They were about to cre:mate my pregnant wife when I pleaded, “Open the coffin… just once.” They all laughed, until her belly moved. My mother-in-law turned pale. My brother-in-law hissed, “Close it now.” But I’d seen enough.

“Then explain it.”

For the first time, Helena’s voice cracked.

“It’s just muscle movement after death,” she said quickly.

“No,” I replied coldly. “Not like that.”

Marcus stepped toward the coffin.

“Close it.”

I turned slowly toward him.

“Touch that coffin,” I said calmly, “and you’ll regret it.”

He froze.

Not because I raised my voice.

Because I didn’t.

I called continue reading …