Betraying Me in Life, Worshiping Me in Death

After a wave of searing pain, my soul drifted out of my body. The doctor covered me with a white sheet and calmly announced the time of death."Scott Moore, male, suicide by jumping."Not far away, my wife, Monique Holmes, was accepting Connor Grant's proposal, completely oblivious to the chaos unfolding nearby."Yes, I will!"As Monique nodded shyly in agreement, the onlookers erupted with enthusiasm, praising them as a perfect match made in heaven.But I was Monique's husband.Bitterness welled up inside me. We weren't even divorced yet. Wasn't this cheating?Someone noticed Monique wearing two rings and joked that Connor was so thoughtful he bought rings in pairs. Both their faces instantly stiffened.Connor's gaze darkened, his tone dripping with jealousy and accusation as he said, "You're still thinking about him? Take it off. Now."Monique frantically yanked off the ring and threw her arms around Connor."You're doubting me again? Scott and I never had any real feelings

The day I died, Monique had finally given in to my constant pestering and promised she'd come home for dinner. I cooked the meal and even put on the suit she had picked out for me, but she never came home.As the time I'd agreed on with the system drew closer, I drained my phone battery and could only watch helplessly as the system chose how I would die. I didn't know if it was the system's twisted sense of humor, but it threw my body off the building closest to where Connor was proposing.Monique had no idea she was supposed to die in that car accident. For her and the child in her womb, I'd made a deal with the system. Two lives, at the cost of my own immortality.The irony was that Monique lost her memory and didn't even blink before aborting our four-month-old baby. When she threw that bloody mess at me, my heart shattered.The doctor diagnosed me with severe depression, and Monique treated it like a joke to share with Connor. He then went out of his way to sharpen a knife and

Monique stumbled down the steps, reaching out to touch the urn. Watching her look so dazed, I applauded Ms. Kinsley. The strange thing was, I felt no connection to that box whatsoever.Ms. Kinsley dodged, and Monique fell to the ground."I don't believe you! That's not Scott. You're lying!"Monique's eyes were red as she scrambled up and lunged at Ms. Kinsley. They both crashed heavily to the ground.Caught off guard, the urn hit the pavement, and some of its contents spilled out. When I looked closer, I realized it wasn't ashes. It was just sand.Monique laughed breathlessly and let go of Ms. Kinsley. "What do you have to say now? Where is Scott, really?"Ms. Kinsley picked up the empty urn, her face expressionless. "Scott is dead. You tortured him when he was alive. I won't let you off easy now that he's gone."Today is the day Scott's body is being cremated. If you have any conscience left, come with me and pay your respects to him."I felt grateful to Ms. Kinsley, and I was

The doctor said Monique had suffered a shock and might experience mental instability. Even after she finished her IV, Connor hadn't said a word. His coldness made Monique so nervous she tugged at his sleeve.Ms. Kinsley arrived dressed entirely in black, drawing frequent glances from the nurses. When Monique saw her, all color drained from her face. She quickly pulled the blanket over her head.A flash of mockery crossed Ms. Kinsley's face, her voice cold when she asked, "Monique, what's with the theatrics?"I felt a warmth in my chest. Ms. Kinsley was standing up for me.Monique peeked out and asked quietly, "Ms. Kinsley, I saw Scott today. Is he still alive?"Hearing my name, Connor dropped the apple he'd been peeling and yanked the blanket off the bed. Monique's body went rigid with fear, but he still forced her upright."Monique, how long are you going to keep thinking about him? Remember—you're my fiancee."We're getting married in three days. Can you please snap out of it?

That day, reporters across the city covered the same scene."The bride runs three red lights in pursuit of a small van."Everyone was imagining all kinds of dramatic storylines. But I didn't care anymore. I was so exhausted I just wanted to lie down.After a long silence, the electronic voice returned. I knew my life had truly reached its end. This moment of peace was just a final gift from the system.Ms. Kinsley took me to a cliff by the ocean, sat down calmly, and waited quietly for Monique's arrival.Monique's hair was disheveled. Her floor-length dress had been torn into strips. Her makeup was gone, revealing her naturally delicate features.If I ignored her clothes, she actually looked like she had when we first met.Monique steadied herself and approached cautiously. "Ms. Kinsley, Scott is my husband. I have the right to take him home with me.""Scott was a sensible boy. That divorce agreement is proof of your freedom."Monique forced a smile. "I don't accept it. Even t