I knew my husband, Ryan Prescott, faked his death and took on his twin brother’s identity, but I never exposed him. Instead, I went to the military commander, informed him of my husband’s supposed demise, and requested his military discharge.

In my previous life, my brotherinlaw died unexpectedly, and my husband resolutely abandoned his position as a Battalion Commander to impersonate his twin, all to prevent his sisterinlaw from becoming a widow.

I recognized him as Ryan, and confronted him about why he was impersonating his younger brother.

Ryan, however, denied it adamantly, coldly pushing me away. “Eleanor, I know you’re devastated that my brother is gone, but you can’t mistake me for him just because he’s dead!” He shielded his delicate sisterinlaw, pushed me into an icy river, and warned me against delusional thoughts.

My fiveyearold daughter cried, asking why her daddy didn’t want her, and was locked in a cowshed to reflect, starving for three days and nights.

My motherinlaw cursed me as a jinx who brought death to her husband, throwing my daughter and me out of the house penniless. Ryan even spread rumors that I had gone mad, coveting my brotherinlaw immediately after my husband’s death.

I was scorned and despised by everyone, clinging to my daughter, numbly dying in the bitter cold of winter. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my husband began impersonating his brother. …

1 “Eleanor, my deepest condolences. I never imagined my brother would meet with such an accident…” Ryan’s eyes were red, his face filled with sorrow as he looked at me.

Seeing the body of my brotherinlaw being carried in, I played along, bursting into tears and calling out to him as my husband. Max’s face was pale and lifeless; he was completely gone.

He and Ryan looked identical, so no one suspected Ryan had switched identities with him. After a bout of crying, I wiped away my tears and said, “The body shouldn’t be kept long. Let’s quickly cremate him.

We shouldn’t deny Max a dignified farewell.” Ryan immediately nodded in agreement, even more eager than me to destroy the evidence. I watched him move the body, a thin, long scar visible on the web of his hand.

In my past life, it was this scar that confirmed to me the living man was Ryan. This time, I pretended not to see a thing. Last life, Ryan and Max were out on a disaster relief mission. Max accidentally suffered a fatal head injury and died instantly.

Ryan, to prevent his sisterinlaw, Serena Miller, from becoming a widow, abandoned his rank as a Battalion Commander and impersonated Max. Outsiders, fooled by Ryan’s deliberate imitation, easily fell for the deception.

But as his wife, who lived with him day in and day out, I recognized Ryan at first glance. I desperately questioned him about why he was impersonating his brotherinlaw, abandoning our daughter and me.

Ryan, however, looked indifferent, denied it vehemently, and violently pushed me away. “Eleanor, I know you’re devastated that my brother is gone, but you can’t mistake me for him just because he’s dead!” In disbelief, I pressed him again and again, only to be shoved into a frozen river in the dead of winter by Ryan.

He stood on the bank, shielding Serena, watching my struggles with cold indifference. “Even if you’re my sisterinlaw, I won’t let you harm my wife!” Serena hid behind him, cursing me as a brazen hussy, accusing me of trying to steal her man right after my husband’s death.

I suffered a high fever for three days and three nights, with only my fiveyearold daughter by my side. She cried, asking Ryan why her daddy didn’t recognize her.

Ryan, however, claimed she was speaking nonsense at my instigation, and immediately locked our daughter in a cowshed to reflect. It took me three days to crawl back from the brink of death, and our daughter was starved for three days and nights.

My motherinlaw again cursed me as a jinx who brought death to her husband, saying I had killed her son. She threw my daughter and me out of the house, not even giving us a single piece of clothing or a penny.

In the snowstorm, I desperately pounded on the door, begging Ryan to save our daughter. But only his cold voice came back: “Eleanor, you’re crazy to mistake me for my brother.

If you can’t face reality, stay away from me.” The villagers all believed him, saying I was cursed to bring death to my husband, and had lost my mind to mistake my brotherinlaw for my husband.

I held my daughter, nowhere to go, cold and hungry in the depths of winter, and eventually froze to death on the street. Thinking of all this, a fire ignited in my heart; I wished I could drag that entire family down to hell with me.

Watching Ryan eagerly send his brotherinlaw’s body for cremation, I thought coldly. Since you want to live happily ever after with Serena, I’ll grant your wish. Be Max for the rest of your life.

2 Ryan moved quickly; it wasn't long before he cremated the body and returned with an urn of ashes. A wake had already been set up at home, and neighbors and friends, having heard the news, came to help.

Seeing a healthy, vibrant man reduced to just a blackandwhite photo and a box of ashes, many sighed with regret. My face was pale and drawn, haggard from the experiences of my previous life, making me truly look like a heartbroken widow.

Ryan, meanwhile, put his arm around Serena, telling me, “Serena just found out she’s pregnant.

It wouldn’t be good for her to be in the presence of the deceased, so she won’t need to stand vigil.” He carefully helped Serena sit down, his face full of tenderness.

I ignored their affectionate display, but Serena spoke to me. “Sisterinlaw, your house is without a man now. You’ll inevitably need my Max’s help with things in the future.

You can’t just take advantage, can you?” Her eyes were filled with greed, demanding favors from me with empty promises. Ryan chimed in, “Eleanor, don’t you still have some gold bracelets and earrings from your dowry?

Why not give them to Serena?” “You’re the elder sisterinlaw, and alone with your child, you won’t need such precious things.” I suddenly looked up, staring fixedly at him.

Those were the only keepsakes my mother had saved her whole life and left to me before she died. How dare he!

Ryan, however, showed no guilt, making his demands with righteous indignation. “You don’t wear jewelry when you do housework or farm work anyway.

Giving them to Serena would put them to good use.” “Also, before he passed, my brother asked me to handle some matters for him.

You should give me all the money he left in the house.” I stayed silent for a few seconds, then covered my face and burst into tears. “It’s gone. Ryan’s money was spent long ago, even my dowry went to support him.

I don’t have a penny left in my hands now.” Ryan retorted, “Impossible! My brother distinctly said there were over five hundred dollars!” I said fearlessly, “He was lying.

He thought it was shameful to be poor, just keeping up appearances.” “Max, your brother is gone, and you’re the only man left in the family.

If you don’t help me and still demand money, are you trying to force my daughter and me to our deaths?!” These words were naturally false, but Ryan couldn’t refute them.

The surrounding villagers, hearing this, looked at me sympathetically, urging Ryan to help his sisterinlaw. Ryan’s face was unpleasant. “My brother said he still had five hundred dollars.

There’s absolutely no mistake.” I sneered, stood up, and dragged all of Ryan’s belongings out. “Ryan only left behind these worthless things.

I’ll burn them for him right in front of you now, so you won’t have to covet them.” I pulled over the brazier used for burning paper offerings, threw Ryan’s documents and letters into it, and lit his clothes on fire too.

Ryan instinctively tried to stop me, then his face went dark and he froze. When I threw the items he had given me into the brazier as well, he finally couldn't hold back. “Eleanor, these are all things my brother gave you.

What do you mean by burning them all?” My voice choked. “The person is gone; these inanimate objects mean nothing.” “Moreover, you’re pressing me at every turn. The moment he died, you started demanding money from me.

I want to ask Ryan, where did he get any money to leave me?!” I spoke through tears, sounding utterly heartbroken, and everyone sighed in sympathy. Ryan’s face was livid, but he could only watch as I burned all his belongings.

Back inside the house, my daughter, Lily, with wide eyes, asked me confusedly, “Mommy, that’s Daddy, why does everyone say he’s Uncle Max?”

3 My heart ached. Even my daughter knew that was Ryan, yet he never admitted it, hardening his heart even against his own flesh and blood. I hugged my daughter tightly, trying hard to control the tears. “Be good, Lily.

That’s not Daddy; Daddy is gone.” That same day, I set off for the military headquarters to see the commander, presenting the death certificate to report his passing and requesting Ryan’s military discharge.

The commander said, “I’ve also learned of Comrade Ryan Prescott’s sacrifice, and I deeply regret it.” “As family, whatever needs you have, the organization will try its best to approve.” I didn’t hesitate, voicing the idea I had considered for a long time. “Commander, I’d like to find work in the military district, just enough to support my daughter and me.” The commander was somewhat surprised. “It’ll be very tough in the military district, and you’ll be far from home.

Have you thought this through?” This was my objective; I nodded firmly. The process was quickly completed. Not only was Ryan’s military status revoked, but I also received a pension and funeral expenses.

Returning home, my motherinlaw was sitting in the courtyard. Seeing me enter, she spoke sharply. “The bringer of bad luck is back? Your husband just died, and you’re out gallivanting all day.

My son was truly unlucky to marry a wife like you.” My daughter sat on the ground, sobbing as she peeled corn. Her small hands were covered in blisters, some of which had popped, leaving red and swollen wounds.

Anger flared in my heart again, and I immediately picked up my daughter. “Lily is only five!

Can’t you see her hands are all cut up?!” My motherinlaw put her hands on her hips, spat viciously. “You little troublemaker, you didn’t give the Prescott family any male heirs and you dare talk back.” “You two outsiders, you want to eat for free without doing any work?” I sneered. “Well, my husband is dead, so I’ll just leave then.

I won’t take advantage of your Prescott family.” With that, I turned to leave, but my motherinlaw wasn’t happy. She rushed over to block me. “If you leave, who will serve Serena while she gives birth to a son?

After eating and drinking for free in our house for so many years, don’t think you can just walk away!” Serena stood by the window, stroking her belly, looking at me with a triumphant expression. “Sisterinlaw, it’s not your fault you can’t give birth to a son.

My belly holds the Prescott family’s only grandson, so he must be well cared for.” Ryan, with one hand supporting her, ordered me, “Mom is getting old, and Serena needs care now. Eleanor, don’t be stubborn.” I couldn't help but sneer.

Why didn't he say I needed care when I gave birth to my daughter? My water broke, and I went to the hospital alone. Not a single person in the family cared about me. My motherinlaw disliked that I didn’t give birth to a son and was indifferent to me.

Ryan was nowhere to be seen, never asking a single question. Why, then, should I work like a dog to serve them? I gritted my teeth, hugged my daughter, and went back to the room, carefully applying ointment to her.

As I walked out, I overheard Ryan and Serena talking. “Max, look at Eleanor. If you weren’t impersonating Ryan to be with me, she would have killed me.” Ryan’s voice was gentle. “Don’t worry, Serena.

For you and our child, I will protect you for life.” “Mom is on your side too. Otherwise, why would she agree to me taking Ryan’s identity?” I clenched my palms, my lips almost bleeding from biting them.

So Serena’s child was Ryan’s, and she and my motherinlaw both knew about Ryan’s impersonation. They had been together longer than I thought. Only I knew nothing, having been deceived by him until now.

Looking at my daughter’s sleeping face, I comforted myself: for the child’s sake, we would soon be able to leave here. Sure enough, two days later, I received news from the commander. He had arranged a job for me, and I could start anytime.

I immediately packed my things, ready to go. But to my surprise, as I stepped out, I was met with Ryan’s livid face. His gaze fell on the train ticket in my hand, his voice icy. “Eleanor, where are you going?”

4 I instinctively clutched the train ticket in my hand, shielding my daughter behind me. “Where I go is none of your business, you have no right to question me, Max.” I deliberately emphasized his name.

Ryan’s face stiffened, then he immediately said, “Serena is pregnant and needs care. If you handle the housework as before, you won’t lack food here.” I looked at him coldly. “Ryan is dead.

I, an outsider, wouldn’t dare to stay in your home.” “Anyway, my daughter and I are just a widow and an orphan, useless. Serena is your wife; you should take care of her yourself.” With that, I intended to leave with my daughter.

But Ryan strode over, snatched the train ticket from my hand unexpectedly. He tore the ticket into pieces in two motions, saying unequivocally, “Eleanor, I’m doing this for your own good. How can a widow with a daughter survive on her own?

You’re better off staying here; at least you won’t starve.” Watching the shredded paper scatter across the ground, I trembled with fury.

I forcefully pushed Ryan away. “You know I’m your sisterinlaw, stay away from me!” He didn’t retreat but advanced, still with that arrogant, impatient look. “Don’t reject my kindness and make things difficult.

I’ve already allowed you to stay here, what more do you want?” I found it laughable. In my previous life, I begged Ryan to save our child, but he allowed my motherinlaw to kick us out.

Now that I was leaving voluntarily, both of them were trying to stop me. “You’re my brotherinlaw, not my husband. I can leave whenever I want.

What right do you have to stop me?!” He frowned, then said, as if compromising, “Eleanor, are you so heartless, so eager to leave the moment my brother dies?” “Then what if I take on both families? You just need a man, don’t you?

I’ll give you a name, and Serena’s child can be considered yours too…” Before he could finish, I used all my strength and slapped him hard.

Ryan’s head snapped to the side, his face instantly darkening. “You’re insane!” “You’re not going anywhere today!” He grabbed my arm, pushing me towards the house. I scowled, struggling desperately.

Amidst my struggle, a sudden commotion erupted outside, and the room door was pushed open. Seeing who had arrived, Ryan was instantly stunned—