003: Cremate him

Elena's POV

"Mrs. Martinez, please…" Dr Parker was trying once again to convince me to change my mind.

"Elena." The elevator doors opened and Isabella, Marcus' only sister came out of it, her face flushed and her eyes wild. Behind her was Sophia, looking equally panicked.

"Oh, Isabella," I said, turning to face my sister-in-law with a sad smile. "Marcus… how could he do this to us? How could he leave us so soon?” I broke down into fresh fake tears. He was such a wonderful man."

"Elena, honey," Isabella said, rushing to my side. "He was the only family I had… I'm hurt beyond words.” She said the words, but she had no tears in her eyes. “Dr. Parker called me. He said you want to cremate Marcus? Don't you think that's a little... hasty?"

"It's what he would have wanted," I said simply. "He told me many times that he didn't want to be buried."

"But we haven't even had a chance to say goodbye," Sophia said, "He's my brother-in-law. I loved him too."

Oh, Sophia. If only you knew how much I was going to enjoy destroying you.

"You can say goodbye to his ashes," I said, just like I told Dr. Parker. "I've made up my mind."

“Oh, Elena, you are not in your right senses!” exclaimed Isabella with desperation in her voice. “You are in shock. You must take time to digest this first."

"I do not need time. I want my husband to rest in peace. And the only way I can make sure about it is by having him cremated now." I replied to her.

Isabella and Sophia gave each other a look of sheer panic and I could see it. Dr. Parker stood beside me still in utter confusion.

“Please, Elena,” Sophia begged. “Think about it. “After he is cremated, there is no going back. Are you willing to do that?"

I gazed at her. This woman who had been having an affair with my husband, who had become pregnant with his child, who had been a part of helping him fake his death to go and leave me to suffer for their crimes.

Slowly I said, "Yes. I am prepared for that. I am already prepared to have Marcus gone forever."

The expression of sheer horror that swept over each of the three faces was worth all the pain I suffered in my former life.

And as I watched them frantically trying to think how they could save their dearly beloved plan, I smiled to myself.

Game on.

After what seemed like an eternity of silence, Isabella replied, "Elena, honey, you have gone through so much today. Why don't we go to the cafeteria? Get some fresh air and clear our heads?"

I nearly laughed. This suggestion is the one I fell for in my previous life. I was so thankful that Marcus's sister was showing me so much care, was so much concerned about my health.

“Sounds nice,” I replied, making sure to smile weakly. “I need a cup of coffee.”

“Perfect,” said Isabella, relief flooding her voice. "Dr. Parker, could you take care of the... paper work, until we come back? Just to get things started?"

Dr. Parker nodded eagerly. "Of course. I'll take care of everything."

I went along. I allowed Isabella to lead me out of the room, allowed Sophia to walk beside me with that fake worried look on her face.

There was hardly anyone in the cafeteria, it was early lunch time anyway. Isabella led me to a table at the corner, where nobody was.

"Oh, sit down here, sweetie," she said, patting my hand. “I will go and get us some coffee. Sophia, stay with Elena."

I watched Isabella go to the coffee machine. She was still glancing back at me, as though she feared I might run away and go and demand that Marcus should be cremated at once.

Sophia leaned over and put her hand on my hand and said, "Elena. I know it is difficult. I understand you are in pain. But Isabella is right, you should consider this decision."

"I am considering it," I said, drawing my hand away. “I am thinking about what Marcus would want.”

“But what do you want?” Sophia pressed. “Don't you want to see him once more? To say goodbye properly?"

At the sight of her now, knowing what she did, I wondered how good she was at pretending. That worry in her eyes was so real. The way she leaned toward me as though she really cared about how much it hurt. If not that I remembered she had already been mocking my foolishness a few hours earlier in my former life, I might have taken her seriously.

“I have said goodbye,” I said. “Once Dr. Parker told me he was dead, I said all that I had to say.”

Isabella brought back two hot coffee cups, placing one before me and holding the other cup to herself. “There you go, honey. Drink this. It will make you feel good and relaxed."

I stared at the cup, memories from my previous life flooding back. I was so grateful for Isabella's kindness, so touched that she was taking care of me. I had taken that coffee without a second thought, and then...

Then I woke up hours later, groggy and confused, to be told that Marcus had already been cremated. That while I was unconscious, they took care of everything. That I had missed my chance to see him one last time.

"Thank you," I said, picking up the cup but not drinking from it. "You're so thoughtful."

Isabella smiled, but I could see the anxiety behind it. "Anything for family."

Family. Right. The same family that committed crimes and let me take the fall for them.

"I should call the funeral home," I said suddenly. "Let them know we're coming."

"No!" Isabella said quickly, then caught herself. "I mean, why don't you drink your coffee first? You look pale. You need to keep your strength up."

I lifted the cup to my lips, pretending to take a sip. "You're right. I do feel a little weak."

"That's shock," Sophia said. "It's completely normal after losing someone you love."

Someone you love. The irony was almost funny. They were sitting here, talking about love and loss.

"Sophia, would you mind getting me a muffin?" I said, setting my cup down without drinking.

“Sure thing Elena. Anything for you.”

Immediately Sophia was gone, I turned to Isabella. "Actually, I would like to have some water too. Can you get it for me?"

"Of course," Isabella said, immediately standing up.

Immediately she left, I smoothly swapped our coffee cups. It was easier than I expected. They both got back at the same time and neither noticed I switched the cups.

"Better?" she asked, after I pretended to take a sip out of the water. Who knows if she drugged it too?

"Much better," I said, now holding her untampered cup of coffee. "Thank you."

Isabella picked up what had been my coffee and took a long sip. "This is good. Hospital coffee isn't usually this strong."

"It's perfect," I agreed, finally drinking from my own cup.