Cremation or Confrontation

"Absolutely not!" Felix rushed to speak up. "She hasn't had a proper funeral, and my daughter hasn't had a chance to say goodbye—how can you cremate her?!"

Elowen was quick to back him. "Exactly. Are you even human? Joy hasn't seen her mother for the last time yet. I won't allow an immediate cremation."

Then, Felix's face lit with a sudden realization. "I know! You're rushing to cremate her to cover up your crime, so the police won't find any clues."

Instantly, everyone nodded in unison.

"What a scheming woman! Must be afraid some evidence will be found. Otherwise, why rush to cremate her?"

"And wicked too. She won't even let a little child say goodbye to her mother. It's monstrous."

They moved to stand between Isla and me, shouting at me as one.

"We can't let you get away with this. That poor woman has already suffered enough."

"We'll protect the evidence until the police can make her pay."

Seeing how strongly the crowd supported them, Elowen and Felix exchanged a look and both wore thin, triumphant smiles.

Memories of my previous life prickled at the edges of my mind, and my body trembled with a cold I couldn't shake. "Fine," I said. "If you won't agree, then forget about my compensation or funeral contribution."

At that, I slumped back on the ground and stared at them. "If you're so sure I killed her, then call the cops—let them sort it out."

'Hmph. Let them hurry—when the police come, their true colors will show.'

As expected, Felix ground his teeth. "Alright—we'll cremate her, but you have to hand over her coat first."

His sudden demand for the coat made everything click in my head—of course, the prize ticket had to be in the pocket.

But before I could reply, he reached for it again and tried to snatch it. I clung to the coat with everything I had. In the tug, a small piece of paper fluttered out and drifted to the ground. I grabbed it and saw that it really was my ticket.

Having grabbed it first, I saw the disappointment flash across Felix's face. He glared at me with hatred. "My wife lost her life over this. You must give it to us as compensation."

I frowned at him. "Felix, you just accused me of pushing your wife into the river, and now you say she died because of this ticket. Think before you speak. Besides, you've never even seen the ticket—how do you know it was a big one? Why should I give it to you?"

Felix turned shameless. "Don't question me. Just hand over the ticket now, and everything will be settled. If not, you can pack your bags for prison."

"You're right," I said, pulling out a lighter and looking at him coldly. "Isla died because of this ticket. If it meant so much to her, then fine. I'll burn it and send it to her in the underworld."

A dark, eerie smile spread across Felix's face. "You won't dare do it. You'll never earn that kind of money in a lifetime."

"Is that so?" I quirked a brow and brought the lighter closer to the edge of the ticket. The corner curled from the heat, and a thin plume of blue smoke began to rise. Instantly, Felix cried out, "No! Don't—"

And then, as if dragged back from beyond the grave, Isla suddenly sat up and lunged toward me.