Caged for Him, Crowned by Another

After serving five years in prison for Luke Dashwood, I walked out a free man… only to be handed divorce papers.

It turned out his first love was terminally ill, and the dude's final wish was to become his family before he died.

Swallowing my grief, I signed my name on the divorce papers.

But when I reappeared hand in hand with another man, panic flashed across Luke's face. Suddenly, he wanted me back.

The moment my eyes fell on the divorce papers in front of me, my head roared as if it were splitting apart, a wave of piercing sorrow surging through my chest.

I had spent five years in prison for Luke Dashwood, only to walk out on my first day of freedom and be greeted with this.

Luke's brows furrowed tightly, his voice heavy with hesitation.

"Adam, during these five years, Ian has done so much for me. He even saved my life in a car crash.

"He's an orphan, just like you. Now, he's dying, and he only wishes for a little warmth, a family to call his own. Can't you understand? Just endure this for a while. When he's gone, I'll remarry you."

My gaze dropped to the date on the divorce agreement—it was last Saturday.

That very day, I had been writhing in bed, stomach pain tearing me apart. I begged the prison guard to call Luke.

He never answered. After several attempts, he finally sent me a single message: [I'm busy.]

Turned out he had been busy with this.

Tears blurred my vision as my heart broke in silence. "He sacrificed so much for you, and you want to repay him?

"But what about me? I gave you five years of my life behind bars. What right do you have to sacrifice my happiness in return for his?"

Luke's hand clamped onto my shoulder, his expression pained.

"Adam, I've never forgotten your sacrifice. It's carved into my heart. Just… help me one last time, alright? Ian has been by my side for five years, and he has never asked for anything. This is his dying wish. I can't turn him down. You've always been gentle and obedient… You won't put me in a difficult position, will you?"

So in his eyes, if I refused, I'd be the one making things hard for him?

Was my love for him reason enough to justify endless sacrifice?

Because I was meek and sensible, did that mean I had to yield over and over again?

A sharp ache seized my heart, stealing my breath.

At last, with trembling fingers, I picked up the pen that felt as heavy as a thousand pounds and signed my name.

He pulled me into his arms, relieved. "Adam, don't worry. I won't let you down. Once this is over, I'll remarry you. You can stay here as before. Your identity will only change for a short while."

He thought we still had a future. But this time, it was truly goodbye.