When Marissa answered the door, she expected her husband—same hoodie, same face—but something felt wrong. He didn’t kiss her. Didn’t use her nickname. Even the cat hissed at him. And then he started searching the house, asking strange questions about money that didn’t exist.
Trying to stay calm, Marissa tricked him into the basement and locked the door. She called the real Hayden, who rushed home, shocked. The man inside came out quietly when the police arrived—identical to Hayden, but off. A stranger wearing her husband’s skin, but none of his soul.
His name was Grant, Hayden’s twin—separated at birth, raised in the system. A chance bar encounter revealed the truth, but Hayden dismissed it until Grant broke into their lives. He wasn’t dangerous, just desperate, and Hayden couldn’t bring himself to press charges.
Weeks passed. Hayden gave Grant a job, and eventually, they invited him to dinner. It was tense but civil. Marissa wasn’t ready to forgive, but she tried. Now, every night, she watches their cat curl up at Hayden’s feet. She knows the real one is still here. And so does Waffles.