Part 3When He Pretended to Be Comatose, I Declared Him Dead

Powerless to stop me, my in-laws agreed to the funeral. My mother-in-law, her eyes red, insisted on holding a traditional three-day wake, a clear attempt to stall for more time. I knew her game, but I agreed.

Late that night, the memorial hall was quiet, the candlelight flickering. My in-laws were feigning a vigil with me. My mother-in-law took my hand, dabbing at fake tears. “My dear, you’re still so young. After Alex’s affairs are settled… you should find a good man and remarry. Your father-in-law and I will support you.”

I looked at her deceitful, teary eyes and felt a wave of nausea. In my first life, after I was pushed down the stairs, they were the first to cry to the investigators that I had been so overcome with grief, I’d lost my footing and fallen by accident. And now she was encouraging me to remarry? This family was rotten to the core.

“I’m not feeling well. I’m going to go rest for a bit.” I pulled my hand away, unwilling to play along with this viper any longer. I turned and left the hall, but I didn’t go far. I hid just outside the doorway.

Sure enough, as soon as I was gone, my mother-in-law crept over to the casket.

She whispered, “Alex, my boy, you have to wake up soon! Once you’re awake, we’ll find a way to get rid of that woman. Her inheritance, her father’s connections… it will all be ours!”

“That’s right! Wake up, son, we can’t delay any longer!” my father-in-law added anxiously.

In the darkness, my nails dug deep into my palms. The pain kept me sharp. Any last shred of hesitation I felt about sending my husband to the crematorium vanished.

You want me dead? You want my family’s fortune?

Fine. I’ll send your precious son on his way right now.

Exhausted from the past few days, my in-laws finally went to bed, leaving me alone in the hall. I walked to the casket and stared at Alex’s “peaceful” face, my eyes like ice.

I quickly took out the vial of the death-simulating drug I had swapped from Celeste’s office. Under the pretense of adjusting his shroud, I administered a doubled dose, injecting it precisely into the side of his neck. It would delay his revival.

As dawn broke, the funeral began on schedule. Military leaders and Alex’s comrades arrived. Dressed in black, my face was a mask of grief, but my composure earned everyone’s admiration.

“Stay strong, Mrs. Hayes. You’re a remarkable woman,” the General said, his own eyes red as he offered his condolences.

I nodded slightly, my gaze sweeping over the ashen faces of my in-laws and Celeste at the back of the crowd.

“The procession may begin.”

I personally draped the flag over the casket, watching as it was lifted steadily. The hearse started, and with a solemn military salute, it began its slow journey to the crematorium.