Chapter 5 Self Justification

Mark and his two friends gazed at Alex's lifeless body on the ground. One of Mark's friends took a cautious step forward, and his eyes darted between Mark and the gun still clutched in his hand.

"Mark, we need to think about what to do next. Put the gun down," Mark's friend said to him.

Mark slowly lowered the gun, his hands shaking uncontrollably. The room was thick with silence, broken only by the ragged breaths of the men standing around Alex's lifeless body.

The friend who had spoken first ran a hand through his hair, and he was clearly distressed. "We need to clean this up. We can't let anyone find out about this. We need a plan, and we need it now."

Mark, still in shock, nodded numbly. The three men, once so sure of themselves, now faced the overwhelming task of dealing with the consequences of a moment of blind rage.

Mark's friends quickly snapped into action, driven by fear and desperation. The first friend, still visibly shaken, took charge. "We need to move the body. Someone might have heard the gunshot."

They grabbed a tarp from a nearby shelf and spread it out on the floor. With grim determination, they lifted Alex's lifeless body from the chair and placed it carefully onto the tarp. Blood smeared across their hands and clothes, but they ignored it, focused solely on the task at hand.

"Let's get him to the car," the second friend said, his voice strained. They wrapped the tarp around Alex's body, trying to contain the mess, and each took a corner. They struggled under the weight, their muscles straining as they carried him through the dimly lit corridors of the building.

Every creak of the floorboards, every distant sound, made their hearts race. They moved quickly but cautiously, praying they wouldn't run into anyone. When they reached the back door, they carefully pushed it open and peered outside. The coast was clear.

"Quick, to the trunk," one of them whispered urgently. They hurried to Mark's car, their breath visible in the cold night air. Mark popped the trunk, and with a final heave, they loaded Alex's body inside, the tarp rustling as it settled.

They closed the trunk and stood there for a moment, catching their breath. The reality of what they were doing hung heavy in the air.

"Now we need to clean up the room," the first friend said, breaking the silence. They rushed back inside, retracing their steps. Using rags and cleaning supplies they found in a closet, they began scrubbing the bloodstains from the floor and the chair. The process was slow and methodical, each of them driven by a mix of panic and determination.

As they worked, they tried to erase every trace of what had happened. They washed away the blood, wiped down surfaces, and even replaced the lightbulb that had cast eerie shadows earlier, trying to make the room look as normal as possible.

Once they were satisfied, they gathered the cleaning supplies and disposed of them in a nearby dumpster, hoping to cover their tracks. Exhausted and on edge, they returned to the car.

"We need to get rid of the body," Mark said, his voice hollow. They drove in tense silence, heading towards the outskirts of town. After driving for what felt like an eternity, they found a secluded spot near a dense forest.

They pulled over, their hearts pounding in their chests. "This is it," the second friend said. They opened the trunk and, with one last effort, carried Alex's body into the woods. They dug a shallow grave, their hands blistering from the effort, and buried Alex there, then they covered the tarp with dirt and debris.

When they were done, they stood in silence, staring at the disturbed ground. The weight of their actions pressed heavily on them. Without another word, they returned to the car and drove away, the night swallowing them up as they left the scene behind.

The next morning at the Gregory's house, Selena woke up to find Alex missing. Worried, she went downstairs to the living room, hoping to see him there, but he was gone.

"Where the hell is this useless man?" she muttered, heading to the dining room where her family was having breakfast.

Her father, Mr. Gregory, was absorbed in the morning newspaper, while her mother, Mrs. Gregory, and her older brother, Mark, were chatting quietly.

"Mom, Dad, do you know where Alex is?" Selena asked.

Mrs. Gregory looked up, slightly puzzled. "No, dear, I haven't seen him this morning," she replied calmly.

Selena turned to her father. "Dad, do you know where Alex is?" she asked, her voice shaking a bit.

Mr. Gregory lowered his newspaper, looking confused. "I'm not sure, Selena. Alex must be around somewhere."

Feeling frustrated, Selena looked at Mark, hoping for some reassurance. "Mark, do you know where Alex is?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Mark shifted uncomfortably. "I... I'm not sure, Selena," he muttered, avoiding her eyes.

Mrs. Gregory intervened firmly. "Selena, dear, don't worry about Alex right now. Sit down and eat your breakfast."

Selena pushed her thoughts of Alex aside, sat down, and began eating. After breakfast, she still couldn't stop thinking about Alex. She needed him to sign the divorce papers so she could marry a billionaire.

Selena went to the living room to wait for Alex. She sighed softly as she sat on the couch and turned on the TV to distract herself.

As she flipped through the channels, a breaking news segment caught her attention. The headline read: "Dead Body Found at Outskirts of City." Selena's eyes widened in disbelief as the reporter described the discovery of a deceased man in a remote area.

Her hands trembling, Selena froze as the camera zoomed in on the scene. Dread filled her as she recognized the features of the deceased man. It was Alex.

The remote slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor. Shock washed over her, her mind struggling to process the grim reality on the screen. Even though their marriage had been troubled, the news hit her with unexpected force.

A scream escaped Selena's lips, piercing the air with raw anguish. Her family, alerted by her cry, rushed into the living room in a panic. Mrs. Gregory's face turned pale as she saw the television screen, her hands flying to her mouth in shock. Mr. Gregory's newspaper fell from his grasp as he stared at the screen in disbelief.

Mark, visibly shaken, approached Selena cautiously, his own shock etched on his face. "Selena, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Selena could only point at the TV screen, tears streaming down her face. "It's Alex," she managed to choke out between sobs. "He's... he's dead."

The room was filled with an unbearable silence, and only Selena's heartbreaking cries could be heard. The reality of Alex's death sank in, leaving the Gregory family reeling with grief and unanswered questions.

Mrs. Gregory hissed and turned off the television, then she faced Selena.

"Stop crying, Selena, and get a grip on yourself," Mrs. Gregory said sternly to Selena, who was crying uncontrollably.

Selena just couldn't stop crying. Even though she had no feelings for Alex, he didn't deserve to die.

"You didn't even love Alex, so why the hell are you crying because he's dead?" Mrs. Gregory asked harshly.

Selena's sobs grew louder, her tears unstoppable. "I know I didn't love him, Mom, but he didn't deserve this. No one deserves to die like that," she said, her voice breaking.

Mr. Gregory, still in shock, placed a hand on Selena's shoulder. "We'll find out what happened," he said quietly, trying to comfort her.

Mark, though visibly shaken, remained silent. He kept his face neutral, but inside, guilt gnawed at him. He knew he had to maintain his composure to avoid suspicion.

Mrs. Gregory, her expression hardening, took a deep breath. "We need to keep calm," she said firmly. "Selena, go to your room and pull yourself together. We'll handle this."

Selena hesitated but then nodded, her body trembling. She stood up, casting one last, sorrowful glance at the television before leaving the room.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Mrs. Gregory turned to Mark, her eyes narrowing. "Mark, do you know anything about this?" she asked sharply, suspicion evident in her tone.

Mark swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet her gaze. "No, Mom, I don't know anything," he lied, trying to keep his voice steady. "I was with my friends last night. We didn't do anything wrong."

Mrs. Gregory studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. But if you remember anything or if something seems off, you need to tell us."

Mr. Gregory, still looking puzzled, added, "We need to contact the police and find out more details. They might have some information about what happened."

Mrs. Gregory nodded in agreement. "I'll make the call," she said briskly. "Mark, stay here and keep an eye on Selena. She might need someone."

Mark nodded, his heart pounding. He watched as his mother picked up the phone to call the police, his mind racing with thoughts of how to keep his secret hidden. He knew that one slip-up could expose everything, and the consequences would be severe.

Meanwhile, Selena sat on her bed and wiped away the tears on her face. She began laughing wholeheartedly. Mark entered the room and was surprised to see Selena laughing. One minute ago, she was crying, and now she was laughing.

"What's wrong, Selena?" Mark asked as he closed the door.

"I'm just so happy, Mark," Selena replied as she rose to her feet.

Mark was confused by her response. "You're happy? Why are you happy?" he asked, a confused expression on his face.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm happy because Alex is dead," Selena replied with a wide smile.

"But you were crying some minutes ago in the living room," Mark said.

"I was crying so that Mom and Dad would think that I'm really sad about Alex's death," Selena replied.

"So, you mean you're happy with Alex's death?" Mark asked, and Selena nodded.

"Yeah, I'm so happy," she replied. "Now that Alex is dead, I can finally get married to my boyfriend without any concern."

"And who is your boyfriend?" Mark asked curiously.

"I can't tell you his name yet, but he is a billionaire," Selena replied.

"So, you mean a billionaire is currently your boyfriend?" Mark asked, and Selena nodded.

"That's unbelievable, Selena," Mark said. "How did you even manage to have a billionaire as your boyfriend?"

"I have my ways of getting the things I want," Selena replied with a smirk. "And now that Alex is gone, I have the chance to marry my boyfriend."

Mark stared at Selena, trying to process what she had just said. He felt a mix of emotions-shock, confusion, and a growing sense of unease. "Selena, do you understand what you're saying? Alex's death is serious, and you're talking about it like it's a good thing," he said, his voice low.

Selena shrugged, her smile unyielding. "I know it sounds harsh, but you have to understand, Mark. Alex was holding me back. Now, I have the freedom to pursue what I really want," she said, her eyes gleaming with determination.

Mark's unease grew. He couldn't believe his sister's cold-heartedness. "Selena, this isn't right. Alex was our family, and he didn't deserve to die just because you wanted to marry someone else," he said, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and sorrow.

Selena's expression hardened. "You don't understand, Mark. I've always been unhappy with Alex. He was a burden, and now he's gone. I can finally live the life I deserve," she said, her tone icy.

Mark felt a surge of anger. "Selena, people will find out the truth. The police are already investigating, and if they find out you were involved with someone else, it could raise suspicions," he warned.

Selena laughed dismissively. "Let them investigate. I have nothing to hide. My current boyfriend and I were very careful. Besides, who would suspect me? I was the grieving widow," she said, her smile returning. "And besides, I wasn't the one who killed him. So, don't talk to me like I'm the bad guy. I'm grateful to whoever murdered him."

Mark clenched his fists, feeling deep guilt and responsibility. He had played a part in Alex's death, and now his sister was treating it like a blessing.

"Selena, you need to be careful. This isn't a game. Lives are at stake," he said desperately.

Selena sighed, her expression softening slightly. "I know, Mark. But you need to trust me. Everything will work out. Just let me enjoy my relationship with my boyfriend," she said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

Mark nodded reluctantly, torn between loyalty to his sister and the weight of his conscience. He knew he had to keep his own secrets safe, but he couldn't shake the feeling that his actions would haunt him.

"Mom and Dad are with the police, so I'll go see if they've found anything about who is behind Alex's death," Mark said, then walked out of the room.

"I hope the police don't find out what really happened," he muttered as he went downstairs.

In the living room, he saw his parents talking to the police. They were answering questions, and Mark felt nervous when the officers turned their gazes to him.

"Good morning, Mr. Mark," one of the officers greeted him.

"Morning, officer," Mark replied with a forced smile, hoping they hadn't discovered the truth.

"I'm sorry about the death of your brother-in-law," another officer said, and Mark nodded.

"Have you found out who's behind his death?" Mark asked.

"We haven't found out what really happened, but we think Alex was involved in a fight last night with a group of thugs at the outskirts of the city," the officer replied. Mark felt relieved that the police hadn't discovered he was behind Alex's death.

Mark managed to keep his composure, nodding thoughtfully at the officer's words. "Thank you for the update, officer. I appreciate your efforts," he said, trying to sound sincere.

"We're doing everything we can to find out what happened," the officer assured him.

As Mark's parents continued talking with the police, he excused himself and went to the kitchen. He needed a moment to collect his thoughts. He couldn't believe how close he had come to being exposed. The guilt and fear weighed heavily on him.

Selena walked in, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "Are you okay?" she asked gently.

Mark sighed. "I'm alright, Selena. I just feel sad about Alex's death."

"You didn't like Alex when he was alive, so why should his death affect you?" Selena asked firmly. Then, she gave him a suspicious look. "Or do you have something to do with his death?"

Mark scoffed. "Selena, why would you think I killed Alex? You know I wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone kill someone."

"I hope so," Selena replied before leaving the kitchen. Mark sighed softly and followed her out.

The police officers had left, and the family sat down in the large living room. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken tension as they prepared to discuss the situation.

As they settled around the table, the tension was palpable. Mrs. Gregory cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. It was obvious that she wasn't sad or affected by Alex's death.

"We need to call Alex's family and inform them of his death," she said quietly. "They deserve to know what happened, and they should be involved in the arrangements."

"You're right, Mom," Mark said, trying to keep his voice steady. "They need to know."

Mrs. Gregory nodded with a stern expression on her face. "I'll make the call. It's not going to be easy, but they need to hear it from us," she said. Then she stood up and walked over to the phone, her hands shaking slightly as she dialed the number.

The room was silent, everyone holding their breath. After a few moments, she began speaking softly, explaining the situation to Alex's family. The call was brief but filled with sorrow.

When she hung up, she turned back to her family. "Alex's family are devastated," she said without any form of remorse in her voice. "They said they'll be here tomorrow."

Mark swallowed hard, the reality of the situation crashing down on him once again. He had brought this pain to so many people, and there was no escaping it.

Mrs. Gregory took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "We should also plan the funeral for tomorrow," she said. "It's best to lay him to rest quickly, and his family agreed."

Mark sat silently, the weight of his secret pressing down on him. He knew he had to participate, but every mention of the funeral felt like another nail in his coffin. Finally, he spoke up. "I can help with setting up and making sure everything runs smoothly tomorrow."

His father gave him a grateful, albeit strained, smile. "Thank you, Mark. It means a lot to have you involved."

As the family continued discussing the details, Mark's mind drifted. He felt trapped, his guilt threatening to overwhelm him. Selena's earlier suspicion still lingered in his mind, making him feel even more paranoid. He glanced at his sister, who was busy scribbling notes about the arrangements. He wondered if she truly suspected him or if it was just a fleeting thought.

Hours passed as they planned every detail of the funeral. The sun had set, casting long shadows in the room, making everything feel even more somber. Eventually, they had everything set, and the family dispersed to their respective tasks.

"I did this for Selena, so I shouldn't be feeling guilty," he said to himself as he rose from the bed and went to stand in front of his mirror.

"Selena wasn't happy in her marriage with Alex, and Alex wasn't ready to sign the divorce papers. So I killed him. This means I did the right thing," Mark whispered to his reflection, trying to convince himself.