Devour the poison: His revenge. Her secret.

*Annabel* I struggle to stand on shaky legs, feeling the room spin around me. Tears well up, choking me. My entire world seems to shatter at my feet. One simple statement is all it takes: “I'm sorry, Miss Annabel. You were never married to Mr. Levi; this certificate is a forgery,” the lawyer says; His face devoid of emotion. And in that moment, my life feels like it has crumbled completely. I really can’t believe my ears. Am I hearing wrong? "Is everything okay?” he asks. No. Five years. My heart. My body. Their toy. I feel used. I dedicate five years of my life to doing whatever he asks—even when I don't want to, even when he asks me to share my body with his brothers. I think he does so out of love—that sharing is normal. Now I realize they only see me as a plaything. He never loved me. I was merely a toy to him and his brothers. I leave the office without looking back. I've never been so stupid. The tears I try so hard to control burst free with all the emotions I have never experienced in my entire life. Is there any way to undo the past five years? I don't believe so. I drive home. I reflect on all I have endured, thinking that endurance is what a good woman does. But I now understand I was never truly his wife. Deep inside, something shatters at this crushing reality. I arrive home. I have to pack my things and leave before he returns from wherever he has gone this morning. I rush into the house and into my room, exhaling deeply. It is as I left it. Tatiana's toys are scattered on the bed together with the clothes she wore yesterday before I took her to my best friend’s place this morning. A part of me is grateful she is not here to see me break down like this. I pause to study the room, the room Levi and I have shared these past five years. On this bed, we made love, at least I thought we did. To him, I was just a plaything. Levi will be furious if he finds out I am trying to escape this fake marriage. I need to get the hell out of here before he comes back. So I dash into the closet and start packing my things as fast as I can. Suddenly, I hear noises downstairs. At first, I ignore them, packing as quickly as I can. But the noise grows louder, almost unbearable, so I peek out of my room. Levi and his twin brother, Daniel are fighting—an argument so heated I see bruises forming. I haven’t seen Daniel since I married his brother. He disappeared a month before the wedding. "I told you to keep your damn d**k in your pants, to stay away from her," Daniel yells. His brother, Levi, laughs bitterly. “Why should I? She’s a w***e. She spreads her legs for me without complaint.” "That’s because she thought I was you. Annabel loves me, and I love her," Daniel declares. My nails dig into my palm. My entire body trembles. What is happening? Have I been with Daniel all this time instead of Levi? Maybe I haven’t been hearing properly. "Why are you getting mad over this? Didn’t you let me pretend to be you so I could sleep with her? What’s the real problem now?" Daniel snaps. "Maybe because I like her now, or because you married another woman. I might as well kill you for this," Levi threatens, pulling out a gun. Daniel also draws a gun and aims it at his brother. "You don't have to do this—we can work it out," Daniel says. "No, we can’t. I told you to stay the hell away from her. You think you can take what’s mine? Annabel is mine, and I won't hesitate to shoot you for laying your f*****g hands on her.” Levi growls. Both men point guns at each other, guns loaded and ready. Is this really happening? “Wow, I see you’ve grown some wings while I was away, Daniel,” Levi sneers. “Surprised, brother? We’re both doomed if you try to pull that trigger,” Daniel replies, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Levi smirks. “Then so be it...” My heart pounds loudly in my chest. I can’t watch this anymore; the weight of this truth is overwhelming me. If I don't act carefully, I may not survive. I quietly back away, stopping when I hear: "You can smoothly take your place again. She never knew I was the one she was with all these years. She thought you were the one. So, why don't you just go to her and pretend you've been here all this time?" "You're a son of a b***h!" Levi spits. "You left her five years ago for Camille. Just because your relationship didn't work out doesn’t mean you can come back pretending you give a f**k about Annabel. The poor girl deserves better," the other brother snaps. It suddenly feels difficult to breathe. In a panic, I slip back into my room, bumping into something that startles the brothers. "Who the f**k is there?” they both demand. "Annabel, is that you?” I don't wait. I rush into the room and slam the door. There is no way out except downstairs. My heart beats so fiercely I think it might burst. What am I supposed to do now? Seconds later, both of them pound on the door. "Annabel, did you hear us? Were you listening? You need to open the door," Levi says. I shake my head frantically, sweat dripping down my forehead. "Open this f*****g door or I’ll f*****g put a bullet through it," Daniel threatens. I take a step back, then another, until my legs hit the bed. Am I going to die? I have to do something. Something. God, I can't believe I am about to die. Then, a gunshot shatters the silence. I nearly leap out of my skin as the men rush inside, guns raised.