I'd been little more than Cecelia's pawn. If she told me to go east, I would never dare go west.

Whenever I grew jealous of how close she and Harold had become, Cecelia only had to say one thing. "Wesley, can't you be a little more understanding?"

And just like that, I would back down.

The past half month of silence was actually the longest I'd ever stood my ground against her. But since I was leaving anyway, it hardly mattered whether I held firm anymore.

Since Cecelia wanted an understanding husband, I would give her exactly that for my final seven days.

…

After the Lord of the Underworld left, I went to Cecelia's study and knocked on the door. "I made your favorite steak. Would you like some?"

Silence followed for a moment before her voice rang out. "Wesley, don't think a piece of steak is going to win me over. I already told you that if you don't apologize to Harry, I'm never speaking to you again for as long as I live!"

The reason Cecelia wanted me to apologize dated back half a month, when she went behind my back to pick Harold up from the airport after his return to the country.

Back then…

Harold posted a video on social media that showed Cecelia nestled affectionately against his chest in the crowded arrivals hall.

The caption read: [The happiest day. I finally got to see the person I love.]

A mutual friend commented: [Are Harry and Cece finally together? Congratulations to them both!]

Harold didn't deny it. Instead, he replied with a heart emoji.

I stared at the post for a long time before I finally left a comment of my own.

[So my wife is the person you love.]

The post disappeared shortly afterward, and almost immediately, my phone rang.

It was Cecelia.

The moment I answered, she snapped at me. "Wesley, do you have to make things difficult for Harry? I've told you so many times that Harry is my best friend. There's nothing dirty about our relationship, no matter what you think!"