Chapter 3
The phone argument echoed through the room, the sound sharp and frantic.
I got his death certificate.
Dante finally lost control. But I refused to let him find me.
With my pre–packed luggage in hand, I moved into my sister’s house. I didn’t leave for days, only coming out to prepare for the funeral.
The moment my sister entered, she couldn’t hide her smugness. “I heard someone’s losing their mind. The entire city’s been hunting for you like you’ve disappeared off the face of the earth!”
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I sat on the sofa, glancing at the missing persons notice.
A smirk tugged at my lips. “Let them search. I never planned on being found. He said he’d only show up if I lost my mind. Now, look at him–losing it himself. Sounds like he’s the one who’s gone mad.”
She gasped, throwing her hands up in frustration. “I don’t even know what to say anymore! How could anyone be so selfish?”
“Enough. Today is my husband’s funeral. You should act like you’re mourning.”
With that, I grabbed my makeup bag, my hands trembling as I used concealer to mask the redness around my eyes, turning my face into a portrait of sorrow.
“Does this look convincing?” I asked,
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checking myself in the mirror.
My sister eyed me, nodding with approval. “You look perfect–like someone who’s lost everything.”
The two of us left for the funeral.
I sent the video of Dante, alive and well, to my sister, instructing her to play it when the time came.
Nill arrived first, stepping in with his black suit, his face a mask of cold professionalism. He handed me a wreath, his voice steady. “My condolences.”
Then came the classmates, looking every bit the part of mourners, their eyes wide with feigned sadness. Seeing their fake sympathy made my stomach churn, but I kept my
composure.
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Family followed–my heart ached as I saw their grief. Yet, somewhere deep inside, a bitter taste lingered. Dante, what have you done? All this pain–just to escape for a moment?
The last to arrive were his “brothers“-each of them glaring, faces twisted with disdain.
One of them, seemingly brimming with anger, yanked me aside.
“Sis–in–law, this has to stop! Dante isn’t dead! He’s been searching for you nonstop! You’ve seen the TikTok, right?!”
I blinked, fighting back the urge to cry. “Don’t comfort me. That TikTok was Ariya’s doing.”
“Why are you doing this?” he shouted. “You can’t just pretend he’s gone!”
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I held my ground, forcing the words out through a clenched jaw. “Once someone is dead to me, they are gone for good. I’m not holding onto any hope.”
He tried to speak again, but I caught my sister’s eye. She rushed over, pulling him aside. I gave her a silent thanks.
A voice cracked through my quiet, “Dante… Why did you leave me?” My eyes burned, my voice almost breaking.
But before I could continue, a shrill, furious scream cut me off.
“Selina! Are you out of your mind?! I told you -Dante isn’t dead!”
Ariya, her eyes filled with rage, stomped toward me.
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“Dante’s been gone for a month, and you’re already holding a funeral?! You’re burying him without even knowing what happened!” Her hands shook as she grabbed my arm, her grip tightening.
I glanced behind her–no sign of Dante. Still, I stood firm.
“How could you?” Ariya spat. “Dante loved you more than anything, and you just… gave up on him? Just like that?”
Her voice dripped with accusation.
I looked at her, a quiet smile curling on my lips. “Even if he’s alive, a man who betrays me isn’t worth a second of my time.”
The door creaked open, and there he was. A shadow in the doorway, disheveled, barely
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recognizable. His clothes hung loosely on him, his face gaunt, eyes wild.
“Dante?” Ariya’s voice cracked, and she stumbled back, her face pale. “No… No, it can’t be you”
He swallowed, gasping for breath. “Wife… I’m not dead… I’m back.”
Ariya’s scream pierced the air, but Dante didn’t even flinch. He staggered towards me, his voice hoarse.
“I’m sorry… I was trying to…… but I couldn’t leave you behind.”
The room fell silent. Everyone stood frozen.
“You didn’t think about the consequences,” I said, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and hurt. “You thought you could just run
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away, and everything would be fine. Well, look around you. It’s not fine.”
Dante reached out, his hands shaking. “I–I didn’t want this, Selina. I never wanted this.”
My sister, still in shock, whispered, “You can’t just show up like this… after everything…”
But I shook my head, stepping closer to Dante, locking eyes with him. “No more excuses. You don’t get to walk back into my life like nothing happened.”
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