My Wife Came Home from a Weekend Retreat with a Birthmark She Swore She'd Never Had

It turned out that Ava owned a small house 40 minutes away.

The camera feed was linked to an internet connection registered at that address.

Detective Brooks turned to me.

"We are sending a team now."

"What about Ava?"

"We wait for her."

That hour was the longest of my life.

The officers stayed out of sight. Detective Brooks sat with me in the kitchen.

On the laptop, Alma remained curled on the sofa.

Brooks updated me.

"The team is almost there."

"What if she's hurt?"

"They will take care of her."

At 3:17 p.m., Ava's car pulled into the driveway.

She came through the door carrying grocery bags.

"Victor?" she called.

The officers stepped out.

Ava froze.

For one second, her face became completely blank.

Then she dropped the bags and ran.

She made it three steps before an officer caught her.

She screamed.

Not in fear but in rage.

"Leave me alone! Leave me alone!"

I stood in the kitchen doorway.

"Why would you do that to your twin sister, Ava?" I asked.

"I'm not Ava! I'm Alma!" She screamed.

"No, you're not," I replied calmly.

She stopped fighting.

Her eyes found mine.

Then she laughed.

It was Alma's face.

But it was not Alma's laugh.

"You finally figured it out."

Detective Brooks read her rights.

Ava laughed.

"He didn't even notice at first."

I wanted to hit her.

Instead, I gripped the doorframe.

"The police are already at your house," I said.

Her smile vanished.

For the first time, she looked afraid.

"You found her?"

"You really thought I wouldn't?"

"You were supposed to believe I was her. To live with me. To love me."

The words were so calm that they frightened me more than her screaming had.

"You're insane."

"No, she does not deserve the life she has. I do."

She said it as if it were obvious.

"They always said she got the better life, better friends, better career, and better husband."

"You took her because you were jealous?"

Ava's face twisted.

"She stole everything first. I deserve what she has."

Detective Brooks stepped between us.

"Tell us what happened at the retreat."

Ava looked at me, not at her.

"I followed her."

The words came out almost proudly.

"She always went to the same coastal retreat in spring. I booked under another name. I watched her for two days."

My stomach turned.

"On Sunday morning, she walked along the beach alone. I gave her a drink."

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