yed in my darkened bedroom, refusing food, speaking only in hushed, broken sentences. Martha hovered, her presence a constant, suffo

nted her to see: a wom

e drama. I allowed Martha to dress me in a simple black dress, my movements slow and l

orms a stark contrast to the somber room. Friends and neighbors filled the pews, their faces

rieving brother and the devastated family friend. He caught my eye and gave me a small, sad nod, a gesture of shared loss. The

d impatient, eager for this formality to be over so her new life could begin. Their arrogance was m

courage. He spoke about the man I had married, but he was talking about the man in the casket. Mark

up to the podium.

.. it' s a hole that will never be filled." He looked directly at me. "I see Sarah, my brave sis

t of his words settle. Emily

the lie rolling off his tongue so easily. "He told me once, 'If a

g twin. The plan was even more twisted than I' d realized. He wa

. We' ve decided... to face the future together. To honor David by building a life he would have wanted for his family. W

sacrifice. He was the dutiful brother stepping up. Emily was the caring friend supporting him. Peopl

w two s

see the vultu

even a protest. I gave them nothing. I just sat there, my face a blank canvas of shock, letting t

the harder his fall would be. An