When He Pretended to Be Comatose, I Declared Him Dead

He was a special forces captain, my husband. A mission left him in a vegetative state, and a few days later, he was declared brain-dead.
In my first life, I never gave up on him. I kept him alive on machines, only for him to push me down a flight of stairs, killing me instantly.
In my second life, I saw the truth. I requested a transfer, but on my way out of town, he crashed his car into mine. As I lay dying, I asked him why.
His face was a mask of disgust. Your father is a general. Hes the reason Celeste and I were torn apart. That is your crime.
Only when youre dead can Celeste be with me. And Ill still be the generals son-in-law.
I finally understood. He never wanted me to live.
This time, when I received the notice of Alexs brain death, I looked over at the attending physician, Dr. Celeste Schnapp, standing not far away.
Without a moments hesitation, I made my decision.
In that case, lets get a death certificate issued immediately.
Given Alexs situation, applying for a Medal of Valor shouldnt be a problem. We should invite the top brass to the funeral. It needs to be a grand affair.
If he wanted to play dead, I would make sure he was truly dead.
1
The moment the words left my mouth, Celestes expression changed.
She rushed forward, positioning herself between me and the hospital bed.
Maam, please, you need to calm down.
The patient may be brain-dead, but we can still maintain his vitals with life support.
As doctors, we will never give up as long as there is a sliver of hope.
I looked at her sanctimonious act and laughed coldly to myself.
What a convincing performance.
In my first life, I fell for her nonsense. I chose to keep my husband, Alex, on life support.
And what happened?
Alex wasn't dying at all.
He and his first love, Celeste, had worked together. Hed taken a drug to simulate death, orchestrating an elaborate escape.
The first thing he did after waking up was shove me down the stairs. My neck snapped on impact. I died instantly.
And the murderer? A man in a vegetative state?
Who would believe it?
Not only did he get away with it, but he also used his grief to win the sympathy of my father, a high-ranking general, and climbed the ranks with ease.
The memory of my father, a white-haired man mourning his only child, was a knife to my heart. Hatred boiled within me.
This time, I wouldnt give them a single chance.
My voice was firm. That wont be necessary. My husband, Captain Alex Hayes, died in the line of duty. The evidence is conclusive.
I need you to issue a death certificate so I can apply for his posthumous honors.
Celeste stood frozen, forcing a look of pity and disapproval onto her face. I understand your grief, but isnt it too rash to just give up on treatment?
Hes still young. A miracle could happen.
Youre his wife. Are you telling me you wont even give him that last bit of hope?
She intentionally emphasized the word wife, as if to accuse me of being cold-hearted.
A sarcastic smile touched my lips. It seems this hospital needs to brush up on its basic medical knowledge.
My words made her flinch.
Before she could recover, I continued, Brain death is the irreversible cessation of all brain function, including the brainstem. It is, by legal definition, death.
There are no medical miracles for this condition.
As a doctor, for you to give a family false hope when a patient is clinically deceased what is your motive?
I didn't spare another glance for Celestes pale face. My voice was unwavering. Please shut down all the equipment immediately.
My husband was a soldier who died with honor. He deserves to leave with dignity, not be kept as a specimen in a hospital bed.
Faced with my unyielding stance and irrefutable medical facts, the hospital administration finally agreed.
Celeste stood rooted to the spot, her eyes filled with panic as she watched the nurses begin to power down the machines.
2
I was quietly folding Alexs dress uniform when the hospital room door opened softly.
The General, followed by the Colonel, the Major, and several other high-ranking officers, entered with somber expressions.
The Generals voice was heavy with sorrow. Mrs. Hayes, our deepest condolences. You must take care of yourself.
Alex was a fine soldier. The military will handle his arrangements with the utmost respect and ensure you are taken care of.
I looked up, my face tearless, my expression resolute. Sir, as Alexs wife, I would like to request that he be awarded the Medal of Valor. And I ask the military to organize a funeral befitting a hero.
The room fell silent. The officers exchanged surprised glances. They hadnt expected me to be so composed, to be thinking of my husbands honors while suppressing my own pain.
Celeste immediately stepped out from the corner, her voice urgent. Maam, I know youre grieving, but determining military honors is a matter for the review board!
I knew what she was worried about. Once the hero status was officially declared, Alexs death would be a matter of national record. Her and Alexs entire plan would fall apart.
I ignored her completely, my gaze meeting the officers with clear-eyed determination as I methodically listed Alexs achievements that qualified him for the highest honor.
The officers expressions shifted from surprise to gravity, and then to deep respect.
Mrs. Hayes, you are right! We were not thinking clearly! the Colonel said, his voice firm. This medal must be applied for!
The General nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at me.
To be this composed, to fight for your husbands rightful honor at a time like this Alex was a lucky man to have you.
The other officers murmured in agreement, their gazes filled with reverence.
Celeste was left standing on the sidelines, utterly defeated, unable to utter another word of protest. She could only watch as the officers made the decision on the spot, setting in motion the application for the Medal of Valor and the plans for the funeral.
With that settled, I turned to the General with one final request.
Sir, according to regulations, the family can take possession of a fallen soldiers body. Now that he has been declared brain-dead, please allow me to take Alex home today.
The General agreed immediately and assigned soldiers to assist me.
I took one last look at the handsome face on the hospital bed, my own expression unreadable.
You want to fake your death?
Then Ill give you a state funeral. Ill nail you and your conspiracy to a heros tombstone.
The show was just beginning.
As I expected, Alexs parents, tipped off by Celeste, were waiting at home, ready to cause a scene.
My mother-in-law was wailing, slapping her thighs. My son! My poor, ill-fated son! Open your eyes and look!
This heartless woman, your wife, she doesnt want you to live! Shes trying to kill you!
My father-in-law pointed a trembling finger at me. What have we done to deserve a cold-blooded monster like you in our family?
The doctors said they could maintain him, and you insisted on pulling the plug!
This is murder! Youre the one who killed my son!
In my past life, such baseless accusations would have broken my heart. But now, I felt nothing but a calm emptiness.
I pulled out the official death certificate. Mom, Dad, this is from the hospital. Its in black and white, perfectly clear.
You call me cold-blooded, heartless!
Well, let me ask you this: is keeping Alex tethered to machines like an object, lying there as a shell of a man, is that what you call love?!
I pointed to the uniformed portrait of Alex on the wall. Your son was a soldier, a hero who stood tall! He shouldnt be lying in a hospital like a zombie, causing you pain and becoming a burden to the military.
What youre doing now is tainting his sacrifice. Its an insult to his honor as a soldier!
My words struck a chord, hitting them with the full force of morality and patriotism.
They were instantly silenced.
My mother-in-laws lips trembled, but all she could manage to choke out was, Fine! Even if youre right! We cant just cremate him!
Im taking my son home! Well preserve him in a refrigerated casket!
What if theres a miracle? Maybe medical science will advance and theyll be able to save him one day!
My father-in-law immediately chimed in. Thats right! Well preserve him! We cant just give up on our son!
I almost laughed out loud.
Preserve the body? It was just another stalling tactic concocted by Celeste and Alex.
In my second life, I had requested a transfer to escape Alexs plot. But hed still managed to hunt me down and run me off the road. As I lay dying, Alex had gloated, revealing every detail of his plan. His parents werent just bystanders; they were accessories. Their hysterics now were just a performance to buy Alex more time to wake up.
Once he did, a third, carefully planned accident would be waiting for me.
There was no more time to waste.
I took a deep breath, my voice calm. Dad, Mom, theres no need to argue.
Alex must be cremated immediately.
The room fell silent. His parents expressions soured, and they looked ready to start screaming again.
I slowly pulled a handwritten letter from my bag.
It was the suicide note Alex had penned during a moment of brief consciousness at the hospital, a calculated move to cement his image as a devoted husband.
I put on a pained expression and began to read aloud.
If my life becomes a burden, I would rather it end with dignity than become a weight upon those I love.
Please let me go quietly, with honor.
I folded the letter, my eyes sweeping over his parents instantly ashen faces.
This was Alexs final wish.
To cremate him immediately, to let him depart with dignity, that is true love.
Your bickering now are you trying to satisfy your own selfishness, or do you simply not care about what Alex wanted?
This counter-attack left them speechless. What could they say? Could they deny their own sons last will and testament?
I watched the panic in their eyes, a cold smile forming in my heart.
Alex, every word you wrote to build your facade has now become a nail in your own coffin.
Theres no escaping the fire this time.
3
Powerless to stop me, my in-laws agreed to the funeral. My mother-in-law, her eyes red, insisted on holding a traditional three-day wake, a clear attempt to stall for more time. I knew her game, but I agreed.
Late that night, the memorial hall was quiet, the candlelight flickering. My in-laws were feigning a vigil with me. My mother-in-law took my hand, dabbing at fake tears. My dear, youre still so young. After Alexs affairs are settled you should find a good man and remarry. Your father-in-law and I will support you.
I looked at her deceitful, teary eyes and felt a wave of nausea. In my first life, after I was pushed down the stairs, they were the first to cry to the investigators that I had been so overcome with grief, Id lost my footing and fallen by accident. And now she was encouraging me to remarry? This family was rotten to the core.
Im not feeling well. Im going to go rest for a bit. I pulled my hand away, unwilling to play along with this viper any longer. I turned and left the hall, but I didnt go far. I hid just outside the doorway.
Sure enough, as soon as I was gone, my mother-in-law crept over to the casket.
She whispered, Alex, my boy, you have to wake up soon! Once youre awake, well find a way to get rid of that woman. Her inheritance, her fathers connections it will all be ours!
Thats right! Wake up, son, we cant delay any longer! my father-in-law added anxiously.
In the darkness, my nails dug deep into my palms. The pain kept me sharp. Any last shred of hesitation I felt about sending my husband to the crematorium vanished.
You want me dead? You want my familys fortune?
Fine. Ill send your precious son on his way right now.
Exhausted from the past few days, my in-laws finally went to bed, leaving me alone in the hall. I walked to the casket and stared at Alexs peaceful face, my eyes like ice.
I quickly took out the vial of the death-simulating drug I had swapped from Celestes office. Under the pretense of adjusting his shroud, I administered a doubled dose, injecting it precisely into the side of his neck. It would delay his revival.
As dawn broke, the funeral began on schedule. Military leaders and Alexs comrades arrived. Dressed in black, my face was a mask of grief, but my composure earned everyones admiration.
Stay strong, Mrs. Hayes. Youre a remarkable woman, the General said, his own eyes red as he offered his condolences.
I nodded slightly, my gaze sweeping over the ashen faces of my in-laws and Celeste at the back of the crowd.
The procession may begin.
I personally draped the flag over the casket, watching as it was lifted steadily. The hearse started, and with a solemn military salute, it began its slow journey to the crematorium.
4
Sitting in the car, I couldnt help but glance at my watch. Time was running out. I had to see Alex pushed into that furnace with my own eyes before the drug wore off. Otherwise, the gruesome deaths of my past two lives would be my fate once more.
Just as the convoy was picking up speed, my in-laws darted out from the side of the road. They threw their arms out, blocking the hearse. Stop! Stop the car!
My mother-in-law threw herself onto the hood, pounding on the windshield, tears and snot streaming down her face. You cant cremate him! You cant burn my son! You venomous woman! You wont even let us see him off on his final journey? You have no conscience!
My father-in-law, also weeping, clung to the car door. Alex! My poor boy!
Funeral staff rushed to intervene, and the scene descended into chaos.
Suddenly, I remembered the moment of my death in the second life. I was mortally wounded, slumped over the steering wheel after Alex had rammed my car. My in-laws had gotten out of his car and looked at me with nothing but the triumphant glee of a plan gone right. My mother-in-law had even said to Alex, Hurry up. Dump this jinxs body in the mountains for the wolves. Clean and untraceable.
The memory snapped me back to the present.
I took a deep breath, pushed open the car door, and walked out, my face a mask of sorrow. Dad, Mom, we cant bring him back. Were doing this grand procession out of respect for Alex, to send him off with honor.
Behaving like this will only disturb his peace.
I took a step forward, as if to help my mother-in-law up. Mom, we cant delay any longer. For Alexs dignity, and for your own health, we have to keep moving.
Dignity?! My son is gone, what good is dignity now! my mother-in-law shrieked, batting my hand away. Her bloodshot eyes stared daggers at me. Realizing she couldnt stall any longer, she finally screamed, You cant burn him! My son isnt dead!
This is murder! Youre murdering your own husband!

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