All Chapters of Funeral for My Living Wife: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"I'm filing Nancy's death certificate.""You're done looking?" my friend asked, voice low through the phone.I stared at Nancy, curled up in Finley's arms. My throat tightened. "She can't be found."What's the point of finding someone who wants to disappear?I hung up and headed back to the booth.Hugh—my ride-or-die since forever—clocked the look on my face and handed me a drink."Nancy's been gone three months. There's no way she made it. You gotta let her go."I stared at the glass, then knocked it back. The burn stung my eyes.I cleared my throat. "You think someone would ever fake their disappearance just to mess with their husband?"He shot me a glare. "That's messed up. Anyone who'd pull that crap? Dead to me."I wiped my eyes, grabbed my coat."You're right. Time to let her go." Then I walked out and headed home.The house was dead quiet. It always was—but for the last three months, that silence hit different. Every night, I'd flip on all the lights, make Nancy's fa

When Nancy blew up at me, she'd leave me stewing alone all night. Forgiveness only came after I apologized.I shut my eyes, throat tight, and saved both videos.Right as I was about to kill the screen, Finley called.I answered, and music slammed through the speaker.Finley yelled over it, "Jensen, a funeral for Nancy? Are you insane? Cancel it, or when she gets back, you're—"I hung up without saying a thing, grabbed a blanket, and crashed on the couch.Best sleep I'd had in three months.The next morning, I filed Nancy's death certificate.Then I headed to Finley's. His door was locked up tight, but after I leaned on the bell long enough, footsteps came.He opened up in a bathrobe, neck covered in fresh marks disappearing under the fabric."What are you doing here?" he asked, propping himself on the frame.I glanced from his neck to his smug face. "Nancy's funeral. Hope you'll show. You are her GOOD FRIEND, after all."Finley scoffed. "Jensen Johnston, you're her husband!

Nancy rushed over and clung to me, shaking. "Honey, you don't know how much I missed you," she sobbed. "That day on the slopes—I fell, broke a bunch of bones. Some stranger took me to a hospital, thank God."It took three months just to get back here. I didn't die—look at me, I'm fine!"She yanked my hands to her, dragging them over her like she needed to prove she hadn't flatlined.I just stared, ice cold.Once the silence got heavy enough to crush her fake tears, I laughed. "Done with the act? That kind stranger—was his name Finley?"Nancy froze, piece by piece.She forced a shaky smile. "What are you talking about? I don't get it."Watching her fake confusion set me off. Every ounce of grief and rage I'd stuffed down for months came rushing up. I shoved her hand off me."You stayed hidden for three months—why not keep going? Didn't you say you'd come back once I'd lost it searching for you? Hate to break it to you, but I'm still sane. So what changed?"She blinked, stunned.

Finley wouldn't leave. Clung to Nancy.Didn't matter. I got in Vienna's car and headed straight to Vital Records.The clerk looked up, all smiles. "What brings you in today?""Found Nancy Valente. Need her death certificate reversed.""Knew you'd find her. Congrats!"I just nodded.***As we stepped out, Nancy called after me."Jensen, I really do love you. That night at Finley's, I was drunk. I thought he was you..."I didn't even flinch. "Save it."***After finalizing the divorce at the courthouse, I stepped out alone, headed for a cab.Vienna pulled up. "Need a ride?"I glanced over. "I'm divorced now."She raised a brow. "And?""We barely knew each other. Let's keep it that way."She slid her shades down, eyes sharp and unreadable.She had that dangerous kind of beauty—like she already knew how the game ended and you were just catching up."Jensen, I helped you get divorced. Try not to be a jerk about it."I watched her, still not sure.She shrugged. "Chill. It

But before I could, Nancy threw herself into my arms."Jensen, I know I messed up! There's nothing going on with Finley! I swear I'll stay away from him—just give me one more chance!"She locked onto my waist, gripping tight no matter how hard I tried to peel her off.Then a voice cut through the mess."Nancy, I told you—keep harassing Jensen, and my family's done backing you."Vienna.Nancy let go instantly."Aunt Vienna, this is between me and my husband."I laughed. Couldn't help it. Total disbelief. "Between us? Nancy, whose bright idea was it to fake your own disappearance? Don't tell me that was all you—do you even have the brains for that?"All you do is get played by Finley."He takes you out—he's your 'CLOSE FRIEND', your 'GUY BESTIE.' You drink with him—still 'bestie.' You two lie to me—'bestie.' Even sleep with him, and somehow, still your 'bestie.'"Tell me, is that what all your besties do?"A flicker of guilt crossed Nancy's face.She knew she was in the wron