Parting Under the Moonlit River

After five years of marriage, Nora Reynolds finally learned that the man who claimed to have fallen in love with her at first sight had a woman who looked just like her — his true love.

On her birthday, she received many messages and gifts,

but none of them were from her husband, Adrian Cole.

Crossing the crosswalk, she stared at the empty chat window, dazed.

When the car hit, there was a flash of white light, and her mind went blank.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Adrian shielding another woman in the passenger seat.

…

Nora walked into the hospital room.

A tall, lean man was lying on the leather sofa.

The light cast across his sharp profile, illuminating a streak of blood running from his forehead to his jaw.

“You must be Adrian’s wife. Sorry for troubling you.”

The woman’s face carried a hint of apology, and Nora recognized her immediately — Vivian Lane, the famous actress who often appeared on the big screen.

Nora glanced at Adrian, who was resting on the sofa as if nothing had happened, forcing herself to stay calm despite the pain in her chest.

“No trouble at all. But why was Ms. Lane with my husband?”

Adrian slowly opened his eyes, exhaustion clouding the dark gaze.

“Vivian is the widow of my comrade. He just passed away, and I brought her here for the funeral.”

No wonder he claimed he had to travel out of town today, when she had seen him at the mall near their apartment.

Nora frowned. “This is a big deal, Adrian. Why didn’t you tell me?”

For five years, their marriage had been polite and restrained. While not passionate, it wasn’t loveless.

She hadn’t expected him to lie — and for her to catch him.

She thought Adrian would rush to explain, but he just rubbed his brow, weary.

“Nora, we’ll talk about this when we get home.”

Her chest tightened with anger. “You’re hiding it even from me?”

“That’s right, Adrian,” Vivian chimed in softly, “don’t keep it from Nora. I look so much like her, and you almost got hurt protecting me. Explaining it clearly would be best for everyone.”

Nora’s breath caught. Her heart felt like it was being crushed in a fist.

When they’d wheeled her into the ER earlier, she had already seen how much Vivian resembled her.

How could she not suspect that for five years, Adrian had only seen her as a stand-in?

And Vivian calling him “Adrian” so affectionately while referring to her as “Ms. Reynolds”? Was this deliberate provocation?

Not to mention the way she looked at Adrian — far from innocent.

“You’re right, Vivian,” Nora said coldly. “Let’s make it clear then.”

Adrian’s face darkened. “Vivian, enough.”

Nora’s sense of crisis grew sharper.

If Adrian wouldn’t explain, it was because the truth was unspeakable.

“Nora, be good. Go home first.”

She forced a smile. “Will you be back tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll go. I have the night shift anyway.”

Closing the door behind her, she hesitated, but then heard voices from inside.

“Adrian, why don’t you just tell her? Back then I married Holt, and you were so angry you found a woman who looked just like me to replace me.”

“You don’t love her at all. Why not just admit it?”

Nora felt as if struck by lightning, her legs giving out beneath her.

So she had been right all along — Adrian had been lying from the start.

She didn’t want to hear more. She walked away quickly.

When her mother Linda Reynolds called, she was already drafting the divorce papers on her laptop.

After hesitating, she answered and tried to hide her pain. “Hi, Mom.”

Linda sighed. “You’re not coming home for your birthday again this year?”

Nora lied through her teeth. “It’s too far, and work’s busy. I can’t get away.”

“You should transfer back here,” Linda said. “Then find someone local. Whether it’s a family alliance or not, your dad and I don’t care — we just don’t want you to suffer.”

Nora’s throat tightened. She couldn’t hold back her tears. “You always take such good care of me, Mom.”

“Don’t cry,” Linda said, thinking it was just work stress. “Come home, and I’ll make you laugh every day.”

It was meant as a casual suggestion — Linda didn’t expect Nora to agree this time.

“Are there any handsome guys at home?”

Linda chuckled with delight. “Of course. I’ll set you up. When are you coming back?”

“Next Monday. I’ll fly in.”

“And you’re staying this time?”

“Yes.”

Linda was overjoyed. “Then it’s settled. Your father will pick you up.”

Nora had already submitted her transfer request. Her work handover would take a few more days — just enough time to end this shiny-on-the-surface, rotten-to-the-core marriage.

That night, Adrian came home at eight, looking haggard. There were bloodstains on his white shirt, his usual composure gone.

He instinctively reached for Nora, seeking her lips — but the docile wife he knew suddenly flared.

She pushed him away. “Explain what’s going on between you and Vivian.”

“I already explained at the hospital,” he said with irritation. “There’s nothing else to say.”

Nora laughed bitterly, tears stinging her eyes. “She looks exactly like me. Don’t tell me that’s just coincidence.”

“She was my brother-in-arms’ wife. There could never be anything between us.”

Nora’s lips curled in a cold smile. “So you’re saying you didn’t marry me out of spite, to replace her?”