Chapter 1

The Imposter, My Wife, And A Deadly Secret

On our fifth wedding anniversary, my beloved wife was hit by a car right in front of me.

All our friends and family, who had gathered to celebrate, rushed towards my wife, lying in a pool of blood.

But I, a doctor, immediately gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the female driver who had only fainted from shock.

Mr. Hayes, my father-in-law, was enraged. He grabbed my collar, pointing at his brutally injured daughter.

"Look closely! That's the woman who worked so hard for you all these years! Why aren't you saving her first?"

Our relatives surged forward, ready to teach the driver a lesson.

Yet, I, the guy everyone jokingly called a 'devoted husband,' pulled the female driver into my arms, shielding her tightly.

"I'm not saving her, because she doesn't deserve it!"

Mrs. Hayes, my mother-in-law, cradled Elara Hayes, who was covered in blood, and screamed at me, her voice raw.

"If you hadn't mentioned those artisanal croissants from that little French bakery on the corner, Elara wouldn't have gone out to get them and ended up like this!

Do you have any conscience at all?"

Seeing the takeout bag still clutched tightly in Elara’s hand in her final moments, my heart clenched.

The party hadn't even started, and I'd just casually mentioned it.

It was close to the bakery we loved most after we got married, and I’d said I really missed the taste.

Without a word, she’d left our friends and family and hurried out to buy them.

"We've been apart for so long, and you finally came home and wanted these. Of course, I had to get them for you!"

Just a second ago, her gentle smile had been floating before my eyes. Now, only a terrifying mask of blood remained.

The croissants lay scattered on the ground, still steaming, many stained with blood, a truly horrifying sight.

But my face regained its usual cold indifference. I turned to the driver in my arms, gently brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.

"Just because she was getting me croissants, does that mean this driver deserves to be scared unconscious for hitting her?

She just bled a little; look at this girl, her face is ghost-white!"

Everyone gasped, unable to believe these words came from me, the man always seen as deeply in love with Elara.

My brother-in-law, Cameron Hayes, charged forward like a madman, landing a punch square on my face.

"Is that even a human thing to say?!

My sister was in the crosswalk, she wasn't breaking any rules! This woman ran a red light and plowed right into her!

You won't save your critically injured wife, but you're publicly kissing this guilty bitch? You're an animal!"

Liam Miller, my assistant, who had always respected me, quickly stepped in front of me, trying to explain.

"Everyone, calm down! I've already called an ambulance from our hospital!

Boss must have seen that this person's injuries were lighter, and he could manage them, so he prioritized CPR.

And Mrs. Hayes's injuries are too severe, requiring specialized equipment, so he made this choice. Please, everyone, stay rational!"

Hearing the medical student speak, everyone froze, unsure whether to believe him.

Liam looked at me, his face full of expectation.

"Boss, please, explain it to them!

You're about to be promoted to Chief next month, this is no time for jokes!"

I gave him a grateful look, but still shook my head.

"Liam, thank you, but I'm not saving her because of a judgment about the severity of her condition. I simply don't want to save her."

This time, even the strangers watching were furious.

"Damn it, are you even a man?! Not saving your own wife but holding another woman? Did you fall for her because she drives a fancy car?"

"Your wife was in that accident *for you*! How can you be so cold-blooded?"

"How can you just stand there watching your wife's breathing get weaker, doesn't your conscience bother you?"

The light in Liam's eyes instantly shattered.

"But… why?

Don't you remember when I first joined the clinic, you told me yourself that saving lives and healing the sick isn't just a job, it's how we build up good karma, so that one day, when our loved ones are in peril, someone will be there to save them!

But today, you had the chance to personally save her, how can you just watch Mrs. Hayes die?"

My heart ached, but I forced a faint smile, pointing at Elara.

"Who said she's the one I love most?

I made a casual remark, and she rushed out to buy something without a thought for the consequences, even showing off by crossing the street recklessly.

Isn't it her own fault she got hit?"

Our relatives erupted in fury. If the ambulance hadn't arrived, they probably would have torn me limb from limb.

Watching them frantically guide the paramedics toward Elara, I, however, rushed ahead, carrying the female driver directly into the ambulance.

"Don't mind them, let's go!"