Chapter 3

I decided on a "Celebration of Life" for Ethan.

Maya designed the invitations. Elegant, understated. "A tribute to a life lost too soon."

I sent them out. To family, friends, business associates.

And to Ethan' s closest circle.

The calls started coming in.

Mark, Ethan' s college roommate. "Ava, are you sure about this? It seems... a bit soon. Maybe you should wait."

His voice was strained, awkward.

Sarah, another of his "gang." "Oh, Ava, honey, it's a lovely idea, but so public. Don't you want something more private, later on?"

They knew. They had to know.

Then Chloe called.

Her voice was pure venom.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Ava?"

"I'm honoring my husband, Chloe. Is there a problem?"

"Honoring him? This is morbid! You' re sick! He wouldn' t want this. You need to cancel it."

Her panic was a small, grim satisfaction.

"He's not here to say what he wants, is he?" I said, my voice calm. "But as his wife, I'll do what I think is right."

"You'll regret this," she hissed.

"I doubt it."

I hung up.

That night, for the first time in three months, I slept soundly.

The thought of Ethan, of Chloe, their lies, their cruelty, no longer brought pain.

It brought focus.

Ethan complained I was "too obsessed" with the bakery's success.

He had no idea what obsession truly looked like.

He was about to find out.