Chapter 2

Those last words were pure ice, sending shivers down your spine. And I knew he meant every single one.

I was suddenly grateful my body had been cremated. Otherwise, that scene would have been far worse.

Before the attendant could even protest, Jake was called away by a phone call. Weirdly, my spirit went with him.

I was stuck sitting in the passenger seat, forced to listen to him chatting on the phone to some woman. I knew the voice. It was Ashley, the Harrison’s foster daughter.

Back when Jake and I were still together, she’d come after me, trying to get me to leave him.

When I refused, she started a campaign against me, spreading rumors at my work, getting people to harass me. Jake found out and tore her a new one, threatening to kick her out if she ever messed with me again.

That was the last time she ever tried anything. Jake’s expression hardened when he mentioned me.

“Why are you even bringing her up? She’s bad luck. Besides, I’m pretty sure she’s not dead.”

“But what if she is dead, Jake? What would you do?” Ashley’s voice was cautious, testing the waters.

My heart clenched. I instinctively turned to look at Jake. The old Jake, the one who couldn’t stand it if I even got a paper cut, would have been devastated.

He called me his precious gem, said he’d cherish me forever. But now, Jake just laughed, a cold, hollow sound.

“Then I’d throw a three–day party with fireworks, celebration across the entire town.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. It was only now that I truly understood how much Jake hated me. So much that my death was something to celebrate.

But Jake, I am dead. You just don’t believe it. The car pulled up to a bridal shop. Jake strode inside, all eagerness.

It reminded me of the day we secretly got married, when he brought me to a bridal shop, his eyes shining.

He was desperate to see me in a wedding dress. He’d held me close, whispering how I was the most beautiful bride in the world.

But now, he was looking at Ashley, his eyes soft, full of tenderness, as she stood in a wedding gown.

He gently brushed a stray hair from her face, his voice soft. “Beautiful.”

Ashley blushed, lowering her gaze. When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with tears.

“Jake, I’ve finally got you.”

I stared, stunned, as Ashley kissed Jake on the cheek.