He Plays Dead, and I Make It Real

"Serves him right!" Carissa snapped. "I truly don't understand how monsters like him even exist."

She was getting more fired up by the second, so I quickly stopped her. "Enough. Today's Josiah's funeral, so we're supposed to be grieving."

As I spoke, I pulled out my cosmetics bag and applied makeup to dull the healthy flush on my face, layering on shadows until I looked worn down and heartbroken to the core.

After Carissa confirmed I did look haggard from the makeup, we headed to the funeral together.

On the way, I handed her a USB drive containing video proof that Josiah was alive and instructed her to play it on my cue. Once everything was set, I mass texted the funeral address.

Claud was the first to arrive. Dressed in a black suit, he stepped out of the car, walked up to me, took out a white mourning flower, and pinned it to his sleeve. With all due solemnity, he offered his condolences.

Next came a stream of relatives and friends who were still in the dark.

Their grief was genuine, and the sight made my heart clench with a dull ache.

"Josiah, how many hearts have you broken by faking your disappearance? Today, you're going to pay for everything you've done."

Josiah's so-called buddies came last. Their expressions were grim, each paler than the last. Even their hands trembled slightly when they took the mourning flowers from me.

Finally, one of them pulled me aside.

"Stop this, Nicole! Josiah isn't even dead. He's been searching for you like a madman these past few days.

"Haven't you seen the missing-person notices on TV?"

I blinked and forced out two difficult tears. "Don't try to console me. I know that Monica posted those notices.

"The dead can't come back to life, and I'm done clinging to false hope that he's still alive."

He tried to say more, but I shot Carissa a look. She promptly guided the man to a seat.

When most guests had arrived, I stepped onto the stage and adjusted the microphone. "Thank you, all, for taking the time to attend my late husband's funeral—"

My words were cut off by a sharp cry.

"Nicole! Have you lost your mind? I told you Josiah isn't dead!"

Monica stood at the entrance and glared at me with venomous eyes.

"Are you even his wife? He's been missing for three months, so why are you holding a funeral when we haven't even found him? I won't allow this!"

My gaze swept behind her, where there was no sign of Josiah. Even at that point, he still refused to show himself.

From the stage, I looked down at Monica and coldly said, "Who are you to have a say in this? As you just said, I'm his wife."

Her eyes widened and welled up with tears. "How could you be so heartless? Josiah loved you with all his heart, yet you casually declared him dead! What if he's still alive?"

My gaze drifted to her neck, where the red marks hadn't quite faded, and a faint smile touched my lips. "Even if he isn't, a cheating man isn't worth my time or effort."

With that, I gestured for someone to escort her aside and resumed the service.

I was just about to speak again when a disheveled, gaunt figure appeared at the door. He stood there, his voice breaking as he called out, "I'm not dead, babe. I'm back."