The Last Wife

five

• fun funeral •

I step out of the car.

Glasses on. The sun kissing my skin. Stretching my dress. Black hat over my hair.

The funeral venue is exquisite. It's simple, beautiful, elegant and in perfect taste. There are lilies of the valley and white orchids everywhere. I can't help but think, it looks more like a wedding than a funeral. A happy colourful ceremony. Almost like it's a fun funeral.

Throngs of people have turned up for Harvey's funeral. From family to friends to business associates. The venue is filled up. Not a surprise considering he was a prominent business tycoon.

The reporters stand a few steps away, cameras steady in their hands. Lights flash at me as I walk to the front row. 'She's the last wife of Harvey Ford' I hear a woman whisper to her friend. 'Poor young widow' another man whispers. I wonder if I look sad enough for the crowd and cameras. If my frown is convincing enough. If I look like a woman who just lost her dear husband and is frustrated and devastated over it. Because I need to look like that...

I need to convince the cops and the media that I'm a sad widow...

Just before the mass starts, Erik walks in with his assistant beside him.

He takes a seat next to me and whispers.

"My condolences for your husband."

I completely ignore him but he gets closer.

"Oh, wait. I should be congratulating you. You finally got what you wanted."

I glare at him.

"What the f**k are you doing here?"

"Paying my last respects to your poor husband." He smirks. "And ofcourse to push your buttons a little."

I roll my eyes and ignore him.

Sitting beside him makes me tense and uncomfortable. I feel like pouncing on him and punching him. I really can't stand him anymore. He's not the Erik I fell for. He's cold and mean and heartless and soulless. Not the smooth and sweet Erik I used to know...

After that horrible dinner at his house, I came to terms with the fact that he's not the Erik I used to know. I lost him forever. I will never have him back.

Just before the mass ends, a woman in a wheelchair and dark glasses rolls in. A tall man in a suit walks behind her, pushing the wheel. They sit at the back row.

Looking closely at the woman, I notice that it's Harvey's first wife.

Peninah Ford.

I saw her often when I was a kid. She was a good friend of my mom's. The years have really taken a toll on her. With her face all wrinkled up and her paralysed body nailed to the wheelchair. She looks nothing like the lovely and vibrant woman I used to know. I'm surprised her doctor let her attend the funeral in her state...

A couple of minutes later, we all watch as Harvey's body is lowered to the ground. People tossing roses on his grave.

I force myself to shed tears but I just can't. Not for the man who killed my mom. I look around and notice that no one seems to be crying. No one seems to be sad that this devil of a man is gone. They've all put on frowns, probably acting as masks behind their wide smiles. And maybe one of these people is the killer...

The killer that tried to frame me...

"My condolences!" A woman says with a sad smile. "Sorry for your loss. You must be sad..."

I'm not sad. I'm confused. I don't know what to feel. I feel angry. So angry at Harvey for dying without me getting the chance to confront him. But strangely, I also feel sad for him. Sad that someone killed him on a special night. He was so happy on the honeymoon night.

I have a feeling that this person was so close to Harvey. And this same person was trying to frame me.

Am I dealing with Harvey's enemy or my enemy?

****

It has been a long day.

Receiving condolences, shaking hands and faking smiles all ar once is no easy task. I'm exhausted after a few hours.

I sigh when it's finally time to go back home. Just as I'm walking to the parking lot, a hand grips my arm. I turn back to see Peninah Ford with the tall man in a suit behind her.

"Good evening." I plaster a smile.

"Good evening, young lady."

I'm surprised Peninah can talk. Last I checked, she was paralysed and couldn't be able to utter a single word.

"So nice to meet you, Mrs. Ford."

I stretch my hand to greet her but pull it back when I remember that she can't see me. She's blind. Has been for years after the accident...

"Nice to meet you too." She says flatly. "Looking forward to see you at tomorrow's meeting..."

"Tomorrow's meeting?"

"Yes. The meeting with the family attorney?"

"Oh, I won't miss it."

"Ofcourse you won't."

The tall man rolls her away, his cold gray eyes still fixed on me. That was such a weird and creepy encounter. And why is Harvey's first wife suddenly in the picture? He never once talked about her and I never saw her even come to visit him. The couple strangely cut contacts without divorcing. I never really understood why he couldn't divorce her after so many years apart.

Last time I checked, Peninah lives in England with her family. Did she really have to fly across the world to visit Harvey's funeral? Why show up suddenly when he's dead?

Something just doesn't add up...

From a distance, I see Erik standing with Detective Dickson. The same detective that interrogated me a few days ago. He was so harsh and impatient.

The two men seem to be deep in a serious discussion. Erik smirks when he finds me staring at him. That piece of s**t is trying to get me in more trouble!

I walk over to them and clear my throat.

"Good evening, gentlemen."

"Good evening, Mrs. Ford." The detective frowns. "My condolences for your husband. I'm really sorry for your loss."

"Thankyou." I force a smile. "Mr. Hunt here seems to be very generous with information."

"What the f**k are you doing, Ruby?" Erik hisses in my ear.

"Well, whatever he has told you is false, Detective." I continue. "Has he told you that he used to be my boyfriend?"

"He definitely has."

A victorious grin draws across Erik's face when he sees the surprise on my face.

"Well, I'd also like to inform you that Mr. Hunt is a bitter and angry ex who doesn't have the balls to move on. Maybe you should try and help him in that sector..."

I walk away furiously, the wind flapping my hair. When I get to my car, Erik grabs my hand and makes me face him.

"What the f**k was that!" He demands.

"I should be the one asking you that question, Erik!" I snap. "What the f**k was that!"

"I was having a serious conversation with the detective before you rudely interrupted."

"A serious conversation about me?"

"Yeah, and how you'll rot in jail for the rest of your miserable life!"

"Can you just f**k off!" I sneer and push him away.

I turn back to get into my car when he suddenly grabs my arm, Immediately stopping me.

"f**k off, Erik!" I snap.

"You're really cute when you get all worked up, you know..."

"What the f**k do you want from me, Erik! Fine! I'm broken and sad and miserable and lonely after what I did to you! Isn't that what you wanted! Happy now? Can you just leave me alone now?"

"No." He glares at me. "Not until I watch you crawl, begging for me to forgive you."

"Catch. Me. Dead."

I turn back to get into my car when he stops me again.

"I'm not impressed by what you just told the detective by the way..."

"What?"

"That I'm the bitter and angry ex who doesn't have the balls to move on."

"The truth is hard to swallow, huh?"

He scoffs.

"So you think I haven't moved on?"

"Have you?"

He laughs. A bitter laugh.

"You're really so full of yourself, Ruby. I used to think it's sexy but it's actually embarrassing. Moving on from you was surprisingly effortless."

I burst out a laugh.

"Then why are you here? Trying so hard to convince me that you've moved on? Showing up at my husband's funeral and sitting next to me? Turning up for my wedding and f*****g me in the washrooms?" I scoff. "Doesn't sound to me like someone who has moved on?"

He snickers.

"The only reason I f****d you at your wedding is because I knew you are a cheap cheating slut!"

I slap him so hard across the cheek that my hand hurts. I watch as his face turns red and pale. A small smirk slowly curves on his lips.

"I totally deserve that slap." He pauses. "Especially for what I'm about to do to you next."

****