Chapter 2
The funeral had cost one hundred thousand dollars.
Elena knew because she saw the invoice on the table beside her portrait.
Premium ceremonial hall.
Military floral package.
Custom video tribute.
Flag presentation.
Private reception.
Enhanced press coverage.
Dominic had spent more money celebrating her death than he had ever spent respecting her life.
That almost made her laugh.
Almost.
But her lips were cracked from the cold, and every breath still hurt from the mountain air.
She had not come to cry.
She had not come to collapse.
She had come to stand.
The hall was full of people who believed they were attending a tragedy.
Some were soldiers who had trained with her.
Some were neighbors.
Some were Dominic’s business friends.
Some were relatives who had not called her in years but showed up dressed in black for the spectacle.
And then there was Chloe.
Chloe in red.
Not black.
Red.
Kneeling beside Dominic like grief had somehow required a gown meant for a gala.
Elena noticed that before anything else.
Dominic had cried beautifully before she entered.
She had seen it from the side door.
His hand over his heart.
His voice shaking.
His eyes dry whenever no one looked closely.
Then Elena stepped into the hall.
And the mask broke.
Not from love.
May you like
From terror.
Read the full story 👉 Elena saw the expensive funeral before anyone saw her, and the details told her Dominic had prepared more than grief.
