The Stand-in wife : Married to my Hockey Ex

Avelina’s POV Zayne's warm breath brushed against my neck as I lay curled up in his arms, the morning sunlight gently peeking through the curtains. His fingers lazily traced circles on my bare back while I rested my head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was one of those slow mornings where the world outside didn’t matter, where it was just him and me—our own little bubble of warmth and laughter."You're so clingy in the mornings," he teased, nudging my nose with his."You love it," I murmured, smiling as I kissed his jaw.He laughed, that deep, husky laugh that always made my stomach flutter. "You're right. I do."We rolled around in the sheets for a while, play-fighting, tickling, kissing. He pinned me down gently, his face hovering over mine. "Say you're mine.""I’m yours," I whispered, giggling."Forever?""Forever."He kissed me again, slower this time, like he wanted to memorize the moment. I was so lost in him that I almost forgot about time.“H

~ZayneThe roar of the crowd still echoed behind us as I jogged off the ice, my skates clicking against the concrete floor. My teammates were all fired up, yelling and laughing, still high on adrenaline after our last match. I yanked off my helmet, sweat dripping down my face, and raked my fingers through my damp hair.“Guys!” someone called from the end of the hallway. “Mikhail just landed!”That got everyone moving.We dropped everything and rushed out in a group, like a pack of wolves on the hunt. I was still half in my hockey gear — jersey clinging to my chest, shin guards strapped on — as we spilled outside into the chilly parking lot. A black car had just pulled up, and out stepped Mikhail, tall and smug as ever, duffel bag slung over one shoulder.“MI-KHA-IL! MI-KHA-IL!” the guys chanted, fists raised in the air.He grinned and threw up a peace sign. “Missed me, huh?”I pushed through the group and grabbed him into a quick hug. “Damn right we missed you. What the hell kept you?

Zayn’s POV I tossed in my sleep, trapped in yet another haunting dream.Avelina.She stood on the edge of a bridge, tears streaming down her face, her arms cradling her swollen belly. I was there too—cold, detached, telling her to get rid of the baby. My voice echoed like a knife in the wind.“Zayn, please…”“Do what’s right. End it.”She looked at me one last time, heartbreak etched into every line of her face… then she jumped.The splash thundered in my ears.I screamed her name—“Avelina!”I jolted up, heart racing, drenched in sweat. My sheets were tangled, and the room was dark, silent—except for the loud knock at the door.“Zayn! Wake up, bro!” Mikhail’s voice came through, followed by the door shutting close. “Damn, why you sweating like that? Were you having sex in your dream or what?”I didn’t answer him. My hands were already reaching for a clean shirt from the wardrobe. I tugged on my pants in a rush, my chest tight.“I need to go check on Avelina.”Mikhail froze mid-laugh

ZayneFor a moment I couldn’t breathe. Holding her in my arms like that, staring into her eyes, it was as if the world tilted. I didn’t just see Alina. I saw Avelina.The memory hit me like a blow. The dream I had not long ago came rushing back—the image of her pregnant with our baby, both of them sinking into the water while I stood helpless on the shore. I shook my head hard, forcing myself back to reality. I cleared my throat, trying to ground myself, and with a rough exhale, I pushed Alina back.She stumbled at the sudden movement, her heel catching on the edge of the stone path. I caught her before she hit the ground and straightened her, my hands steadying her shoulders. “I’m sorry,” I muttered. “I didn’t mean to do that.”Her eyes searched my face. “Then why did you?”I dragged a hand through my hair, the weight of everything pressing down on me. Without answering, I sat heavily on the garden chair, staring at the shadows around us.She hesitated before sitting too, her gaze l

AvelinaThe silence of the room pressed down on me. I sat by the window, staring at nothing, my fingers clutched tightly together until my knuckles turned white.I was living a life that wasn’t mine. A life stitched together with lies and fate’s cruel joke. Sometimes, I asked myself if I really had no choice. But I did. I could walk out now. Disappear. Leave all of this behind before the web trapped me completely. Or I could keep wearing her face, her name, her world. Pretend to be her. Pretend until the lie became truth.I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against my hands. If I told Mother the truth… what then? How could she ever believe me? Who would believe such a story—that fate had shifted, switching the lives of two sisters who were never meant to walk the same path? It sounded like something out of a fairy tale, the kind that ends in madness.My chest burned with frustration. The truth was heavy, but so was silence. And every time I thought of him, of Zayne, the storm insid