A Lifetime Sealed by a False Oath

While enrolling my son in an elite school, the administrator suddenly tells me my marriage certificate is forged.

"According to our records, your marital status is listed as single."

"But I've been married to my husband, Chandler Leighton, for seven years!"

Behind me, other parents waiting in line burst out laughing mockingly. "Did she just say Chandler Leighton? She must be dreaming."

Amid their ridicule, I leave and head straight to the city hall for a confirmation. And as a wife of seven years, my marital status in the system is stated as "Single".

A cold dread washes over me as I press. "Who is Chandler Leighton's legal wife?"

The clerk flatly spats out a name, "Heather Hammington."

It was that name again!

I rush home, ready to confront Chandler, but pause just outside the door when I hear voices inside.

"It's been seven years, Mr. Leighton. Do you still have no plans to grant Mrs. Leighton a legal status?"

After a lengthy pause, Chandler finally answers, "Just wait a little longer. Heather lost both her parents… I'm the only one who can help her, so she needs this title."

"What if Mrs. Leighton finds out?"

"Danielle loves me too much to leave, even if she finds out. Once Heather has established her foothold in the business industry, I'll make it official with Danielle and give her a true marriage certificate."

He sounds so certain, unaware that I'm standing just outside the door with tears streaming down my face.

"You'll be disappointed, you liar."

I take out my phone and dial a number I haven't called in years. "Mom, I accept the Atwoods' marriage arrangement."

When I registered my son—Alfie Leighton—at an elite school, I discovered that my marriage was nothing but an outrageous farce.

"Apologies, ma'am. Your marital status is single according to our records."

"That can't be right. I've been married to my husband, Chandler Leighton, for seven years!" I protested in disbelief, but the parents behind me started muttering impatiently.

"Chandler Leighton? She's got nerve."

"How naive she is to think that a fake certificate will get her kid into this school."

"Whose mistress is this? Get her out already; I'm in a hurry to register my daughter!"

Clearly annoyed, the staff repeated. "Ma'am, without legal proof of family relations, you can't continue holding up the line."

I had no choice but to leave and head over to the local city hall to check. The records said the same thing—that my marriage status column stated "Single".

Refusing to believe it, I asked, "Who's listed as Chandler Leighton's legal wife?"

The staff glanced at the screen and flatly uttered a name, "Heather Hammington."

My hands clenched around the forged marriage certificate I'd carried for years, my vision swimming as I could barely keep my balance.

Heather Hammington… Of course, I knew that name.

During the third year of my marriage with Chandler, I returned early after a month's business trip and didn't tell him. I'd been planning a