"I've given up on finding Dante," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Not searching anymore?" My sister asked, her voice hesitant but sharp.

I turned to the stairs, my eyes locking on Dante, holding Ariya in his arms, his lips pressed against hers in a kiss

"I can't find him," I choked out.

"Not anymore."

My sister stood frozen for a moment, before pushing a glass of wine into my hands. "Selina, it's been a month. He's gone. The chances. they're gone. You need to let go."

I stared at the wine, my hands trembling as I lifted it to my lips.

I drank it in one gulp, the burn searing through me like a wave of fire. It didn't stop the tears from falling.

"Is it really possible for someone to fake their disappearance just to trick their wife?"

"What kind of sick mind would do that? Anyone who pulls that kind of stunt is a monster. Better off dead!"

"You're right," I said softly, "Better off dead."

The house, once filled with Dante's warmth, now felt like a tomb.

Every time I came home, I turned on every light, brewed his favorite coffee, and placed it on the table, hoping, wishing, for him to walk through the door. But he didn't.

I picked up the wedding photo from the coffee table. Dante and I, smiling, happy. How long ago did that feel? His voice echoed in my mind, playful, yet tender: "If I'm ever gone, just look at this picture. I'll always be with you."

But now, all I could hear was the heavy weight of that final phone call. Dante's best friend, his voice breaking: "Selina. Dante's gone. He's never coming back."

I couldn't breathe. My phone slipped from my hand, falling to the floor as I crumpled. My only thought, frantic and desperate: I need to find him.

I sold everything. I didn't care. I hired a search team, poured every ounce of money into finding him-no matter the cost.

And then, I sent the message:

Dante passed away a month ago. The funeral is in three days.

Almost instantly, my phone lit up with messages.

"Selina, you can't just do this. Wait. There's still hope."

"How can you have a funeral so soon?"

"Dante's our brother. He can't be gone."

"He's dead. What's there to think about?"

I tossed my phone aside, the screen cracking against the table.

I stood up, my eyes scanning the house-his things, his life-scattered and empty. I began gathering his belongings, everything that was left.

But then I froze.

His clothes were there, but the rest-his razor, his toiletries, his sports bottle-were all gone.

The last thing I had of him. gone.

I laughed, but it was bitter, hollow.

I had spent the last month chasing shadows, searching for a man who had already slipped away.

But then it hit me-he wasn't lost. He was never missing.

He had returned.

Over the last month, while I searched frantically, he had come back. Quietly. Secretly.

Taking everything he left behind.

I sat there, my hands trembling as the footage played.

At the start of the month, Dante and Ariya entered the house, his arm draped possessively around her. They walked into our bedroom. On my bed. I watched, helplessly, as they consumed each other with desperate passion. Ariya, in my pajamas. Dante, kissing every inch of her body.

An hour later, he left, carrying a pile of clothes.

The second time, he swept Ariya into his arms in a princess carry, striding confidently into the house. On the sofa, Ariya wore that same satisfied expression. She looked directly at the camera. At me. A declaration. A victory.

My fists clenched, trying to hold back the sobs that threatened to tear me apart.

A sharp knock broke my daze. I didn't want to answer. But it persisted, louder, more urgent. Finally, I took a shaky breath and stood up.

I opened the door. There he was. Nill,Dante's cousin. His face grim, serious.

"Cousin..." I whispered, my voice barely a breath. "What's wrong?"

He didn't waste time with pleasantries.

"Dante's not dead."

A video flashed on my phone screen. Dante, sitting at a restaurant with Ariya, their eyes locked in an intimate gaze.

My fingers trembled.

Nill's voice cut through the silence. "Then why the hell are you arranging a funeral?"

"Everyone said he was dead," I choked out. "I had to believe it. I... I had to prepare."

Nill's silence was brief but thick with understanding. "Are you a widow now?"

I nodded.

"Cousin," he began again, his tone more gentle. "If you're still going ahead with this... I'll be there."

"I'll be waiting," I said coldly.

He sent me another video. I watched as Dante, livid, slammed his fist into a table. Ariya quickly tried to calm him, her hands pressing against his chest, her voice barely audible over the din of the surroundings.

But then Dante softened. I saw it. His anger, melting in the quiet comfort of her embrace.

She can calm him...

Dante. The man who once made me pay for every misstep, every mistake. He used to let me suffer in silence, in his rage. I'd wait for him to cool off before daring to apologize, begging for his forgiveness. But now? Ariya could stop him in an instant.

I closed my eyes, my heart sinking, and saved the videos.

Then, the phone rang.

Ariya's name flashed across the screen. I took a deep breath, answered it, and instantly, the loud music pierced my ears.

"Selina!" she yelled. "Have you completely lost your mind?! You're planning a funeral for Dante?! Do you have any idea what you're doing?!"

I could practically feel her stepping closer, her voice a razor. "I swear, if you don't cancel this ridiculous decision, when Dante gets back, you will regret it."

Before she could say more, I cut the call and placed the phone down. I grabbed a plate of food and sat down to eat. For the first time in weeks, I felt... at peace.

The next morning, I dialed Ariya's number. It rang. And rang. She finally picked up, her voice still sleepy, lazy.

"What's up? What do you want?"

I leaned back in my chair, the words dripping with venom. "I want you to come to Dante's funeral. After all, you're his best friend."

Silence. Then a sharp intake of breath. "Selina..." She snarled. "You're his wife! He's still missing, and you're already giving up on him? You're planning a funeral for him when he could still be alive? Are you wishing him dead?!"

I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped.

I reached into my bag, pulling out the death certificate. "He was lost in the ocean. I couldn't find him. So I declared him dead. You remember, right? Didn't you all tell me to move on?"

"When the news came... I was a wreck. Almost passed out. When I woke up, all of Dante's 'friends' were there, surrounding me."

"The place Dante disappeared is too dangerous. You should stop searching."

"Yeah, just let him go. It's hopeless."

At the time, I hadn't realized... the look in their eyes. The mockery.

Ariya's voice snapped me back to reality. "Don't think for a second I don't know what you're doing, Selina. No matter what happens when Dante comes back, he won't let you off the hook."

I smiled, cold and detached. "I'm not worried."

The phone argument echoed through the room, the sound sharp and frantic.

I got his death certificate.

Dante finally lost control. But I refused to let him find me.

With my pre-packed luggage in hand, I moved into my sister's house. I didn't leave for days, only coming out to prepare for the funeral.

The moment my sister entered, she couldn't hide her smugness. "I heard someone's losing their mind. The entire city's been hunting for you like you've disappeared off the face of the earth!"

I sat on the sofa, glancing at the missing persons notice.

A smirk tugged at my lips. "Let them search. I never planned on being found. He said he'd only show up if I lost my mind. Now, look at him-losing it himself. Sounds like he's the one who's gone mad."

She gasped, throwing her hands up in frustration. "I don't even know what to say anymore! How could anyone be so selfish?"

"Enough. Today is my husband's funeral. You should act like you're mourning."

With that, I grabbed my makeup bag, my hands trembling as I used concealer to mask the redness around my eyes, turning my face into a portrait of sorrow.

"Does this look convincing?" I asked, checking myself in the mirror.

My sister eyed me, nodding with approval. "You look perfect-like someone who's lost everything."

The two of us left for the funeral.

I sent the video of Dante, alive and well, to my sister, instructing her to play it when the time came.

Nill arrived first, stepping in with his black suit, his face a mask of cold professionalism. He handed me a wreath, his voice steady. "My condolences."

Then came the classmates, looking every bit the part of mourners, their eyes wide with feigned sadness. Seeing their fake sympathy made my stomach churn, but I kept my composure.

Family followed-my heart ached as I saw their grief. Yet, somewhere deep inside, a bitter taste lingered. Dante, what have you done? All this pain-just to escape for a moment?

The last to arrive were his "brothers"-each of them glaring, faces twisted with disdain.

One of them, seemingly brimming with anger, yanked me aside.

"Sis-in-law, this has to stop! Dante isn't dead! He's been searching for you nonstop! You've seen the TikTok, right?!"

I blinked, fighting back the urge to cry. "Don't comfort me. That TikTok was Ariya's doing."

"Why are you doing this?" he shouted. "You can't just pretend he's gone!"

I held my ground, forcing the words out through a clenched jaw. "Once someone is dead to me, they are gone for good. I'm not holding onto any hope."

He tried to speak again, but I caught my sister's eye. She rushed over, pulling him aside. I gave her a silent thanks.

A voice cracked through my quiet, "Dante... Why did you leave me?" My eyes burned, my voice almost breaking.

But before I could continue, a shrill, furious scream cut me off.

"Selina! Are you out of your mind?! I told you-Dante isn't dead!"

Ariya, her eyes filled with rage, stomped toward me.

"Dante's been gone for a month, and you're already holding a funeral?! You're burying him without even knowing what happened!" Her hands shook as she grabbed my arm, her grip tightening.

I glanced behind her-no sign of Dante. Still, I stood firm.

"How could you?" Ariya spat. "Dante loved you more than anything, and you just... gave up on him? Just like that?"

Her voice dripped with accusation.

I looked at her, a quiet smile curling on my lips. "Even if he's alive, a man who betrays me isn't worth a second of my time."

The door creaked open, and there he was. A shadow in the doorway, disheveled, barely recognizable. His clothes hung loosely on him, his face gaunt, eyes wild.

"Dante?" Ariya's voice cracked, and she stumbled back, her face pale. "No... No, it can't be you."

He swallowed, gasping for breath. "Wife... I'm not dead... I'm back."

Ariya's scream pierced the air, but Dante didn't even flinch. He staggered towards me, his voice hoarse.

"I'm sorry... I was trying to... ... but I couldn't leave you behind."

The room fell silent. Everyone stood frozen.

"You didn't think about the consequences," I said, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and hurt. "You thought you could just run away, and everything would be fine. Well, look around you. It's not fine."

Dante reached out, his hands shaking. "I-I didn't want this, Selina. I never wanted this."

My sister, still in shock, whispered, "You can't just show up like this... after everything..."

But I shook my head, stepping closer to Dante, locking eyes with him. "No more excuses. You don't get to walk back into my life like nothing happened."