Chapter 2

"What are you waiting for? It's time for some ravioli!" Katy said.

Lily and I watched Katy in a daze as she plated the ravioli, steam rising from them and filling the living room.

"Who… Who are you?" Lily mustered up the courage to ask.

"I'm Justin's wife. Honey, tell her." Katy looked at me innocently.

I nodded slowly. "Yes… She's my wife."

I had no idea where this woman had come from. All I could do was give Lily a look, silently signaling her to stay calm.

"Go on. Try this. I made your favorite cheese ravioli."

Katy smiled and pushed a plate of ravioli toward me. As I took it from her, I worked up the nerve to touch her hand. It was warm.

So she wasn't a ghost?

My thoughts were all over the place. I picked up a ravioli but didn't dare take a bite.

"What's up, honey? Is it because I didn't make them right? Or are you not happy to see me?" Katy looked at me, tears in her eyes.

I couldn't help but stammer. "I… I'm happy to see you, but are you supposed… to be dead?"

"What nonsense!" Katy suddenly sounded cheerful, as if she had just heard the most ridiculous joke. "I was sick, so I went to the hospital for treatment. Now I've fully recovered. It's New Year's too, so of course I came home to celebrate with you."

"But you got ALS." Lily couldn't help but peek out from behind me. "But that's a terminal illness. How could you possibly be cured?"

Katy paled slightly before breaking into a smile. "I was very lucky… My husband took such good care of me over the years. And now I'm completely cured."

As if to prove it, she spun around on the spot.

Lily discreetly tugged on my sleeve and lowered her voice, saying, "What do we do? Maybe she's crazy. We should call the cops."

I nodded. The moment I reached for my phone on the table, the doorbell rang again.

Lily and I froze. Neither of us dared to move. Instead, Katy walked over as if nothing was wrong and opened the door.

"Katy! Justin! I'm here to crash your New Year's Eve dinner!"

The visitor was Matthew Dugan, Katy's brother. I hadn't heard from him in three years.

I lunged at him and grabbed him. "Matthew! What brings you here? Your sister… She's alive!"

"Justin, what are you talking about?" Matthew looked amused as he handed the gifts to Katy. He walked into the living room and saw Lily, frozen in place.

"Oh? You have a guest?" he asked.

"Yes. She was already here when I got back." Katy answered with a smile, then her gaze fell on me. "Honey, you haven't told me who she is."

Lily's face flushed instantly. "I'm his wife, Lily Fisk! We just got married last year!"

She whipped around to face me, barely concealing the anger in her voice. "Justin, say something!"

I flinched at her shout and quickly grabbed her hand. Then I turned to Matthew and raised my voice. "That's right. She's my wife.

"Matthew, you were holding your sister's urn at her funeral. You cried so much that you almost passed out. It's only been a few years. Have you forgotten already?"

"Justin, what are you talking about?" Matthew frowned, clearly baffled. "What funeral? What urn… Did you get your friend to come here and mess with us? It's not funny!"

Hearing that, Lily shoved my hand away, looking at me with growing suspicion.

A chill ran down my spine. I grabbed the car keys. "Fine! You don't believe me. Is that it? Let's go to the cemetery. See for yourself whether she's really dead!"

When we reached the cemetery, Katy's gravestone was exactly as I remembered it. I pointed triumphantly at the inscription and read it out.

"Katy Dugan. Beloved wife of Justin Lowell. Age 28."