When Marissa opened the door, she expected to see her husband—same hoodie, same face—but something felt off. He didn’t greet her with a kiss. Didn’t use her nickname.
Even the cat hissed. Then he began wandering through the house, asking odd questions about money that didn’t exist. Keeping her composure, Marissa lured him into the basement and locked him in.
She called the real Hayden, who rushed home, stunned. The man who emerged when police arrived looked exactly like Hayden—but something was missing. He was a stranger in her husband’s skin, but without his spirit.
His name was Grant—Hayden’s long-lost twin, separated at birth and raised in foster care. A chance meeting in a bar had uncovered the connection, but Hayden hadn’t taken it seriously—until Grant forced his way into their lives. He wasn’t violent, just lost, and Hayden couldn’t bring himself to press charges.
Weeks later, Hayden found Grant a job, and eventually, they invited him to dinner. It was awkward, but polite. Marissa wasn’t ready to forgive—but she made an effort.
Now, every night, she watches their cat curl up at Hayden’s feet. She knows the real one stayed. And so does Waffles.
