Her Funeral

Chapter 3

Aaron’s house was packed with mourners dressed in somber shades of black, murmuring condolences and exchanging hushed whispers. The air was thick with the scent of fresh lilies and the weight of fabricated grief. A large, framed photograph of Miranda rested on an easel, her smile frozen in time—a cruel contrast to the lies being spread about her even in death.

Aaron stood at the center of the gathering, playing the role of the grieving husband. His voice carried a false tremor as he addressed the room. “Thank you all for coming,” he began, dabbing at his dry eyes with a handkerchief. “This has been a difficult time for me and my family. Miranda… she was troubled in the end. I suspect she was having an affair, and when she couldn’t handle the guilt, she ran off to meet her lover. I don’t know who killed her, but I will ensure justice is served.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd, and Aaron’s mother, Clara, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. His sisters, Lilian and Grace, nodded in silent agreement, their expressions a blend of sympathy and disdain.

In a corner of the room, Alex stood with Josh, who clung tightly to his uncle’s hand, tears streaming down his small face. “I want Mommy,” Josh sobbed, his voice breaking through the room’s murmur. Alex knelt down, his heart breaking as he wiped the boy’s tears.

“Your mommy loves you, Josh,” Alex whispered, his voice firm yet gentle. “We’ll find her.”

The room began to empty as the guests offered their final words of comfort and departed. Soon, only the family remained. Aaron took a seat at the head of the dining table, his posture relaxed, as though he hadn’t just orchestrated a sham funeral.

“I’ve made a decision,” Aaron announced, his tone flat. “I’m going to remarry.”

The room fell silent. Clara looked at her son with approval. “It’s the right thing to do,” she said. “You need someone to take care of you and Josh.”

Grace chimed in, her voice light. “We can start looking for suitable women right away. You deserve a fresh start.”

Alex slammed his palm against the table, startling everyone. “Are you serious?” he snapped, his voice sharp. “You’re not even mourning your wife, Aaron. You rushed her funeral, and now you’re talking about marriage? Her body hasn’t even been found!”

Aaron’s eyes narrowed, his voice icy. “The fact that her body hasn’t been found doesn’t mean she’s not dead,” he said. “And I’m not going to put my life on hold for someone who was likely cheating on me.”

Alex’s fists clenched as he struggled to contain his anger. “You disgust me,” he said through gritted teeth. “Miranda deserved better than this—better than you.”

Aaron smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Don’t act so righteous, Alex. You were never part of this family. You don’t get to tell me how to live my life.”

Josh’s quiet sobs filled the room, breaking the tension for a moment. Alex scooped the boy into his arms, his resolve hardening. “You might have fooled everyone else, Aaron,” Alex said, his voice low but firm. “But you won’t get away with this. I’ll make sure of it.”

Without another word, Alex looked at Josh who was asleep in Stella’s arm and he walked out.

Alex drove out of the compound and he headed to the outskirts of the town , After what felt like hours of driving, He stopped at an abandoned hospital…That was what it looked like from the outside but on the inside this was a well facilitated hospital, The hospital he was treating Miranda who was in coma for months ,He had bought the hospital from the owner and brought in a doctor and his team from overseas to help miranda gain consciousness, it’s been months and yet miranda wouldn’t open her eyes.

He opened the ward and there she was laying peacefully, It was as though she was enjoying a peaceful sleep, Aaron sat beside her and watched her for a while , She had a personal nurse who would clean her up and Aaron had told them to make the room scent ike vanilla, it was the way her old room smelt like when she was with her family, He wanted her to forget the memories of her abusive marriage but she still wouldn’t wake up.

“ Mira , it was your funeral today “ He paused and scoffed.

“ Aaron had gathered people and they all mourned you in front of your son …Mira would you be asleep and watch all of this happen? You promised me that night soaked in your own blood that you wanted to see Aaron kneel and beg you for forgiveness, You cannot do all of that lying here …” Aaron choked in his own tears , he was loosing his mind .

“ Josh…He cried and begged for his mommy…if not for anyone do it for your son “ Alex held her hand he let it all out, He wasn’t one to show emotions but tears rolled down his cheeks and when his tears touched her , It was as though it moved her , he felt her finger moved and he heard low tone muttering.

“ Please don’t let him take my son…”

Miranda was awake !