Married the Dead; Broke the Living

Felix's eyes widened. He clamped down on my wrist so hard that a bruise bloomed almost instantly.

"Winnie said you're vicious and you put on the helpless act around me. Looks like she was right!"

I looked at a man who no longer had anything to do with me and shook him off. "What difference would the truth make? You don't listen or look. You never see people for who they are."

Felix's face twisted with rage. He swung for me, but a hand caught his wrist in midair. When he and Winnie saw who it was, the blood drained from their faces.

Mr. James and Mrs. Ruby Roosevelt, the wealthiest couple in town and the ones hosting Raphael's funeral, had arrived.

"Ariel will soon carry our name. We won't let the likes of you lay a hand on her."

Before Felix could react, Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt softened their expressions and turned to me with warmth.

"Ariel, we've heard the Magnussens have been tight on funds lately. Don't worry. After what you've given up, we'll back Magnussen Group in full."

Winnie curled her lip and leaned in toward Felix. "I've known about the Magnussens' money troubles for a while. They probably can't afford a proper wedding.

"Ariel's too vain to stomach that. She must have latched onto the richest couple in town, calling them her godparents to scrape up wedding money. I wouldn't debase myself like that."

Felix's brow tightened, and he looked me over with open contempt. "You and Raphael were always at each other's throats. Now you're throwing away your pride for a little money?

"Mr. Magnussen's still alive, and you're already cozying up to people you can't stand, calling them your godparents. You're disgusting. Even if that money paid for our wedding, I wouldn't thank you for it!"

I didn't bother defending myself. Instead, I followed Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt to the nearby funeral home.

When the wealthiest family in town held a funeral, every big name showed up. Felix trailed behind with Winnie, afraid I'd pull something and ruin his reputation.

Dad couldn't bear the thought of me marrying a dead man. He locked himself in a nearby villa and cried himself dry.

The Roosevelts, deeply grateful, took me to get my hair and makeup done first.

"Ariel, when Raphael was home, he spoke of you often. I didn't realize how close you two were, or how well you matched. With you here, we can make his marriage official.

"In a little while, we're afraid we'll have to ask you to wipe him from head to toe as the rite that stands in for the wedding night."

Raphael's portrait wore that same cocky smile, and the thought of facing his body alone sent a chill through me.

But I remembered my last life. Marrying Felix meant there was no one to resolve our family's finances. After all, he'd only taken advantage of the situation and driven us to bankruptcy. Dad had even ended up dead.

With the Roosevelts behind me now, at least Dad could live.

I clenched my jaw, steeling myself. I just wanted to get it over with. "Where's Raphael? Let's start."

Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt wiped their tears and led me toward the room where his body lay.

As I passed Felix, he caught sight of where I was heading and stepped in front of me. "You and Raphael were never close. Why act like you cared so much just to gawk at that awful corpse?

"Here's the deal. Apologize to Winnie now, and I'll agree to a simple wedding. You won't have to go through the rite against your will."

I was speechless.

With the rite about to start, I had no time to argue. I shoved him aside. "I actually want to see Raphael. Even a dead man's easier to stomach than you and Winnie."

Felix froze, stunned that I'd talked to him like that when I used to be so soft-spoken before.

Winnie smirked. "See, Felix? I wasn't lying. She's always nasty to me behind your back."

Her fake innocence made me sick. I slipped past and caught up with the Roosevelts.

"It's been less than a day since Raphael passed, so his body hasn't fully stiffened yet. We kept the bed warm so it would be easier to wipe him down. Thank you for doing this."

Felix stared like he'd misheard, then clamped down on my arm.

"You agreed to wipe a dead man down just to raise money for our wedding? You think degrading yourself will make me love you? When will you stop trying to guilt-trip me? You suffocate me!"

I shoved his hand away. "That's why I chose Raphael. At least he won't suffocate because of me."

I stepped inside. The door closed behind me, and the sight of Raphael's colorless face sent my heart racing.