Chapter 1 — Emma's Last Wish
Chapter 1 — Emma's Last Wish
The church remained silent.
Even the rain tapping against the stained-glass windows seemed to pause.
Mr. Halden unfolded the letter with trembling hands.
"I am reading this exactly as Emma instructed," he said. "Every word. Without omission."
He cleared his throat.
If you are hearing this, it means I never made it home.
A quiet sob echoed through the pews.
I covered my mouth.
That was Emma's voice.
Not spoken aloud, but alive in every sentence.
Mom... please don't cry for too long. I know you will anyway. You've always loved me too much for anything else.
My knees nearly gave way.
There is something everyone here deserves to know.
Across the aisle, Evan shifted uncomfortably.
Celeste's smile faded.
If my husband acts surprised by my death... don't believe him.
Gasps spread through the church.
Evan stood abruptly.
"This is outrageous."
Mr. Halden didn't even look up.
He continued reading.
Three weeks before my accident, I discovered Evan had been having an affair with Celeste Monroe for almost two years.
Celeste's face turned white.
Someone whispered loudly.
"Two years?"
Another voice followed.
"She was pregnant."
"I know."
"I can't believe this."
Evan raised his voice.
"Those are accusations from a grieving woman!"
Mr. Halden calmly reached into his briefcase.
"I anticipated that response."
He placed several envelopes on the altar.
"These were also left by Emma."
Inside were photographs.
Hotel receipts.
Private messages.
Bank transfers.
Pictures of Evan and Celeste vacationing together while Emma attended prenatal appointments alone.
The church erupted.
One elderly woman stood.
"You disgusting man."
Another guest shook his head.
"We comforted you."
"We believed you."
Evan looked around desperately.
"This proves nothing."
Then Mr. Halden revealed the final document.
A certified DNA report.
Celeste wasn't only Evan's mistress.
She had secretly ended a pregnancy months earlier...
A child fathered by Evan while Emma carried his son.
The silence afterward felt heavier than any scream.
For the first time...
May you like
No one looked at Evan with sympathy.
Only disgust.
