Died at His Funeral, Woke at Our Wedding

My husband, Kenneth Sterling, dies of a sudden heart attack while burning cash bundles at a grave. However, when I arrive to claim his body, I discover a bottle of emergency heart medication in his pocket. The cops offer their condolences, explaining that Kenneth must've been so overwhelmed by grief that he didn't have time to take his medication. I nod in agreement but freeze the moment I see the photo on the tombstone. The woman staring back at me is none other than Kenneth's deceased ex-wife, Roxana Clark. Just then, a recurring reminder pops up on his phone. "1. Withdraw 100 grand from the bank and burn it for Roxana." "2. I've taken a wife to care for my elderly parents. Now, I willingly give up my life to reunite with Roxana in God's embrace." I let out a self-deprecating chuckle. Day in and day out, I work hard and pinch pennies to cover Kenneth's parents' medical bills. Yet, he has been burning stacks of cash for a dead woman for more than a decade. As heartbreaking as it is absurd, my old illness flares up, and I die on the spot. When I open my eyes again, I'm back on the day Kenneth and I tie the knot. Chapter 1 When the cops called, I was in the kitchen preparing beef stew, my husband's favorite dish. "Am I speaking with Mrs. Sterling? This is the police. We need you to come to Southmount Memorial Park right now to identify the body of your husband, Mr. Kenneth Sterling." Kenneth's body? My mind went blank. The spatula slipped from my hand and clattered against the floorboards. "What… What did you just say? My husband? That's impossible. Are you sure you've got the right person? He was perfectly fine when he left home this morning!" The voice on the other end remained calm. "I'm sorry for your loss. Please come over as soon as possible to confirm his identity." I hung up on him and fumbled through my contacts with trembling fingers. I dialed Kenneth's number repeatedly, only to be met with a busy tone every time. It felt as though an invisible hand had clamped around my heart. My fingertips turned ice-cold. "Pick up! Please pick up…" After the fourth attempt, I hung up. Panting heavily, I grabbed my keys and coat and rushed out the door. I flagged down the first cab I saw and forced out, "Take me to Southmount Memorial Park." The driver took one look at me and floored the gas pedal. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I tilted my head back to keep them at bay. Half an hour later, we arrived at our destination. As if snapping out of a trance, I threw the car door open and sprinted over. An officer greeted me with a grave expression. "You must be Mrs. Sterling. Our preliminary assessment suggests sudden cardiac arrest." He led me toward a grove of pine trees. From a distance, I spotted a figure leaning back against a tree. Kenneth's eyes were closed, and his expression was serene. There was even the faintest hint of a gentle smile on his lips. It was him. The last shred of hope in my heart shattered. I stumbled toward him and threw my arms around him, wailing, "Kenneth!" My wrist bumped against something hard. I froze for a split second before reaching into his pocket. To my surprise, I pulled out a bottle of his emergency heart medication from his pocket. He had his life-saving medicine with him. My heart felt as though it were being torn apart. Excruciating pain shot through my body in a heartbeat. I sobbed hysterically, pounding his shoulders like a madwoman. "Why didn't you take your emergency medication? You fool!" The officers exchanged a glance. Moments later, an older officer broke the silence. "Based on our initial findings, the deceased most likely died from a sudden medical episode. At his age, seeing a photo of a loved one may have caused him considerable emotional distress, triggering a recurrence of his preexisting condition. He may not have had time to take his medication." That explanation was bulletproof. I held back tears and turned away, trying to pull myself together. However, my gaze inadvertently landed on a familiar face on the tombstone. The woman was none other than Roxana Clark, Kenneth's ex-wife. I went rigid. The officers beside me didn't notice my unusual reaction. "The lady in the photo is so young. Is she your daughter? My condolences. Please take care of your health during this difficult time..." Right after saying that, he handed me the belongings they had collected. "By the way, these are Kenneth's personal effects. Please keep them." Chapter 2 My hands trembled violently as I accepted the belongings. As if by sheer coincidence, Kenneth's phone began vibrating frantically. One reminder after another popped up on the screen. "1. Withdraw 100 grand from the bank and burn it for Roxana." "2. I've taken a wife to care for my elderly parents. Now, I willingly give up my life to reunite with Roxana in God's embrace." "Wait for me, Roxie." The moment I read those words, it felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over my head. My entire body trembled violently. A hundred thousand dollars... For years, he'd been using my hard-earned money to burn offerings for her. Meanwhile, I'd worked myself to the bone day after day to earn that money. I'd even miscarried because I'd overworked myself when I was younger. The doctor had told me I would never be able to have another child. Still, I'd devoted my life to our little family and looked after Kenneth's daughter, Kendall Sterling. Even though she'd never been fond of me, I never complained. It hit me then that, to Kenneth, all those countless days and nights we'd spent together were worth less than a handful of dirt in a grave. My gaze fell on Roxana's photograph again, and my chest tightened. The pain surged up my throat. I hurriedly clamped a hand over my mouth and doubled over beside the tree, retching. Just then, a woman's voice sounded from behind me. "My dad's dead, so you should know when to make your exit." I whirled around to see Kendall standing there. I had no idea when she had arrived behind me. Her makeup was immaculate, and she regarded me with an ice-cold gaze. "What are you doing here?" I instinctively rasped out. "Of course I have to be here." She sneered, pulled a document from her bag, and thrust it in front of my face. "Sign it." I lowered my head to read it. It was a waiver of asset claims in stark black and white. It felt as though I'd been struck by lightning. I jerked my head up to look her in the eye. "Your father just passed away. What's the meaning of this?" "Isn't it obvious? It means you have absolutely no claim to any of my father's savings or properties," she answered calmly, though every single word cut deep. "He drew up his will long ago. I'm the sole beneficiary. Now, pack up your belongings and get out of my house as soon as possible!" I stared at the young lady I'd poured 20 years of my heart and soul into raising and felt the blood in my veins run cold. "Kendall Sterling, I've raised you for two decades! How could you do this to me?" My voice trembled. "Even though you're not my biological daughter, I've always treated you as if you were—" "As if I were what? Aren't I a tool to keep my dad tied to you?" she sneered. Her eyes were filled with disdain. "Don't make yourself sound so noble. You were nothing but the nanny my father brought in to take care of me!" Kendall took a step forward and lowered her voice. "Do you really think you're the only one by his side? Don't be naive. There were plenty of women far more important than you, and every one of them knew how to make him happy better than you ever could! "Who do you think you are? You were just a housewife who was guarding an empty nest. Did you seriously think you were the only woman in his life?" The color drained from my face. She curled her lips in triumph and stuffed a pen into my hand. "Sign it and scram! If you don't, I have plenty of ways to ruin your reputation and leave you with absolutely nothing." Without sparing me another glance, she turned on her heels. The sharp click of her high heels echoed as she walked out of the cemetery. I stood frozen in place, and I was barely able to hold on to the document in my trembling hands. Hatred surged within me. It was so overwhelming it almost suffocated me. None of this made sense. Why would she say such things? After cooperating with the cops to transfer Kenneth's body to the funeral home, I sped home and frantically rummaged through his belongings. Sure enough, I realized what was amiss. I found another phone. Its photo gallery was filled with intimate pictures of him with different women. Every single woman bore some resemblance to Roxana. I felt as though a thunderbolt had struck me. I charged out the door, heading straight to the funeral home. "Kenneth Sterling, you fucking bastard. I'm going to tear you limb from limb!" I fumed inwardly. But before I could even make it out of the stairwell, Kendall stepped out and blocked my way. Chapter 3 "Where do you think you're going?" Kendall jeered before seizing me and dragging me straight to the rooftop. Years of overwork had left me little more than skin and bones. Hence, she lifted me effortlessly. After hauling me up to the rooftop, she abruptly let go. I stumbled forward, and her voice sounded behind me. "What's the matter? Can't even stay on your feet anymore?" Kendall crossed her arms, standing a few paces away from me. "Then again, someone with one foot in the grave like you can only stir up trouble," she spat out, eyeing me apathetically. I turned around and caught the fleeting sneer at the corner of her mouth. My heart spasmed violently, and my vision instantly went black. I staggered back a step, and my spine crashed against the railing. I could barely keep myself upright. Her sneer widened when she saw that. "What's wrong? Can't take it anymore? My father was right about you—you're just a useless, sickly woman with nothing to offer except a paycheck and free childcare. Now you can't even stand up straight. What a pathetic waste of space!" "How dare you…" The heart-wrenching pain rendered me speechless. All I could do was clutch my chest and gasp for air. My legs gave out, and I slid down along the railing. My heart condition had flared up again, and I had no medication on me. I was as good as dead. Kendall inched closer toward me and snarled, "Listen here, the second you die, I'll throw all your belongings out! You can forget about getting your hands on this house and my father's—" Before she could finish, I reached out and grabbed her ankle in a vice grip. She yelped and lost her balance instantly. "If I'm going down, you're coming with me!" I rasped, using the momentum of my fall to yank her toward me. "Let go of me, you lunatic!" she shrieked, thrashing wildly. Her fingernails raked the air, but we'd already toppled over the guardrail. I braced myself for the agony of death, but it never came. … My eyes flew open, and the first thing I saw was white—white roses, flickering candles, and ivory ribbons. I was sitting on a bed covered with a white satin comforter, dressed in a wedding gown. As I took in my surroundings, my heart pounded. Wasn't this… the venue for Kenneth's and my wedding? Our home? Before I could gather my thoughts, a voice rang out. "My, my, the bride sure is a lucky woman!" The shrill voice dripped with jealousy. "She's gone from rags to riches by marrying Kenneth." I turned toward the voice. It belonged to Gemma Smith, Kenneth's aunt, who never missed a chance to wag her tongue. Gemma was making exaggerated faces as she spoke to the people beside her. Instead of reining herself in, she raised her voice. Her gaze darted suggestively toward my lower abdomen. "If you ask me, Kenneth has so much going for him. He hasn't even been divorced long, so why is he in such a hurry to remarry? Unless..." Gemma covered her mouth and giggled. "She used some special trick to get pregnant first!" The women around her joined in, whispering and casting contemptuous glances my way. If I were the cowardly self from my previous life—whose only desire was to fit into the Sterling family—I probably would've flushed red, lowered my head, and silently endured the humiliation. But now, my heart was filled with a roaring wave of hatred. Before anyone could register what was happening, I sprang to my feet and closed the distance between us. Under the stunned gazes of all the guests, I raised my hand and slapped Gemma across the face with all my might. The entire room fell dead silent. Gemma's head snapped to the side. She clutched her cheek and gaped at me. "H-How dare you lay a hand on me?" "I did it because I wanted to. What, do I need to check the calendar first before I slap you?" I spat out. "You spew filth every time you open your mouth. Clearly, your family failed to teach you how to keep that filthy mouth of yours shut!" Chapter 4 Gemma snapped, "Who the hell do you think you are? You're nothing but a woman who used cheap tricks to climb your way up—" "I used cheap tricks?" I interrupted. I then raised my voice and shot daggers at everyone in the room. "I've done nothing to be ashamed of! Meanwhile, the lot of you have allowed scum like her to make lewd remarks about the bride in her own bedroom. Is this how your noble household conducts itself?" The room descended into total pandemonium. Several came forward to break up the fight, while others accused me of going too far. Gemma, on the other hand, wailed at the top of her lungs and threw a fit. "Morgiana, what on earth are you doing?" Kenneth wove through the crowd when he heard the commotion. His face was ghastly pale as he seized my wrist. He lowered his voice and chided, "Can you stop making a scene in front of all my relatives? Aunt Gemma has had too much to drink. I'll ask her to apologize to you!" "Apologize to me?" I sneered, looking at him. The cold, disdainful, calculating face he had shown me in my previous life flashed through my mind. I yanked my hand out of his grasp. "So this is how your family sees me? I've just married into your family, and I'm already being dragged through the mud. How am I supposed to live like this?" As the wedding descended into chaos, Kenneth's parents, Sam Sterling and Margaret Sterling, hurried over to defuse the tension. Gemma glared at me with bloodshot eyes and jeered. "That's easy for you to say. If you've got the guts, why don't you just divorce him then? Let's see if you're really willing to give him up!" Divorce him? That would be far too easy on them. If I simply left, I'd be doing my past self a disservice. The suffering I'd endured, the tears I'd shed, and the child I'd lost... I was going to make them pay for it all with my own eyes! Sam and Margaret dismissed the guests. Whispering among themselves, the crowd dispersed until only the Sterlings and a few relatives remained. Still, the atmosphere had plummeted to absolute zero. Margaret immediately walked up to me with a stern expression. "Morgiana, I don't mean to criticize you, but what on earth possessed you just now? It's your wedding day. How could you slap someone in front of so many relatives?" Sam stood beside her and chimed in with an equally stern face. "We're a family that values tradition and etiquette. The first thing a new bride needs to learn when she joins our family is to know her place. "After what you did, you must apologize to Gemma and kneel before the cross for an entire night to reflect on your actions!" He wanted me to get on my knees? I let out a derisive chuckle. "Kneel, my ass!" Margaret's expression instantly changed, and she instantly flew off the handle. "What did you just say?" I wasn't wrong, though. I blinked, feigning innocence. "Am I wrong? Didn't you ask me to kneel before the cross? What, do you not have it in your back room?" Her face turned beet red, but she was so furious that she couldn't utter a single word. I curled my lips into a smirk and continued, "I'm not worthy of kneeling before God. However, when you and Sam kick the bucket, I'll happily get on my knees." What could I say? I was a dutiful daughter-in-law. I wouldn't bend my knees for anyone but Sam and Margaret. The moment the words left my mouth, her expression hardened, and she jabbed her finger in my face. "How dare you talk to me like that? Have you lost your mind? Look at the wonderful wife you've married, Kenneth!" Kenneth looked troubled as he was caught in the middle. He looked at me. "You've gone too far, Morgiana." Then, he turned to Margaret. "Mom, Dad... Morg was wronged today." "She was wronged?" Margaret raised her voice. "I think she needs to be taught a lesson. Like it or not, you're going to the back room today!" Having said her piece, she reached out to grab me. The instant her hand came toward me, I swung my arm, sweeping several coffee mugs off the table beside me. The sound of shattering glass was excruciatingly harsh on the ears as shards of glass flew everywhere. The very next second, a little girl cried out. I whipped my head around and spotted little Kendall. I had no idea when she'd hidden in the corner. A stray shard of glass had grazed her arm, and tiny beads of blood were beginning to seep from the wound. Kendall immediately burst into loud, heart-wrenching sobs. Chapter 5 Margaret and Sam instantly panicked and swarmed her. "Kendall, sweetheart, are you okay?" Kenneth tenderly scooped his daughter up into his arms and eyed me reproachfully. "Morgiana, how could you—" I watched the scene unfold apathetically, without a single ripple of emotion in my heart. The venomous words she'd said to me in my previous life still rang in my ears. "Why are you crying?" I asked flatly. "It's just a little cut. It's not like she's dead." As soon as my words fell, everyone in the room was taken aback. Kenneth stared at me in disbelief, too. Roxana, who had watched from the sidelines all this time, immediately sprinted over and pulled Kendall into a tight hug. Tears welled up in her eyes. "How could you say that, Morgiana? Kendall is just a child. She—" I whirled around and cut off her performance. "Save the waterworks! Your daughter isn't dead yet. Why are you wailing like you're at a funeral? "Are you that desperate to show everyone what a loving mother you are? Too bad no one here's buying it!" Her face flushed and paled as she was stumped. I smoothed out my disheveled wedding gown and continued calmly, "I won't be going to the back room, and there's no way in hell I'm apologizing to her. If anyone thinks I'm possessed, they're welcome to find a priest and have me checked themselves." I paused for a moment. I took in Sam and Margaret's livid faces and Kenneth's conflicted expression. "One more thing—starting today, I'm the one who calls the shots in this house!" With that, I paid no further attention to the spectacular array of expressions on their faces and pointed at the door. "Now, all of you, get the hell out of my room!" Margaret wanted to argue, but I picked up the remaining half cup of coffee on the table and hurled it at her feet. The mug shattered into pieces, and she shrieked, stumbling backward. "Scram!" I snarled. Kenneth's expression became as stormy. He held Kendall, who was still in tears, and gritted his teeth before leading everyone out of the room. All the strength drained from my body, and I collapsed onto the bed. Staring at the wedding portrait on the wall, I couldn't help but find the whole situation ironic. Why did it have to be him? Why did it have to be him of all people? My memories dragged me back to the devastating earthquake three years ago. At the time, I was working as a tutor in an old school building. Without a moment's notice, violent shocks tore through the ground. The ceiling came crashing down. I managed to get all my students out, but I was trapped in a narrow void beneath the debris. A crossbeam pressed down on my left leg, and excruciating pain shot through me. Oxygen was running dangerously low. I lost track of how long I had been buried as my consciousness slowly began to fade. Just before I gave up, a faint beam of light shone in. "There's someone down here! Hang in there!" a man called out. Then I heard someone digging through bricks and rubble with his bare hands, accompanied by heavy, ragged breathing. After what felt like an eternity, the rubble above me was cleared. I tried my best to look up and met Kenneth's eyes. Back then, he was simply one of the volunteer rescuers on site. "Don't be afraid. I'll get you out of here." His voice was calm and steady. However, the crossbeam pinning me down was too heavy to move without professional equipment. He actually wedged his own shoulder into the narrow gap and exhausted nearly all his strength to free my leg cautiously. His shoulder was torn and bloodied, but he never let go of me. After I was rescued, he stayed by my side in the hospital. He helped pay my medical bills. He was the one who had pulled me back from death's door. I'd once sworn to repay his kindness with the rest of my life. Yet, all he did was pull me out of one hell, only to trap me in another. In my previous life, I'd revolved my world around him. Thus, I didn't owe him a single thing anymore. In this life… I jerked my head up. The last trace of hesitation in my eyes vanished completely. Since I'd been given a second chance at life, I was going to live it to the fullest. Not a single person who had hurt me was going to get away with it!