Divorced And Married To The Wrong Twin

Chapter 4 - Dirty Game

MIRA

Miriam and everyone in the courtroom glanced at me accusingly. In that moment, I knew there was nothing I could say to make her, or anyone else, believe me. They had truly believed I was the one on the screen, kissing a man who resembled Roman, except for the large tattoo stretching from his right shoulder to his elbow and the hair color.

I mean, it wasn’t their fault. If I weren’t me, I would have believed it too, considering how real the video looked. Beads of sweat broke across my forehead, and every part of me weakened. I hadn’t expected the game Roman played. Nobody had. Nobody thought he would stoop so low.

“I… this is not me,” I shouted, attempting to stand, but Miriam held my lap. When our eyes met, she shook her head slightly, her lips pursed.

“Why didn’t you tell me there was a video?” Miriam whispered, leaning closer.

“What are you talking about? I don’t know what this video is or where it came from,” I defended, hoping she would trust me, but the look in her eyes said otherwise. It told me she chose to believe the evidence she saw over my words.

“We might not have a choice but to agree to a settlement, Mrs. Monroe. That’s better,” she said. “Just take the one million and move on.”

“What? I said I don’t know where the video came from. It’s been doctored,” I insisted, my chest heaving with frustration. Nobody believed me. Nobody wanted to. The entire attention had shifted from Roman to me. The stares, the accusing fingers, and the murmurs—everything was directed at me. It made me feel like some kind of criminal.

“And mind you, Roman doesn’t have a twin brother. He’s an only child,” I added.

Miriam’s eyes lit up. At least that got her attention, and she seemed interested in the case again. So I continued, “I’ve never seen or heard of any brother since we’ve been together. His family never said anything like that.” I swallowed, watching her reaction. She looked attentive and curious. “Roman is crazy. I know him very well because I lived with him for six years. He’s ready to do anything to win—whether in business or other situations—and this is one of his tricks.”

“Your Honor,” Miriam stood up almost immediately. Brightness returned to her once-dull expression. She faced Roman’s attorney. “This evidence cannot be considered substantial. We all know how advanced technology has become, and even a video can be manipulated to fit anyone’s imagination. My client lived with Mr. Monroe for six years and has never seen or heard of his alleged twin. In fact, Mr. Monroe has always claimed to be an only child,” she argued.

The smile on Roman’s face didn’t falter after the attack. Instead, it grew wider, reaching the corners of his eyes as my gaze fell on him.

My skin crawled, and my chest felt heavy. There was more. He had more dirty tricks to reveal. To ease the tension building within me, I dug my nails into my skin and bit my lip. I should have known who I was up against and prepared better. Roman wouldn’t give up, not when his whole livelihood depended on this. Regardless, I wouldn’t let him win. I would do whatever it took to avenge Jason.

His attorney rose and adjusted his suit. “Your Honor, we also have pictures and a family register to confirm Mr. Monroe’s twin’s identity,” he said, raising a document. The bailiff stepped forward, took it from him, and delivered it to the judge.

My heart began to pound in my chest. Did he actually have a brother? Although I wasn’t guilty of the accusation, I would still lose if he truly had a twin. Nobody would believe me. Not only would I lose the money, but my dignity would be destroyed. They would think I was really a cheat. Roman had really gone that far. He had forgotten the good and happy memories we shared. He hadn’t just taken away my son—he was about to strip away my pride, integrity, and dignity.

Instinctively, my eyes found him. That stupid, victorious smile was still there. Then he winked and waved at me, as if reminding me of the failure I was. As if telling me he had warned me not to go against him, but I refused. My vision blurred with tears, and countless emotions burned within me. My chest ached as though wolves were clawing at it, while a lump clogged my throat.

“Mrs. Monroe, I don’t think we have a way out anymore,” Miriam mumbled in a low tone. “To avoid losing everything, we have to settle and take whatever they offer.”

A scoff escaped my throat, accompanied by a few tears. Before anyone could notice, I lowered my head and wiped them away. I was miserable enough; adding this would only attract more stares and criticism.

“My client has agreed to a settlement, Your Honor,” Miriam announced after a brief break.

“From this day forward, the parties are no longer bound in matrimony.” The judge turned a page. “On the matter of financial settlement, the court finds that the respondent is entitled to the sum of one million dollars as full and final settlement.”

“What!” My voice shook.

A soft snicker echoed somewhere in the room. It wasn’t hard to tell who it came from.

“No further claims shall be entertained.” There was a pause. “This court is adjourned.”

*

I stood in the middle of the courtroom corridor, my eyes fixed on nothing in particular, my mind racing in all directions at once. The entire situation—the fight—had started and ended so quickly. And I had lost terribly. I didn’t just lose; I was branded a cheat and a murderer. The one who truly caused all this walked away freely, unscathed.

A snort escaped me.

I was such a fool. He warned me to walk away peacefully, but I chose to fight him, only to end up clearing his name and taking the blame instead. I lost my son, my pride, my husband, my family… all in the blink of an eye.

Just as I lifted my gaze to continue walking, I came face-to-face with him—Roman Monroe, now my ex-husband. That smile… that damn smile was still on his lips. A strange, unsettling sensation coursed through my veins.

“How does it feel to lose, ex-wife?” His tone was laced with mockery.

I tightened my fists and bit my lower lip to suppress my emotions. He hadn’t left because he wanted to see my reaction. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Lowering my gaze, I brushed past him, ignoring him.

But he didn’t let me take another step before grabbing my hand. Without giving me a chance to struggle, he pushed me against the wall and pinned me there, raising my hands above my head.

“Still acting stubborn, huh? Didn’t learn your lesson earlier?” he breathed.

My eyes locked onto his. They were dark… dark and unfamiliar. Like they didn’t belong to the man who once treated me so gently at the beginning of our relationship. It felt like the man in front of me was a stranger, and the one I had lived with for years had never existed.

I scoffed. “I’ve learned more than enough, Roman. Not only that, I was stripped of my dignity and labeled a cheat when I’ve always been faithful to you.”

“You caused everything. I told you to sign the papers and leave quietly,” he said. “You chose to challenge me, and this is what you get,” he spat.

The tears I had been holding back finally broke free. This time, I couldn’t stop them. They streamed down my face as my emotions overwhelmed me. I never imagined my marriage would end like this. It still felt like a nightmare… one I desperately wanted to wake up from. To go back to my family, to Jason and Roman.

He grabbed my face, his fingers pressing into my cheeks. “You shouldn’t have pushed me beyond my limit. Blame no one for the trouble you brought upon yourself.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Who I blame isn’t your concern, Roman. Let me go.”

“And if I don’t?” His voice was cold and threatening, making my brows rise.

“What?”

“Will you sue me again?” he asked. “Or tell everyone I cheated with my secretary?” he added, leaning closer. His warm breath brushed against my face as his eyes scanned me. There was a flicker in them I refused to name.

Clenching my jaw, I shut my eyes and held my breath. Gathering what strength I could, I shoved him backward and slipped out of his grip.

“You’ve won, Roman. Let me be,” I said, my breath almost louder than my words. “You’ve successfully discarded me for Flora. You should be celebrating with her instead of being a nuisance here,” I added, attempting to walk away.

However, he grabbed my wrist again before I could take a step and shoved me back against the wall. He towered over me, pinning me in place. His dark eyes bore into mine, making my throat tighten. My breath hitched.

“What did you just say?” His voice was low and dangerous. “A nuisance?”

Sighing, I nodded and met his gaze. “Yes, Roman. A nui—”

The rest of my words caught in my throat when his fingers grazed my panties.