Chapter 4

I did not know why, but death did not deliver me into God's embrace. Instead, I became a transparent spirit, drifting behind Lola and watching everything that followed.

As my most capable assistant, Lola possessed an extraordinary ability to take charge. She immediately mobilized the people around me, locked down the hospital, and secured my body.

At the same time, she contacted the family elders and coordinated every detail of the funeral arrangements.

After the incident, I had called my younger brother back from abroad to take over the family's affairs so the organization would not fall apart without me.

Lola kept vigil through every night in the family's memorial hall where my urn had been placed, going over the funeral preparations until morning.

Although staff members assisted with every task, the toll on her was impossible to miss. She grew thinner and more exhausted by the day.

Three nights before the funeral, the vast memorial hall was empty except for Lola.

She sat alone before the altar that held my urn, her fingertips tracing the surface gently as she murmured, "Don Valenti, I don't know if I should tell Evelina so she can see you off one last time. Can you give me an answer?"

I hovered at her side, helpless.

If it were up to me, I would rather she did not. I was terrified that when Evelina learned I was dead, all I would see on her face was relief.

As long as I never witnessed it, I could still lie to myself and hold on to one last foolish piece of hope.

Lola's phone buzzed on the table. The name on the screen read ‘Evelina’.

Lola's gaze remained fixed on my urn. "Don Valenti, it seems God wants her at your funeral."

I wanted to stop her, but she had already picked up.

Evelina's voice came through the speaker, brimming with happiness. "Lola, my wedding with Enzo is in three days. I'll send you the venue details later. The bridesmaid dress should be delivered to your place soon. I want you there to witness the happiest day of my life."

Even as a ghost, those words hit like a blow to the chest, leaving a dull, suffocating ache in what was left of me.

Lola's voice turned cold, barely containing her fury. "Three days from now? Why that day?"

Evelina sounded puzzled. "What's wrong with it? That's the day Enzo and I first met, ten years ago. We both thought it would be meaningful to get married on that date."

"Nothing. I'll be there." Lola ended the call, her composure intact, but her tears hit the floor the moment the screen went dark.

"Don Valenti, did you hear that? Her big day with Enzo falls on the same day as your funeral. The people who poisoned you are still out there, free as ever, and she's happily planning a wedding.

"It's like she doesn't have a heart."

She was right. That was the day of my funeral.

However, I had already cut all ties with her. Which day she chose to hold her wedding was her own decision. Freedom was the last gift I had given her, and I was not going to use my death to take it away again.

Perhaps it was fitting, in its own way. At the very least, she would be celebrating every year on the anniversary of my burial.

The three days passed in a blink. Lola dressed in a somber, matte-black funeral gown and a wide-brimmed hat with a dark veil, then headed to Evelina's wedding.

The venue was our seaside villa.

Three years ago, Evelina had mentioned wanting to watch the sunrise over the ocean, so I had spent a fortune to buy this place for her. The grounds were covered in climbing roses, and the season was perfect for them.

The sea breeze sent waves rippling through the pink blossoms. It was admittedly a beautiful place for a wedding.

I floated at Lola's side as we entered the glittering, crowded reception hall together.

The moment the guests caught sight of Lola in full mourning attire, grief written across her face, the room went quiet. Shocked whispers spread through the crowd, and the festive noise died away.

Evelina rushed over, her expression furious. "Lola, what's the meaning of this? Showing up to my wedding in all black? I sent you a dress, and you're my maid of honor!

"And the ceremony is about to start, yet you're only arriving now? I don't appreciate this kind of joke."

Lola offered a hollow smile.

"A joke? After your wedding, I have to attend Don Valenti's funeral. I won't have time to change.

"And this is my wedding gift to you."

She held out a document.