Chapter 1

"I'm back... Laura, I will take back my position."

Laura was silent; she seemed to be holding back her tears. Her feelings were chaotic when fate again did not favor her. Michelle returned and wanted to take the position she had.

"Should I leave when she asked me to replace her? No! It wasn't him who asked me; it was William." Laura's mind rumbled as if she did not want her destiny to complicate her life again, even though the destiny she had right now was not a happy one. However, Laura felt that she could not be toyed with just for the sake of their selfishness.

For two years, Laura was patient and accepted her fate by marrying without love to a man who was the lover of Michelle, her younger sibling.

At that time, Laura was forced to marry William, only because Michelle left for work and a dream that she could not leave behind when the wedding was about to take place. The wedding had to go ahead because otherwise, it would embarrass both parties, especially William's family, so Laura was forced to become the bride, replacing Michelle.

William didn't say much at the time, although it was clear on his face that he was very disappointed with Michelle's decision. However, despite this, William still agreed to marry Laura, even if it was by force, just to replace the woman he loved in order to pursue his dreams.

"I will go and give up my position to you, but only if William asks," Laura said firmly, even though she was never sure if William would keep her.

Michelle smiled sarcastically at Laura's words, "Do you think William will keep you? You're just a substitute, Laura!"

Laura was downcast; she knew very well how William was. Two years into their marriage, they were more like strangers in the same house. The handsome man who served as CEO never warmed up to Laura.

"Whatever it is, I'm still waiting for William's decision." Laura turned to leave Michelle and entered her room.

Michelle chuckled, sitting on the sofa and waiting for William's return. Her return was unannounced to William or even his family, as she thought it would be a surprise for her lover.

Not long after, when William returned, Michelle's face looked happy. As soon as she saw William enter the house, she ran and hugged him.

"Will, I missed you so much..."

William was a little surprised, but still with a flat expression, he looked at Michelle.

"What's wrong? You didn't miss me? Oh, Will... are you still angry? Didn't you agree back then?"

"When are you coming back?"

"Not long ago, after the airport, I was waiting for you here. I surprised you... but you weren't surprised at all. Will, I'm sorry. I promised I would never leave you again; now I'm ready to be your wife..."

Michelle was so spoiled for William; it was witnessed by Laura, who saw her in the distance. Laura's feelings looked very sad because, for her, this marriage was not a game or just a replacement wife.

"I'm married to Laura," William said while looking at Laura, who was standing far away between them without Michelle noticing.

"She's just a substitute for me. You should divorce her," she said to William, hugging her lover's body again.

"Divorce?" mumbled William, which was heard by Michelle.

"Hmmm... you're hard to divorce from her? Well, you can't possibly like her, can you?" asked Michelle, looking sad.

"No, I..."

Michelle smiled and wanted to kiss William's lips, but William turned his face away; for some reason, he felt too lazy to do that.

As for Laura, she left and entered the room. Her heart felt hot seeing her husband intimate with another woman. "Why does it hurt so much? Remember, Laura, you're just a substitute!" murmured Laura sadly.

"You've changed, Will. You never used to reject me. You don't love me anymore?" asked Michelle, with a sad look on her face.

William could only sigh. "I'm tired, Michelle."

"Ah right, you just got off work. Well, rest. Tomorrow I'll be back to see you again. I will meet my family first." Michelle kissed William's right cheek and walked away from her lover's house.

While William was feeling the aftermath of Michelle's departure, he quickly went to see Laura. There was a strange feeling in him when he saw Laura ignoring him.

"Why didn't you come to me?" asked William, as Laura usually always greeted him when he returned from the company.

"Aren't you with your girlfriend? I don't want to spoil the moment you meet again," said Laura without looking at William's face.

"You're my wife!" said William firmly.

Laura smiled slightly. "Wife? That's ridiculous. Have we been living as husband and wife all this time? No, that's just you not being a husband to me, while I have been behaving like a wife, even though you never appreciate it."

William was silent; what Laura said was true. He had always been cold to Laura, whereas Laura had always positioned herself as a wife.

"If you want a divorce, I agree. After all, I'm just a substitute, right? And you never wanted me either! Please divorce me, William Anderson!" Laura said firmly.

"I will never divorce you!" William's emphatic denial made Laura laugh, as if what he said was just nonsense.

"Hahaha... you're so funny... not divorcing me, then, Michelle? Will, I've already sacrificed my life. If I continue as Michelle's replacement in your life, it will only make my life even more ruined. Do you think this is fair to me?"

"Don't be a hypocrite, Laura. I'm sure you're enjoying life as Mrs. Anderson too!"

"Mistress? Do you think I'm happy? After all, not many people know that I'm your wife. Don't beat around the bush, William... decide what you want to do with me. If you choose divorce, I hope you compensate me properly, and if not, will this marriage continue happily? My happiness—I deserve to fight for it, whether it's with you or someone else!" Laura hissed.

Laura asked William to leave her room, and after he left, she opened a drawer in her dressing table, revealing a pregnancy test with two red lines. Her tears fell as she recalled the events of the past month.

"Should he know, or should I keep this from him? I don't know... will he accept you?" Laura looked down and stroked her flat stomach.

"I don't think so, because he might not know if he ever—."