My Son Died Because of a White Dress

I had just finished handling my son Zane Graham's funeral arrangements when the number I had dialed dozens of times without an answer finally called back.My husband, Louis Graham, said irritably, "Where's Zane? That idiot can't even handle something as simple as buying a darn dress."A wave of absurd despair surged inside me. I muttered, "He's dead."There was a rare pause on the other end before the mocking tone came crashing down. "Nora Harrison, what's gotten into you? You're really saying all sorts of nonsense now, huh?"Why don't you go ahead and say you're dead too? Enough with the nonsense. Did he get the dress or not? Make him deliver it himself as an apology."Before I could respond, the line went dead.I stared blankly at the small box beside me. I picked up the bloodstained dress from the floor and hailed a cab to Louis' office.His employees whispered when they saw me. I overheard someone mention how pathetic it must be for a wife to end up like me.I sneered and p

This whole relationship had been a mistake from the start. Louis was a student of my dad, Tyler Harrison.Because Louis was poor, Dad always used white lies to bring him over for dinner at our house.Gradually, I got to know him better.Dad recognized Louis's potential and did everything he could, using both his connections and his wealth, to support him.Louis didn't disappoint. Within three years, he managed to make a complete turnaround, rising to success.But just as things were looking up, Dad and Mom got into a car accident.Mom didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. I cried so hard I almost fainted.In his final moments, Dad, with tears in his eyes, placed my hand in Louis', He no longer had the strength to speak.Louis' tears welled up, and he whispered, "I know."Then, Dad closed his eyes for the last time. During that period, my entire world lost its color.The pain was unbearable. I felt like a lonely boat adrift on the open sea with no direction or support.I c

I stumbled toward the kitchen in a daze and grabbed a knife.Meanwhile, Louis and Wendy were still clinging to each other, speaking in whispers.The cold gleam of the blade caught Louis' eye first. He raised his arm to defend himself, but the knife sliced through his skin. Blood poured out in a torrent.Wendy's eyes widened in terror. Her body shook uncontrollably. She fumbled for her phone to call the police, but Louis snatched it from her.He gripped the phone in one hand and my wrist in the other as he looked at me in disbelief. "Nora Harrison! Have you lost your mind? Are you trying to get yourself in jail?"I screamed in agony, "I want you both to die!"Panic flashed across his face. He grabbed the knife from me, trying to close the distance and hold me.However, I picked up a nearby glass and threw it at him.He dodged it while shouting, "You want to kill me over a stupid bunny?"I broke down at his words. "You killed your own son! Don't you think you deserve to die?"L

The next day, Louis showed up at the parent-teacher meeting but not alone. Wendy and her timid daughter, Tiana, were with him.I couldn't help but sneer. Yesterday, he claimed he was busy, but apparently, he was attending the meeting for Tiana.What a devoted father he was. He had such a perfect, happy family.Louis noticed my scornful expression and flushed slightly. Still, he walked over and demanded, "Where's Zane? It's been days, and he's still angry with me! Wendy and Tiana have already forgiven him."I stared coldly at him. "Zane didn't do anything wrong. Don't you dare accuse him!"Wendy's eyes reddened as she spoke softly, "Are you saying Tiana is lying?"I snorted. "Show me the evidence."Wendy bit her lip and fell silent. To Louis, though, her silence looked like victimhood.He stepped protectively in front of her. "Why are you bullying her? Zane must've taken after you. He's such a little kid, yet he did mean things like spilling drinks on Tiana's dress."I let out

My voice grew even more ethereal as I said, "Wendy's a mother. Why didn't she stop you when you had Zane go out and buy that dress?"Why couldn't it wait until the next day? It was so dark and cold that night. Zane must have been terrified when he died. Even during his last moments, he'd clutched that white dress so tightly, hoping you would praise him.""Enough!" Louis shouted, his voice trembling. Consumed by guilt, he slammed his fist against his own head.I let his head fall to my shoulder, watching him torment himself with cold satisfaction.Great. The more he regretted it, the more it pleased me. This was exactly what I needed in order to proceed with my plan.Half a month later, Wendy finally realized something was wrong. Louis had become strangely resolute.Once he'd connected Wendy to Zane's death, he could no longer look at her without being dragged into the abyss of his own remorse.He was so selfish. His every feeling and action revolved only around him. Even the wom