Chapter 3

Hugo paused. "Cathy, what are you trying to pull this time?"

I smiled bitterly as I pointed at the divorce agreement on the nightstand. "Sign it, or I'll file for divorce. Hugo, I'm tired. Let's stop tormenting each other, okay?"

Hugo looked me over. Then, he stubbed out his cigarette on the table and picked up the papers. He flipped through them, his face growing darker.

"You've thought of everything, huh? Down to the division of our assets. You really are going all out to make this look convincing." A mocking smile spread across his face. "But if you leave me, where are you going to find another stand-in who looks so much like Hayden?"

I braced myself against the bed and forced myself to sit up. Years of pent-up hurt and resentment came pouring out. "Yeah, I did see you as Hayden's stand-in. You've tortured me for years. Isn't this the answer you wanted to hear?"

Hugo slammed his fist on the table, his eyes bloodshot. "Cathy, shut up! How is he better than me?"

My voice shook, but I kept saying things I didn't mean. "He's better than you in every way! Now I see that you're nothing like him. You're not good enough to be his stand-in!"

Something snapped in Hugo. He grabbed my wrist and dragged me to Hayden's room.

Under the cold moonlight, he pointed at Hayden's portrait, a slightly crazed smile on his face. "Aren't you just upset that I haven't come home or fulfilled my duties as your husband all these years? Alright, today, I'll do just that right in front of Hayden!"

I grew frightened and turned to run, sensing something was wrong, but Hugo grabbed me and started pulling at my clothes.

I fought with all my strength, but he held me tightly.

"Hugo, are you insane?"

"Even if I'm insane, it's your fault!"

A warm drop landed on my neck. Hugo's voice was slightly hoarse. "Cathy, you loved Hayden so much, but he died before you could be with him. You must regret that, don't you? So why don't you just treat me as if I were him? After all, Hayden and I look almost exactly alike."

I bit down hard on Hugo's shoulder, making him pause. I quickly seized the opportunity and kicked him in the groin.

The pain made him immediately release his grip on my arms.

I slapped Hugo with all my strength, and blood trickled down the corner of his mouth.

"Hugo, if you lay a hand on me again today, I'll fight you to the death!"