The Other Husband

I’ve always been the dependable one. The brother who shows up, steps in, and fixes whatever mess gets thrown our way. So when my twin is forced into an arranged marriage he wants nothing to do with, I do what I’ve always done. I fall on the sword and take his place. It’s supposed to be temporary. A simple switch. There’s just one problem. The woman I’m supposed to marry? She’s everything he’s not looking for… and everything I’ve ever wanted. She’s soft where the world has been hard on her. Strong in all the quiet ways that matter. She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t need saving—but makes you want to be the man who could. And somehow, she looks at me like I already am. Now I’m stuck playing the role of my reckless, charming twin… when in reality, I’m the steady one falling too fast. I’m making promises I have no right to keep, and forgetting this was never supposed to be real. Because when the truth comes out, and it will… I won’t just lose the woman who finally sees me. I’ll have to hand her over to my brother. And pretend it doesn’t break me.

I’ve always been the dependable one. The brother who shows up, steps in, and fixes whatever mess gets thrown our way. So when my twin is forced into an arranged marriage he wants nothing to do with, I do what I’ve always done. I fall on the sword and take his place. It’s supposed to be temporary. A simple switch. There’s just one problem. The woman I’m supposed to marry? She’s everything he’s not looking for… and everything I’ve ever wanted. She’s soft where the world has been hard on her. Strong in all the quiet ways that matter. She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t need saving—but makes you want to be the man who could. And somehow, she looks at me like I already am. Now I’m stuck playing the role of my reckless, charming twin… when in reality, I’m the steady one falling too fast. I’m making promises I have no right to keep, and forgetting this was never supposed to be real. Because when the truth comes out, and it will… I won’t just lose the woman who finally sees me. I’ll have to hand her over to my brother. And pretend it doesn’t break me.