My Husband's Funeral, My New Beginning

room, my face a mess of fei

rents were huddled together, weeping dramatically. Nicole stood by the b

be," I wailed, stumb

is skin had a healthy, rosy tint. His

d. He was hea

ed to

rief was a performance, but the rage fueling it was

breakdown, I did something I'd drea

ped hi

, but his body remained limp

wide with "disbelief," and

nd echoed in t

e was comp

," I whispered, m

round me. "He's at peace now, dea

"He was so worried a

lded document. "Maria, Andrew prepared this. H

short and simple. Andrew left

of his

with a mournful sigh. "These were delivered this afternoon. I'm

n agreement. A predatory, high-interest

ital condo. The one I had

the bottom. A perfec

ut broke and in massive debt. They would take my

city of it was

is voice gentle but firm. "Andrew wanted a privat

y, ready to wheel my "dead" husband ou

y voice suddenly

opped and l

my tears away. "There's s

Andrew's wallet. I fumbled through it, my hand

a small, la

the room. "He always said if anything happened, he w

rained from

.. that's not possible. With his condi

eye. "Don't worry. I'm sure the donation network doctors will do a

s er

tt shrieked. "You can't

he donor card. "As his wife and sole heir, I have

mposure shattering. "He's been on me

ns. You signed the death certificate, Nicole. You declared him dead from a s

mouth opening and

One for me, one for Mrs. Scott. I'd seen her discreetly shake a small packet of white powder into o

past the table, my hip "accidenta

rry!" I cried,

second, I sw

the drugged water. "You look like you're

handed the other cup to her husband. "You t

without a se

lack with confusion. Nicole rushed to their side, trying to hold th

u do?" she h

-law does," I said, my voice i

d to deal with them, I turned to the two order

certificate, signe

e ringing with authority. "I'm

, half-conscious bodies. The orderlies, seeing a valid death cert

e load Andrew

back at Nicole. Her face was a m

w she h

e service elevator, my de

remat