und. One of Mark's friends took a cautious step forward, and his

what to do next. Put the gun d

ly. The room was thick with silence, broken only by the rag

he was clearly distressed. "We need to clean this up. We can't le

so sure of themselves, now faced the overwhelming task of

esperation. The first friend, still visibly shaken, took charge.

, they lifted Alex's lifeless body from the chair and placed it carefully onto the tarp. Blood

und Alex's body, trying to contain the mess, and each took a corner. They struggled under the wei

ved quickly but cautiously, praying they wouldn't run into anyone. When they reached

ar, their breath visible in the cold night air. Mark popped the trunk, and with

moment, catching their breath. The reality o

their steps. Using rags and cleaning supplies they found in a closet, they began scrubbing the bloodstains from th

ed away the blood, wiped down surfaces, and even replaced the lightbulb that ha

and disposed of them in a nearby dumpster, hoping to cover t

in tense silence, heading towards the outskirts of town. After driving for

d the trunk and, with one last effort, carried Alex's body into the woods. They dug a shallow grave, thei

ght of their actions pressed heavily on them. Without another word, they returned to

to find Alex missing. Worried, she went downstairs to th

he muttered, heading to the dining room

ing newspaper, while her mother, Mrs. Gregory, an

know where Alex

zzled. "No, dear, I haven't seen hi

d, do you know where Alex is?" s

looking confused. "I'm not sure, Se

ing for some reassurance. "Mark, do you know w

I... I'm not sure, Selena," h

a, dear, don't worry about Alex right

After breakfast, she still couldn't stop thinking about Alex. She ne

lex. She sighed softly as she sat on the cou

he headline read: "Dead Body Found at Outskirts of City." Selena's eyes widened in d

med in on the scene. Dread filled her as she recogn

er her, her mind struggling to process the grim reality on the screen. Even t

o the living room in a panic. Mrs. Gregory's face turned pale as she saw the television screen, her hands fly

usly, his own shock etched on his face. "Selen

streaming down her face. "It's Alex," she manage

tbreaking cries could be heard. The reality of Alex's death sank in, l

turned off the televisio

yourself," Mrs. Gregory said sternly t

Even though she had no feelings

the hell are you crying because he'

I didn't love him, Mom, but he didn't deserve this. No one

Selena's shoulder. "We'll find out what happ

is face neutral, but inside, guilt gnawed at him. He kn

h. "We need to keep calm," she said firmly. "Selena, go t

ling. She stood up, casting one last, sorrowful

Mark, her eyes narrowing. "Mark, do you know anything abou

I don't know anything," he lied, trying to keep his voice steady.

ed slowly. "Alright. But if you remember anythin

to contact the police and find out more details. T

e call," she said briskly. "Mark, stay here and

ll the police, his mind racing with thoughts of how to keep his secret hidden. He k

began laughing wholeheartedly. Mark entered the room and was surprised to s

na?" Mark asked as

rk," Selena replied as

u're happy? Why are you happy?" he ask

because Alex is dead," Sele

me minutes ago in the l

would think that I'm really sad ab

y with Alex's death?" Mar

that Alex is dead, I can finally get mar

boyfriend?" Mar

me yet, but he is a bill

s currently your boyfriend?"

said. "How did you even manage to ha

elena replied with a smirk. "And now that Alex i

, confusion, and a growing sense of unease. "Selena, do you understand what you're saying? Alex'

e to understand, Mark. Alex was holding me back. Now, I have the freedom to

isn't right. Alex was our family, and he didn't deserve to die just because you wante

always been unhappy with Alex. He was a burden, and now he's gon

. The police are already investigating, and if they find out you we

careful. Besides, who would suspect me? I was the grieving widow," she said, her smile returning. "And besides, I

ponsibility. He had played a part in Alex's death,

. This isn't a game. Lives are

eed to trust me. Everything will work out. Just let me enjoy my relationsh

weight of his conscience. He knew he had to keep his own secrets saf

if they've found anything about who is behind Ale

out what really happened," he

police. They were answering questions, and Mark felt

Mark," one of the o

d with a forced smile, hoping t

your brother-in-law," another

t who's behind his

ht last night with a group of thugs at the outskirts of the city," the officer repl

the officer's words. "Thank you for the update, officer. I

can to find out what happen

to the kitchen. He needed a moment to collect his thoughts. He couldn't believe h

mix of concern and determination.

ht, Selena. I just feel

ath affect you?" Selena asked firmly. Then, she gave him a su

hink I killed Alex? You know I wouldn'

re leaving the kitchen. Mark sig

the large living room. The atmosphere was heavy with un

s. Gregory cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. I

eath," she said quietly. "They deserve to know what hap

id, trying to keep his voice

not going to be easy, but they need to hear it from us," she said. Then she stood u

ew moments, she began speaking softly, explaining the situati

family are devastated," she said without any form of re

ashing down on him once again. He had brought this p

"We should also plan the funeral for tomorrow," she said. "I

cipate, but every mention of the funeral felt like another nail in his coffin. Finally, h

t strained, smile. "Thank you, Mark.

. Selena's earlier suspicion still lingered in his mind, making him feel even more paranoid. He glanced at his sister, who w

ing long shadows in the room, making everything feel even more somber. Eventual

ng guilty," he said to himself as he rose from

to sign the divorce papers. So I killed him. This means I did the righ