Claudia bit her lip, her eyes reflecting resentment. “What do you want from me?” I waved my arm. “I don’t want anything from you. I’m just pointing you a way out. The choice is yours.” As Claudia relaxed her tense facial muscles, I carried on the conversation. “Hank lost everything but you. If I can help him turn his life around five years ago, so can you.” Claudia caught on quickly. “What can I do with his spare change? I wouldn’t be coming to you if I could get the money.” “He doesn’t have anything to his name, but his mom owns a house.” An idea came to Claudia. Upon her return, Claudia proposed to Hank about a business venture, asking Judy to put up her house as collateral for a loan. Judy was reluctant at first, but Claudia asserted that she could do better than I, especially with her overseas education. Besides, Hank was eager to prove himself. He promised to pay back everything with interest within a year, finally persuading Judy to give the go-ahead. To t
“I’m so sorry, but your husband, Hank Johnson, was in a car crash this afternoon. He didn’t make it.” The funeral home employee said, his head hung low, “Our condolences.” News about my husband’s death did not stir any sad feelings in me. Instead, I was eerily calm. “I want to see his body. I need proof that he’s really gone.” “I understand that you’re going through a lot of emotions now, Mrs. Johnson, but his body was badly damaged in the crash. It’s best that you don’t see him in such a state.” Before I could say anything, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law rushed to the scene. “It’s all her fault, Mom! If she didn’t demand some cake, Hank wouldn’t have gone out in the rain and got hit by a truck!” “Why, you! Give me back my son, Rochelle!” Judy, my mother-in-law, came up to hit me, but I grabbed her arm and flung her to the side. She staggered back and tore into me. “You’re vile! You got my son killed and attacked me! My poor son!” “You might want to be mindful o
“You seem eager to have your family dead.” Judy and Lyra looked embarrassed. I told the funeral home staff member, “Since we know it’s Hank, we can have him cremated today.” The cremation seemed to put Judy at ease as she heaved relief. Without a body, the police investigation was dead in the water. However, I was far from finished. The staff member gave me an urn. As soon as we left the funeral home, I scattered the ashes right in front of Judy and Lyra. “You!” Judy put a finger up my face, too furious for words. Lyra rushed over to calm Judy down. “How dare you do this to Hank, Rochelle! I will never forgive you!” “Who cares if it’s dirt or ashes? He’s gone. I’m better off scattering his ashes and be done with it.” I ditched them and went to the police station. With the death certificate in hand, I asked the police officer on duty, only for him to verify and confirm Hank’s death. I felt discouraged. On second thought, things worked out for the best.The
Judy showed up at the office not long after Hank’s passing. Just like in my previous life, she used the same excuse to pressure me into giving her the business.“My son lost his life because of you. Shouldn’t you compensate me?” “What do you want?” Raising my brow, I watched her put on the waterworks. Judy’s expression softened as she acted like she was doing me a favor. “Give your car and house to Lyra. She lost her brother. It’s the least you can do since she needs support.” “And?” “You should give up your business to me. “You’re responsible for Hank’s death, and I don’t have a son to lean on anymore. It’s only fair I get the business.” I could not hold back from chuckling, and Judy was not having it. “You’re happy that Hank is dead, aren’t you? Did you kill him to get with your lover?” Brushing her absurd accusations off, I slid a bank card toward her. “You’re not getting my car, house, or business. “Here’s everything Hank owned. Sign here to acknowledge r
Claudia stood between me and the cabinet. “Where are your manners, Rochelle? It’s bad enough that you’re breaking and entering, but you’re acting as if you own the place.” I put down my arm, an answer clear in my head. The bearded man with a pair of aviators covering half his face was my husband, Hank. Right now, he was hiding in the cabinet in front of me. Well, Hank could run, but he could not hide forever. “I don’t have to act like I own the place.”I dangled the title deed in her face. “I own the place.” While Claudia was lost in shock, I contacted the moving company to get upstairs. Once they started moving stuff, Claudia snapped out of her trance. “Even if you own the apartment, you can’t evict me without notice.” “You’re two weeks behind on rent. I paid for you, but you can leave now.” It did not take long for the moving company to clear the apartment. Claudia sobbed and whimpered outside the apartment lobby, attracting a lot of attention. “Hank and I br
With everything in place the next morning, I went live. I talked about how I paid off Hank’s debts, how we built RH’s Table together, our marriage, and his tragic passing on our wedding anniversary. By the end, I was inconsolable, my face pale. The public was touched by our love story. [It has been ten years since my first love got sick and passed away. I’m still not over it. It hurts when I think about it. I understand how she feels.][I can’t imagine her pain. They had been through so much together, only for her to lose him at their best.][I’ve been to RH’s. The food and service were great. Her business needs our support more than ever.]I started trending online alongside Hank, our tragic love story, and business venture. Our past intimate interactions were uncovered and reposted online. Many dropped their condolences on Hank’s social media page. Hank could not leave the house anymore. He was constantly in hiding, too scared to be seen. Claudia could not take it
Hank could brush off my comment, but several of the public took notice. They raised the same doubt. [That’s right. There’s no way that two people share the same birthmark. If you’re Hank, show us your birthmark!][Of all the times you could’ve shown up, why wait until now when the case garners a lot of attention? Is there some conspiracy?][I know this might sound crazy, but I’m thinking of a body double. I’m more curious about who actually died.] Due to my comment, Hank started feeling the heat from the public. I saw my chance and went live, too. The public swarmed into my live stream, requesting that I hop on his stream. I feigned surprise and took up their suggestion. The moment Hank’s face appeared on my mobile screen, I turned on the waterworks. “Babe! Babe, it’s you!” As I cried my eyes out, Hank smiled in delight. “I thought you denied ever knowing me, Rochelle.”I dried my tears and lifted my chin. “You look so much like him. “You’re the closest I’ve seen
Claudia bit her lip, her eyes reflecting resentment. “What do you want from me?” I waved my arm. “I don’t want anything from you. I’m just pointing you a way out. The choice is yours.” As Claudia relaxed her tense facial muscles, I carried on the conversation. “Hank lost everything but you. If I can help him turn his life around five years ago, so can you.” Claudia caught on quickly. “What can I do with his spare change? I wouldn’t be coming to you if I could get the money.” “He doesn’t have anything to his name, but his mom owns a house.” An idea came to Claudia. Upon her return, Claudia proposed to Hank about a business venture, asking Judy to put up her house as collateral for a loan. Judy was reluctant at first, but Claudia asserted that she could do better than I, especially with her overseas education. Besides, Hank was eager to prove himself. He promised to pay back everything with interest within a year, finally persuading Judy to give the go-ahead. To t
Holding the medical report in disbelief, Hank grilled Judy, “What’s the meaning of this? Why don’t Lyra and I have the same father?” Judy’s eyes were shifty. “There can only be one reason.” Hank froze. It took a moment for him to regain composure. “It all makes sense now. “Though Dad was bedridden for a long time, he was always cheerful. He lost his appetite the moment he found out about your pregnancy. He was gone months later. It was because you cheated on him!” Livid, Hank slapped Judy on camera. Judy fell to the ground, whimpering. I was hooked on the screen, munching on snacks. In fact, I had known for a long time that Lyra did not share the same father as Hank. I had come across Lyra’s medical lab report by chance. Judy and her husband had type B blood, yet Lyra was type A. I kept the secret for Judy, not wanting to break Hank’s heart. On my mobile screen, Hank grabbed Lyra. “What about you? Did you know? Was that why you were reluctant to do the test with
Hank could brush off my comment, but several of the public took notice. They raised the same doubt. [That’s right. There’s no way that two people share the same birthmark. If you’re Hank, show us your birthmark!][Of all the times you could’ve shown up, why wait until now when the case garners a lot of attention? Is there some conspiracy?][I know this might sound crazy, but I’m thinking of a body double. I’m more curious about who actually died.] Due to my comment, Hank started feeling the heat from the public. I saw my chance and went live, too. The public swarmed into my live stream, requesting that I hop on his stream. I feigned surprise and took up their suggestion. The moment Hank’s face appeared on my mobile screen, I turned on the waterworks. “Babe! Babe, it’s you!” As I cried my eyes out, Hank smiled in delight. “I thought you denied ever knowing me, Rochelle.”I dried my tears and lifted my chin. “You look so much like him. “You’re the closest I’ve seen
With everything in place the next morning, I went live. I talked about how I paid off Hank’s debts, how we built RH’s Table together, our marriage, and his tragic passing on our wedding anniversary. By the end, I was inconsolable, my face pale. The public was touched by our love story. [It has been ten years since my first love got sick and passed away. I’m still not over it. It hurts when I think about it. I understand how she feels.][I can’t imagine her pain. They had been through so much together, only for her to lose him at their best.][I’ve been to RH’s. The food and service were great. Her business needs our support more than ever.]I started trending online alongside Hank, our tragic love story, and business venture. Our past intimate interactions were uncovered and reposted online. Many dropped their condolences on Hank’s social media page. Hank could not leave the house anymore. He was constantly in hiding, too scared to be seen. Claudia could not take it
Claudia stood between me and the cabinet. “Where are your manners, Rochelle? It’s bad enough that you’re breaking and entering, but you’re acting as if you own the place.” I put down my arm, an answer clear in my head. The bearded man with a pair of aviators covering half his face was my husband, Hank. Right now, he was hiding in the cabinet in front of me. Well, Hank could run, but he could not hide forever. “I don’t have to act like I own the place.”I dangled the title deed in her face. “I own the place.” While Claudia was lost in shock, I contacted the moving company to get upstairs. Once they started moving stuff, Claudia snapped out of her trance. “Even if you own the apartment, you can’t evict me without notice.” “You’re two weeks behind on rent. I paid for you, but you can leave now.” It did not take long for the moving company to clear the apartment. Claudia sobbed and whimpered outside the apartment lobby, attracting a lot of attention. “Hank and I br
Judy showed up at the office not long after Hank’s passing. Just like in my previous life, she used the same excuse to pressure me into giving her the business.“My son lost his life because of you. Shouldn’t you compensate me?” “What do you want?” Raising my brow, I watched her put on the waterworks. Judy’s expression softened as she acted like she was doing me a favor. “Give your car and house to Lyra. She lost her brother. It’s the least you can do since she needs support.” “And?” “You should give up your business to me. “You’re responsible for Hank’s death, and I don’t have a son to lean on anymore. It’s only fair I get the business.” I could not hold back from chuckling, and Judy was not having it. “You’re happy that Hank is dead, aren’t you? Did you kill him to get with your lover?” Brushing her absurd accusations off, I slid a bank card toward her. “You’re not getting my car, house, or business. “Here’s everything Hank owned. Sign here to acknowledge r
“You seem eager to have your family dead.” Judy and Lyra looked embarrassed. I told the funeral home staff member, “Since we know it’s Hank, we can have him cremated today.” The cremation seemed to put Judy at ease as she heaved relief. Without a body, the police investigation was dead in the water. However, I was far from finished. The staff member gave me an urn. As soon as we left the funeral home, I scattered the ashes right in front of Judy and Lyra. “You!” Judy put a finger up my face, too furious for words. Lyra rushed over to calm Judy down. “How dare you do this to Hank, Rochelle! I will never forgive you!” “Who cares if it’s dirt or ashes? He’s gone. I’m better off scattering his ashes and be done with it.” I ditched them and went to the police station. With the death certificate in hand, I asked the police officer on duty, only for him to verify and confirm Hank’s death. I felt discouraged. On second thought, things worked out for the best.The
“I’m so sorry, but your husband, Hank Johnson, was in a car crash this afternoon. He didn’t make it.” The funeral home employee said, his head hung low, “Our condolences.” News about my husband’s death did not stir any sad feelings in me. Instead, I was eerily calm. “I want to see his body. I need proof that he’s really gone.” “I understand that you’re going through a lot of emotions now, Mrs. Johnson, but his body was badly damaged in the crash. It’s best that you don’t see him in such a state.” Before I could say anything, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law rushed to the scene. “It’s all her fault, Mom! If she didn’t demand some cake, Hank wouldn’t have gone out in the rain and got hit by a truck!” “Why, you! Give me back my son, Rochelle!” Judy, my mother-in-law, came up to hit me, but I grabbed her arm and flung her to the side. She staggered back and tore into me. “You’re vile! You got my son killed and attacked me! My poor son!” “You might want to be mindful o