Liam froze, visibly taken aback by my cold tone. He had clearly expected a different reaction, the same blind, weeping grief as before.

"Mamma, what's that supposed to mean?" he stammered.

I ignored him, turning instead to the family elders present in the room. In a clear, steady voice, I declared, "I demand a traditional open-casket wake for Finnian."

"He was a Capo in this family, and he deserves that honor. I want all the Made Men loyal to the O'Malley name to pay their last respects. Have the family morticians prepare him."

Liam's eyes widened in stunned disbelief. He stared at me, speechless, as I made the pronouncement in front of everyone.

"An open-casket wake? Mamma, what are you trying to do?" His voice was thin, laced with shock.

I met his gaze, my expression calm and resolute. "Your father died for the honor of this family. His body is still whole. It is only right that everyone sees him one last time, to remember his sacrifice."

It didn't take long for the family's morticians to arrive. They were stationed nearby and responded at once.

"Mrs. O'Malley. We're here for the arrangements," one of them said upon arriving.

I gave a graceful nod, gesturing toward my "deceased" husband on the bed.

"Yes. The body is here."

Several of the family elders looked at me with approval, clearly impressed by my composure. "You've done well, Aine. To think of the family's dignity at a time like this… you are truly a daughter of the Callahan house."

"It's nothing. My husband valued family honor above all. I am only doing what he would have wanted," I replied smoothly.

The elders nodded. "Time is of the essence. They will first embalm your husband's body and then transport it to the chapel for the ceremony. Is that acceptable?"

"Of course. That would be perfect," I agreed.

But just as the morticians moved to take Finnian's body, Liam finally snapped.

"Wait! Stop!"