She’s Not Dead

1.

Three years ago, on my wedding day, my husband's ex-girlfriend took her own life.

When he heard the news, my husband merely shook his head, a somber regret etched on his face.

I'm truly sorry, but Lilith and I are ancient history. Seraphina is the one I choose to spend my life with, I can't let her down.

I was so touched I wept. After we were married, I even offered to go with him to visit Liliths grave.

That was until just before this years All Souls Day, when I scrolled past a post online:

After three years as his little ghost, Im finally stepping into the light.

No choice, his wifes family is loaded. He told me to fake my death, marry her first, to throw off her parents suspicions. Once her old ladys cards are maxed out, hell come back for me.

Heh heh, the bitch even visits my grave, cries there too. So funny.

She attached a photo of herself holding a mans hand in a Porsche.

That Porsche? It was the one Id bought for my husband.

Oh, playing dead, are we?

Fine. If thats the game, Ill give you a send-off the whole town will remember.

I put down my phone and saw Alaric arranging paper money.

Honey, I began, were going to visit Liliths grave in a few days. What do you think we should bring?

Im thinking of buying her a few sets of the latest designer dresses. How does that sound?

Alarics hands stilled. Why bring clothes? She cant wear them.

No need to make it so complicated. Shes been gone for three years. A bouquet of white chrysanthemums would be enough to show our respect.

I tilted my head, looking at him. What about some food? Like those little green mochi cakes?

He shook his head. Really, its not necessary. Just flowers. She wasn't one for bothering people.

I gazed up at him.

He avoided my eyes, turning to grab his jacket.

Im heading out tonight. Theres a work dinner.

Another work dinner.

For three years, Alaric had been gentle, considerate, and hardworkingpractically a perfect husband.

Except for his frequent business trips and work dinners.

Last Valentines Day, he said he was at a company party and sent me a huge bouquet of roses.

On my birthday, he claimed he was in Havenport signing a contract. Hed sent me a photo of a rainy cityscape from his hotel window, saying he missed me.

For our wedding anniversary, wed already booked a luxurious overseas resort.

But a call came in at midnight. He said a client insisted on meeting him, and asked for my understanding.

Thinking back, it seems he hasnt been by my side for a single important day since we got married.

Was he truly busy with work, or was it something else?

A strange impulse led me to the posters profile, and from her bio, I found her video account.

The profile picture was a womans side profile, with the username 'Lilith'.

The account was filled with video clips and meticulously composed photos.

Today marks our five-year anniversary (also that bitchs birthday), he flew over to spend it with me, tee hee.

The accompanying image was a Cartier bracelet.

He came to celebrate Valentines Day with me! Too bad it rained, so we stayed in the hotel for two days. But being with him, even doing nothing, makes me so happy.

The image showed two glasses of red wine and a nighttime view outside a window.

It was the exact rainy cityscape Alaric had sent me that night.

The most recent post was from this years Valentines Day.

Waaah, he spent the holidays with that bitchs family, but its okay, I know hes just putting on a show. When I finally step into the light, hell make it up to me every single day.

The accompanying image was a transfer screenshot: $52,000.

Yet, I distinctly remembered Alaric telling me that day he wanted us to act like high school sweethearts for Valentines Day, and he transferred me five dollars and two cents.

Someone in the comments asked her: No offense, but arent you a homewrecker?

She immediately shot back: Weve known each other for seven years; that woman was obsessed with him, thats why he married her. In love, the unloved one is the homewrecker.

Me, obsessed with Alaric?

I am the sole heiress of the Sterling Group.

Since childhood, the sons of prominent families vying for an arranged marriage with me lined up from the school gates to the airport.

But Alaric and I met at an art exhibition. We clicked instantly and our feelings grew.

Lilith tried to cause trouble a few times, but he always gently talked her down.

I truly believed his heart was only for me.

My parents disapproved of him, finding his humble background unacceptable, and firmly opposed our marriage.

For his sake, I had my first major fallout with my parents.

To save his pride, I even suggested we skip a lavish wedding.

And what did he do? He put on a dramatic show at our wedding, his first love supposedly taking her own life.

Now, Im the one who was obsessed with him?

I immediately called my lawyer. Please investigate Alarics bank accounts and print out all transactions for the past three years.

Also, revoke that property transfer agreement.

Hanging up, I looked at the exquisite gift box on the table, containing the deed to a property.

It was a luxury penthouse with breathtaking river views, located in the citys most prime area, valued at fifty million dollars.

I had thought Alaric worked hard building his business and deserved a home of his own.

Now, it seems hed be more at home in a grave.

2.

The lawyers report landed on my desk first thing the next morning.

Alarics various bank accounts showed cumulative transfers exceeding $23 million to a single account over the past three years.

The largest transaction, a hefty $8 million, was made last December, marked as art investment.

I recalled Alaric mentioning around that time hed met a promising young artist and wanted to invest in a painting.

Knowing his passion for art, I encouraged him to pursue it, telling him to come to me if he needed more funds.

I traced the recipient of that sum to a cultural media company.

The companys legal representative was Edward Vance.

Liliths father.

My stomach churned, and I felt a wave of nausea.

He used my money to dig a grave for my marriage.

He used my resources to build a nest for his first love.

Just as I was about to investigate the company further, my food delivery arrived.

It wasn't the iced coffee Id ordered; it was a steamer of dumplings and a bowl of porridge, courtesy of Alaric.

His voice came through gently on the phone, Honey, are you awake? I canceled your order. Dont always drink cold stuff, something warm is better for your stomach.

If I hadnt seen that post,

I would truly have believed he was the man who loved me most in this world.

Before I could reply, he continued, Oh, and about that apartment, could you transfer the title to me first?

Because the client here

I cut him off. Actually, I was just about to tell you, Im planning to sell that apartment.

He paused. Sell it? Why?

I replied casually, I think that kind of place has bad energy, not suitable for the living.

Dont you think itd be more fitting as a shrine for the dead?

He clearly didn't grasp my meaning. He let out a dry chuckle, then gently tried to coax me.

Whats wrong? Are you upset because I havent been with you?

Ill be back tonight, be a good girl, okay?

Is it bad feng shui for the apartment? Its okay, I dont mind. You forgot, your husband has the strongest destiny.

I didn't respond, just hung up the phone.

I checked Liliths account again.

Shed posted another update: This weekend, my first solo exhibition is opening in the Southside Arts District!

The accompanying image showed a gallery, and her back to the camera.

Her right hand was raised high, forming a V-sign.

This photo was clearly taken by Alaric.

He was never good at composition; every photo he took always captured a large patch of ground.

Id joked with him about it many times, but he never seemed to remember to change.

I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadnt called in a long time.

It was Mrs. Vance on the other end, a renowned spiritual medium in our town, famous for her elaborate supernatural rituals.

Especially with All Souls Day approaching, her schedule was packed.

I didnt tell her the full story, only that a young woman had passed away prematurely, and I wanted to give her a grand send-off.

Mrs. Vance readily agreed. Since its Miss Sterlings friend, then this old woman will certainly pull out all the stops.

Will it be a proper ceremony? Incantations? Burning paper houses, cars, mountains of gold and silver?

I smiled. All of it.

She loved beauty when she was alive, so burn a hundred sets of clothes for each season. Also, replicas of famous paintings, and all four treasures of the study.

She also loved to travel, so prepare planes, cruise ships, passports, and visas too.

Hold it on Saturday, right outside her gallerys first exhibition in the Southside Arts District. Make sure the whole city knows shes gone.

Mrs. Vance, already eager for elaborate events, was thrilled at the prospect of a grand send-off, excitedly assuring me it was no problem.

After hanging up, I sent Alaric a usual message.

We were having dinner with both our families tomorrow, and I asked him to check in with the restaurant manager about the menu.

But he didn't know that the so-called restaurant manager was a hacker friend of mine.

3.

Hed infected Alarics phone with a virus, allowing me to see all his messages.

My little ghost is finally stepping into the light, arent you excited?

Seraphina is acting crazy today, saying she wants to sell the apartment. Dont worry, Ill talk to her. She loves me so much, she wont deny it to me.

Love you, Ill kiss you senseless when we meet.

Lilith replied: Oh, actually, I really enjoy her visiting my grave.

She was crying her eyes out, and I was in the car dying of laughter. Why didnt you record it? I want to watch it every day.

I looked at the conversation, took a deep breath, and set my phone aside.

Laughing, are you?

You wont be laughing for long.

The next day, I arrived on time for the dinner.

Alaric had suggested this gathering.

His fathers kidney disease had flared up again, and he urgently needed a transplant.

In Havenport, securing a specialists surgery slot at a top hospital without my fathers influence would mean his family waiting until the next lifetime.

When hed brought it up to me, I had, of course, readily agreed.

But things were different now.

At the dinner table, Alarics behavior was almost obsequious.

He sat beside me, subtly turning towards me, picking out a piece of boneless grouper and placing it on my small plate.

Try this, its very fresh. You havent been looking well lately; eat more fish.

I didnt touch my chopsticks, just watched him.

He then spooned a small bowl of chicken soup, gently blew on it, and placed it next to my hand.

This soup was slow-cooked for four hours. You have a delicate stomach, some soup will make you feel better.

I observed him through the rising steam.

The man before me was impeccably dressed in a suit, refined and scholarly.

Who would have thought that just a few hours earlier, hed sent Lilith a message saying:

Be good, just a few more days. Once Seraphina sorts out my dads surgery, Ill come be with you.

I just found it incredible.

This man, for another woman, could meticulously plan a fake death,

weaving lies for three years, siphoning resources from me to fuel his love affair.

Now, for his fathers illness, he could so naturally humble himself before me.

Every morsel of food he offered, every tender word he spoke, came with a price tag attached.

It was my familys resources, my parents connections, my assets that he hadnt fully plundered yet.

Alaric noticed my distraction and gripped my hand, a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

Seraphina? Whats wrong? Is the soup not to your liking?

I met his gaze and smiled. You eat too, dont just fuss over me.

He smiled back, his eyes visibly relaxing.

I stirred the chicken soup, but before I could bring it to my lips, my assistant called.

Ms. Sterling, I apologize for bothering you, but theres been a situation at the Riverbend Hotel.

The Riverbend Hotel was one my father had gifted to me.

My assistant continued, Right now, several girls have checked into your presidential suite, taking photos and videos in the private areas. When the hotel manager tried to intervene, they claimed they were friends of the owner

My assistant sent me photos, asking if I wanted to call the police.

I opened the photos and recognized the girls from Liliths account.

They were all her closest friends; one of them often appeared in the comment section.

It seemed she was in a hurry to usurp my place.

I glanced at Alaric, who was completely oblivious behind me, still diligently trying to appease my parents.

I told my assistant, Its fine, let them be.

Let Lilith gloat for a bit.

After all, she wouldnt be making trouble for much longer.