Chapter 2
The next morning, family and friends showed up.
I texted Emily one last time:
“Lily’s gone. You’re really not even going to say goodbye?”
I wasn’t expecting a response.
Everyone helped plan the funeral.
They offered their condolences. Told me to be strong.
More and more people arrived.
And someone asked where Emily was.
I had no answer.
To them, Emily had always been a great wife. A great mom.
I’d heard it for years:
“You really lucked out with her.”
“She’s amazing.”
That amazing woman?
She’s the reason Lily died.
Emily and I had been childhood sweethearts.
We grew up together. Fell in love. Built a life.
Even Lily used to ask me
“How’d you get Mom to marry you? She’s so cool!”
THOR
we’s Worst Nightmare
Chapter 2
But now that same “cool mom” couldn’t even be bothered to show up.
People tried to excuse her.
“She’s probably just busy.”
“Maybe she hasn’t heard yet.”
But I saw through the whispers.
“What kind of mother skips her own kid’s funeral?”
Because she was busy, alright.
Busy promoting her assistant.
Busy throwing a party.
I watched the funeral home staff roll Lily away.
It felt like someone carved a hole straight through my chest.
Jack, one of my coworkers, rushed over to help.
He looked like he wanted to say something but held back.
I forced a smile-
Worse than crying.
“Just say it, Jack.”
He sighed.
“Emily’s not coming.”
“She got wasted at last night’s celebration.”
“Alan had to carry her home. She’s still out cold.”
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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
Chapter 2
I scoffed.
“She had a good time then?”
Jack hesitated, then added,
“She gave Alan a hundred grand in bonuses… handed out ten grand to everyone at the párty.”
“People were joking Alan’s the real boss now…”
He trailed off.
I just laughed.
Turns out my daughter’s life…
Was worth less than a company party.
“Thanks for telling me.”
I clenched my fist around Lily’s death certificate.
Heat boiling up through my chest.
Family nudged me. It was time to go.
I followed them to the funeral home like a puppet on strings.
On the drive over, Alan texted me a picture.
Emily, passed out in bed.
Clothes a mess.
Half–naked.
Red marks all over her neck and chest.
“Lucas, maybe you should come take care of her.”
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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
Chapter 2
“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
Seriously?
I let out a dry laugh and texted back:
“Why don’t you take care of her?”
“Sounds like she’s all yours now.”
12:08
