Semua Bab You Fake Death, I Play Along: Bab 1 - Bab 9

The morgue hallway stretched endlessly, the fluorescent lights glaring white.Ethan Rhodes’ business partner, William Shaw, handed me a note. His “final words.”Terminate the pregnancy. Start over.I clutched the paper, my hands shaking.Half an hour ago, I’d gotten the call: Ethan’s flight had crashed. No survivors.I rushed to the hospital with my five-month belly, and they told me, “Please accept our condolences.”Now, even in death, he had someone delivering instructions: terminate the child.Tears splashed onto the note, smudging each word.My mother held me from the side, her eyes red too. “Zoe, don’t do this… there’s still someone in your belly...”“Mom, I want to be alone for a while.”The hallway fell silent.I leaned against the wall, slowly sinking to the floor, burying my face in my knees.Then I heard a childish voice, eerily calm for its age.“Mom, stop crying. Dad isn’t dead at all.”My whole body stiffened.“He’s just scum. Behind your back, he’s running off with his tr

In the days that followed, I started putting on the act of being heartbroken, making sure no one doubted it.No need to plan it, just replaying Ethan's chat with Claire was enough.On the third day, William came to the door.He sat on the living room sofa, dressed in a suit, his expression heavy.I was in a wrinkled nightgown, hair unwashed for three days, my eyes swollen to slits.“Zoe, about Ethan… we’re all very saddened. But you know his final wishes. The longer you delay about the child, the worse it is for your health.”“I know,” I said, head lowered, my voice trembling.“I’ve arranged everything at the hospital. The procedure will be led by experts; there’s minimal risk.”I looked up at him, my eyes red-rimmed. “Mr. Shaw, can I have some more time to think?”He studied me for a few seconds, sighed, and stood up to leave.The moment the door closed, Liam’s voice sounded:“Mom, he’s pushing you to terminate because Dad told him to. If the child is born, you get a share of the inhe

Ethan's brokerage account was with Grand Pacific Bank. When I called, the customer service rep said it had to be handled in person.I explained that my husband had died in a plane crash, and that the death certificate was at the police station. I could send it over if needed.There was silence for a few seconds. Then, “Please hold.”Fifteen minutes later, they called back: it could be processed, but I had to provide the death certificate, marriage certificate, and ID.The death certificate was ready. I sent it over.Four million, to be deposited within two business days.On the tenth day, I dealt with investments.Ethan had bought six million in financial products at Meridian Bank, with a three-month lock-in period.I went straight to the counter and laid the death certificate and marriage certificate on the desk.The account manager, a woman in her thirties, glanced at me and then at my belly, whispering:“Mrs. Rhodes, redeeming this investment early will forfeit interest...”“I don’t

One month later, at the courthouse.Ethan really had sued me.He was claiming I had transferred marital assets and demanding forty-three million back.When I received the summons, Liam said:“Mom, is he out of his mind? He’s a ‘dead man’, what standing does he even have to sue you?”“He sued as himself. He already applied to the court to reinstate his legal status.”“What about the plane crash?”“He says the airport messed up the passenger list.”I touched my belly. “Liam, do you think the judge will believe him?”“Belief isn’t important. What matters is what we have in our hands.”On the day of the hearing, I wore a loose black dress. My belly was seven months along.As I walked into the courtroom, Ethan sat at the plaintiff’s table, suit and tie, his lawyer beside him.Claire’s family sat in the back row of the gallery.Mrs. Bennett wore large sunglasses, Mr. Bennett scowled, and Claire kept her head down, scrolling on her phone.The judge banged the gavel. “Plaintiff, your statement

Three months later.I lay on the delivery bed, drenched in sweat.The doctor shouted beside me, “Push! Harder, harder!”I gritted my teeth, gripping the sheets, channeling every ounce of strength downward.I didn’t know how long it took before the doctor yelled,“It’s out, it’s out...”A cry.Loud and strong, shaking the entire delivery room.The nurse placed him on my chest. So small, wrinkled, mouth opening and closing in a wail.I looked at him, tears streaming down my face.“Baby.”He stopped crying and opened his eyes to look at me.Eyes so dark, so bright, like two polished grapes.Liam’s voice came, clear and precise, only I could hear it.“Mom.”Just one word. I was too emotional to speak.The nurse thought I was overwhelmed and smiled. “Mother and child are safe. Congratulations.”She didn’t know. This child had been talking to me five months ago.The room was quiet. I held Liam, phone beside the pillow. The screen lit up.News alert: Ethan Rhodes sentenced to twelve years for