All Chapters of The Widow's Gambit: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

"Riley, please accept my condolences. I never imagined Josh would suffer such a sudden accident…"Josh's eyes were red, his expression filled with grief as he looked at me.When they carried in my brother-in-law's body, I immediately burst into tears, playing along with the moment and calling him my husband.Caleb's face was pale and stiff—he was unmistakably, irrevocably dead.He and Josh looked identical. No one suspected Josh had stolen Caleb's identity.After crying for a while, I wiped my eyes and said, "We can't leave the body out for long. We should hurry and have it cremated. May his soul rest in peace."Josh agreed instantly—so eager that it was as if he couldn't wait to destroy the evidence.As he moved the body, I saw the narrow, thin scar between his thumb and forefinger.In my previous life, that very scar confirmed that the one still breathing was Josh.This time, I pretended I hadn't seen a thing.In that life, both Josh and Caleb were on disaster relief duty w

Chapter 2

Josh worked quickly. Before long, he had cremated Caleb's body and returned with a small urn of ashes.Back at the house, the funeral was set up. Neighbors, having heard the news, filtered in to help—their eyes lingering on the memorial photo and that little ceramic pot, their sighs heavy with pity.I didn't have to act much. Haunted by the memories of my last life, my face was naturally pale, my eyes hollow. I looked every bit the shattered widow.Josh, meanwhile, held Catherine in his arms as he said to me, "Catherine just found out she's pregnant. Staying here might harm her health. She doesn't need to keep vigil."He settled her gently into a seat, all tenderness and care.I ignored their display of affection, but Catherine turned to me and spoke anyway."Riley, now that you're… alone… if you need a man's help around here, you can't expect Josh to do it for free, right?" Her eyes glittered with naked greed.Josh chimed in, "Riley, you still have those gold pieces from your

Chapter 3

A sharp ache stabbed through my heart. Even my daughter recognized that was Josh—yet he refused to acknowledge it, hardening his heart even toward his own child.I pulled her into my arms, holding back my tears. "Sweetheart, listen to Mama. That man is not your daddy. Your daddy… he's gone to heaven."I didn't waste another day. With the death certificate in hand, I went straight back to the military district headquarters. I reported my husband's passing to the commander and requested that Josh's military status be revoked.The commander sighed."We received the notification about Captain Perkins," he said, his voice respectful. "The nation thanks him for his service. Please, if there's anything you or your daughter need...""Sir," I said, cutting to the point before my courage could falter. "I need a job. Here. Anything at all—cleaning, clerical, mess hall work. I just need to support my daughter."He studied me, surprised. "The work is hard, Mrs. Perkins. And it would mean relo

Chapter 4

I tightened my grip on the train tickets, instinctively shielding Natalie behind me."Where I go is none of your business. You don't get to control me, Caleb."I deliberately stressed his fake name.Josh's expression stiffened, but he quickly recovered, adopting a tone of practical authority. "Catherine is pregnant. She needs someone to take care of her. If you manage the house like before, I won't let you go hungry."I looked at him, my gaze unwavering. "Josh is dead. As an outsider, I wouldn't dare impose on your family. We are just a helpless widow and child. Catherine is your wife—you take care of her."With that, I turned, taking my daughter's hand to leave.But Josh moved swiftly. In two strides, he was upon us. Before I could react, he snatched the tickets from my hand and, in a few brutal motions, tore them to pieces."You're my sister-in-law," he said, his voice dropping to a threatening register as the scraps fluttered to the ground, "I'm doing this for your own good.

Chapter 5

Catherine stood at the front, several villagers crowding behind her.She let out a piercing shriek, her face contorting as her eyes fixed on Josh's hand gripping my arm."Caleb! What in God's name do you think you're doing?!"The others exchanged uneasy glances, their whispers buzzing like angry hornets."Ain't he her brother-in-law? And in broad daylight...""Would you look at that. Josh ain't even cold in the ground, and they're already carryin' on."Josh flinched the second he saw them. He dropped my arm like it was hot iron and scrambled over to Catherine. "Baby, it's not what it looks like. She came onto me."He pointed a dramatic, accusing finger right at me, playing the wounded party perfectly. "She's confused me for Josh! Said she can't manage without a man and expects me to take over his duties. Wants me to be responsible for both households!"My stomach turned to lead.His words, his look of disgust, the way he positioned himself as Catherine's protector—it was a per

Chapter 6

The commander stepped inside, his sharp eyes sweeping the tense tableau before him. The air grew heavy under his silent scrutiny."The military follows its own laws," he stated, his voice clipped and final. "The survivor's pension and benefits belong to Captain Perkins's spouse and child. No one else has a legal claim."A squad of uniformed soldiers filed in behind him, their disciplined presence instantly silencing the room.When Josh saw the commander, his expression morphed into one of false deference. He rushed forward, his voice slick with attempted charm. "Commander, sir, you shouldn't have troubled yourself. The thing is, Riley here isn't what she seems. She's been putting on a real show for you." He gestured toward me with disdain. "She acts the grieving widow, but she's been trying to trap me, just because I look like my brother. It's pathetic, really."Hearing the title "Commander," my mother-in-law threw herself to the floor with a fresh wail. "You have to see the tr

Chapter 7

I didn't want to engage. I tried to steer Mark away, but Josh caught up in a few quick strides, his hand closing like a vise around my wrist."Riley. I'm talking to you."I turned, yanking my arm back with a sharp jerk, and met his gaze with a flat, cold stare. "Caleb, what gives you the right to question me?"His eyes darted involuntarily toward Catherine. "I'm your brother-in-law. Of course I have a right to be concerned. My brother hasn't even been gone that long, and you're already cozying up to another man? Have you no decency?"I ignored his self-righteous rant and moved to leave, but he sidestepped, blocking Mark's path instead. He looked Mark up and down with open contempt. "You know she's a widow, right? That kid she's got is another man's child. You really want a used woman who comes with baggage?" He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial hiss. "And let me tell you something—I look exactly like my brother. She's been trying to get me to take his place. You

Chapter 8

There was a time when hearing Josh confess his identity like this would have shattered me. I would have clung to him, forgiven everything, and followed him home without a second thought.Now, after witnessing his seamless life with Catherine, all I tasted was the bitter metal of irony.I wrenched my arm from his grasp, staring at him as if he were a stranger. "My husband is dead. Who are you trying to impersonate now? Do you really think I'm that easy to fool?"He reached for me again, urgency in his eyes. "It's the truth! Look, my scar—""Scars can be copied," I interrupted, my voice flat. "I will never believe you."Frustration boiled over in him. He abandoned persuasion and grabbed me, his grip brutal, intent on dragging me away by force. I fought with every ounce of strength I had, a wild, desperate energy born of survival. I shoved him hard, catching him off-balance, and broke into a sprint.He cursed, his footsteps pounding behind me. Just as his fingers grazed the back of

Chapter 9

The leadership summoned both Catherine and my mother-in-law, questioning them separately.Josh, certain victory was already in his grasp, shot me a triumphant look."Riley, I finally see you for what you are. Once my identity is restored, I'll divorce you immediately."I gave no response and simply waited for their questioning to end.A few minutes later, Catherine came out first. The moment she saw Josh, she threw herself onto him with a sweet, clinging "Honey!"Josh instantly jerked away. "Who are you calling ‘honey'? I'm Josh, not your husband."Catherine pouted. "What are you talking about? I practically begged the leaders to believe we were husband and wife."At that, Josh froze.Before he could say anything else, my mother-in-law came over as well, lowering her voice conspiratorially."Don't worry, son. I muddled through it. They won't suspect you're pretending to be Caleb."A cold smile tugged at my lips.He had been counting on them to validate his real identity… yet

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