My colonel husband faked his death, and I remarried.

It was the third year of my marriage to Ryder Vance when he was reported dead, killed in action during a mission. His twin brother, Archer Vance, brought back a blood-stained dog tag, his voice hoarse as he told me, "Mia, Ryder… he's not coming back."

I fainted on the spot.

When I woke up, I frantically tried to go find him, but my mother-in-law, Eleanor, held me back with all her might. Later, I swallowed sleeping pills, slashed my wrists, jumped into a river—three attempts to end my life, and three times I was saved. Everyone whispered, "Colonel Vance and Ms.