004: Playing with fire

Elena's POV

We were silent for some moments. I saw Isabella taking bigger and bigger sips of her coffee. Sophia was playing with a muffin she had bought, obviously too nervous to eat it. And I was planning my next step.

“Well...you know what?” I began, “I believe I’m ready to go back. I would like to start the cremation process."

“You are sure?" Sophia asked. “Perhaps we had better wait a little. Allow you more time to properly think about it."

I guessed she knew the coffee was drugged and the more time she was asking for was for the effects to kick in.

“No,” I answered. I have done enough thinking. I know what I want."

Isabella began to answer, but paused in mid-sentence. Her hand went to her forehead and she blinked very fast. "I... I feel weird."

“What do you mean, weird how?" I asked, pretending to be concerned.

“Dizzy,” murmured Isabella, rocking in her chair. “Pretty dizzy."

“You should drink some water,” Sophia said, but I could see the fear beginning to show in her eyes.

"I don't... I cannot..." Isabella's words became slurred. Her eyes were heavy, and it was difficult for her to hold her head upright.

"Isabella?" Sophia stretched across the table to shake her. “What is the matter?”

But Isabella was already sagging, and her head fell lightly on the table. She was knocked out.

“Oh my God,” whispered Sophia, and looked around in confusion. “We have to get help!”

“No,” I said, getting to my feet. “She is simply tired. It is all too much; the emotional cost of Marcus' death, it is too much for her. She needs to have a quiet room where she can rest."

I stopped a passing nurse. “I am sorry, my sister-in-law has fainted. Can you take us somewhere where she can lie down?"

The nurse was very quick to respond and within a few minutes, Isabella was moved to a room down the hall. The nurse checked her pulse and breathing.

"She seems fine," the nurse said. "Probably just stress and exhaustion. Let her sleep it off. She should be okay in a few hours or so."

"Thank you," I said gratefully. "We'll stay with her."

As soon as the nurse left, I turned to Sophia. "I need to go handle the cremation arrangements. Can you stay with Isabella?"

"But Elena," Sophia protested, "shouldn't we wait until she wakes up? I thought we agreed not to go ahead with that..."

"She'll understand," I said. "She knows how important this is to me. Besides, someone needs to watch over her."

I could see the war playing out on Sophia's face. She wanted to come with me, wanted to stop me from cremating Marcus, but she couldn't leave Isabella alone.

"I'll be back soon," I promised, already heading for the door. "Just let her rest."

I made my way back to Dr. Parker's office. He looked up when I entered and I could see hope and fear battling in his eyes.

"Mrs. Martinez! How are you feeling?"

"Much better," I said. "I'm ready to proceed with the cremation."

Dr. Parker's face fell. "But... but Isabella? I thought she was going to talk to you..."

"She did," I said. "She understands my decision. She's resting now, all this stress has been hard on her."

"And the discharge paperwork?" I asked. "Is it ready?"

"Yes," Dr. Parker said reluctantly. "Everything's been signed. The death certificate is complete."

"Perfect," I said. "Then let's go collect my husband's body."

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Dr. Parker asked one last time as we stood outside the room.

"I'm certain," I said, meeting his eyes. "I want my husband to rest in peace. Forever."

I then turned to the orderlies waiting for instructions. "Take him to the ambulance. We are going to the crematorium.”

The doctor hesitated to hand me the death certificate, but he couldn't do much to stop me at this point.

"Thank you, Dr. Parker," I whispered, my voice shaking just enough to sound genuine. "I... I need to take him now. I've already made calls and arranged for the cremation."

Dr. Parker's eyebrows shot up. "Already? Elena…"

"Yes." I shook my head firmly. "Let's not waste anymore time."

He shifted uncomfortably, glancing toward the door.

"Well, if you're sure..." he started, but I was already walking toward the door where the ambulance waited.

"I'm sure," I said over my shoulder. "The crematorium is expecting us."

The orderlies then carefully loaded Marcus' body into the ambulance. He was still unconscious from whatever drug Dr. Parker had given him, looking pale and lifeless. Perfect.

As we drove to the crematorium, my phone kept on ringing. I glanced at it and each time it was either Isabella or Sophia. I guess Isabella was already awake and they were trying to stop me.

"Mrs. Martinez?" A woman in a dark suit approached us as we pulled up. "I'm Sarah Chen, the director. I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," I replied, accepting her condolences with a sad smile. "I appreciate you accommodating my request on such short notice."

"Of course. Grief doesn't follow a schedule." She gestured toward the building. "Shall we proceed?"

We wheeled Marcus' body into the preparation room and I looked around. This was where his lies would finally catch up with him.

"Are you ready, Mrs. Martinez?" Sarah asked gently.

I took a deep breath, placing my hand on the stretcher. "Yes. Marcus would want this."

But I didn't press the button to start the process.

"Actually," I said, turning to Sarah, "could you give me a few minutes alone with him? I need to say goodbye properly."

Sarah nodded understandingly. "Of course. Take all the time you need. Press the green button when you're ready. I'll be in my office."

I smiled to myself as the crematorium doors burst open, and Isabella's voice echoed through the building. "Where is she? Where's Elena?"

"Ma'am, please, you need to…" I heard what seemed like security trying to intervene.

"I need to see that murderer right now!" Isabella's voice was high-pitched, panicked. "She's about to kill my brother!"

I composed my face into an expression of confusion and grief just as Isabella and Sophia burst into the preparation room. Isabella's face was flushed, her hair disheveled like she was running. Sophia looked equally in panic, her usual composed behavior completely shattered.

"Elena!" Isabella gasped, rushing toward me. "I hope we're not too late. Where is he?! What have you done to my brother?!"

I blinked at them innocently. "Too late for what? What are you talking about?"

"You can't do this," Sophia said, her voice shaking as she looked around the room, her eyes scanning for where Marcus’ body was. "You can't just... burn him like this."

"Burn him?" I repeated, letting confusion color my voice. "I'm cremating him. It's what he wanted. It's what we agreed."

"No, it's not!" Isabella snapped, then immediately tried to soften her tone. "I mean... Elena, you're in shock. You're not thinking clearly. Marcus would never say that."

“And what makes you so sure? I am his wife and I will make the final decisions.” I said firmly.

"But still…" Sophia started.

"No buts," I interrupted, moving toward the control panel. "I've made my decision. This is what Marcus would have wanted, and I'm going to honor that."

"Elena, wait!" Isabella shouted, lunging forward. "You can't! You can't burn him alive!" The words came out of Isabella's mouth before she could stop them.

But I had already pressed the green button before she could push me away from the control panel. The fire started in the chamber and Isabella and Sophia's eyes widened in horror and they screamed in unison, rushing toward the chamber.

“Marcus! Noooo! Somebody please turn it off! She's burning him alive!” She screamed.

Isabella was sobbing now, clawing at the chamber door. "Please, Elena, you have to stop this! Please!"

"Stop what?" I asked. "The cremation of my dead husband?"

"He's not dead!" Isabella screamed. "He's alive! You're burning him alive!”

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "Did you just say I can't burn him alive? How can I burn someone alive when they're already dead? Are you saying Dr Parker lied to me and forged this death certificate? Because that is a serious medical crime!"

Sophia's face went white. "I... She meant... you can't burn him without proper preparations. The body needs to be…"

"No," I cut her off. "You need to tell me the truth right now!" I pretended to be agitated.

Sophia stepped forward, clearly trying to salvage the situation. "Elena, Isabella's just upset. She's not thinking clearly. We're all emotional right now."

I looked between them, watching Isabella still claw at the chamber doors with tears streaming down her face.

"You can't," Isabella said quickly. "That's exactly what I meant. You can't burn someone alive because Marcus is already dead."

"Then why did you say it?" I pressed. "Why would you say he's alive if you knew he was dead?"

"It was a slip," Sophia said, her voice getting higher. "She's just grieving. It's just so hard to believe he left us so suddenly."

I nodded slowly. Their reaction had just confirmed what I already knew. Marcus was still alive, and they were desperate to keep him that way.

"You're right," I said finally. "I'm sorry. I'm not thinking clearly. Maybe I should wait."

I walked over to the second compartment that was not on fire and opened it, pulling out Marcus' body. I signaled the security who had been watching the commotion from the door to please put him on the stretcher so we could leave.

"Elena," Sophia whispered, her voice broken. "I can explain..."

"Oh, no need. Sophia already did." I said keeping my face neutral. "You were just in shock. I totally understand."

I pushed the stretcher and began walking out of the door but then I paused. "I change my mind. We will have a funeral instead."