Elena's POV

I woke up with a jump, my heart beating like a drum inside my chest. What immediately came to my attention was the fact that I did not smell like the streets. The second thing was the constant sound of beeping of machines nearby.

I was at a hospital, yet I was not there as a patient. The rays of the sun were coming through the perfectly clean windows, and I stared at my hands. My hands were soft and clean. Not the broken, dirty things they had been reduced to in their two years of hell.

"Mrs. Martinez?" I was called back to reality by a voice I knew well. "Are you okay? Did you hear anything I said?"

I slowly turned my head, and there he was. Dr. James Parker, right by my side with that same sympathetic look I knew so well. It was the same deep worry in his forehead, the same cool bedside manner with which that life-shattering news had been given to me.

Or what I supposed had been the worst news of my life.

Dr. Parker went on, with his voice thick with false sympathy, "You blanked out when I told you about Marcus. It is perfectly natural. The sudden death of a spouse is traumatizing."

His statement brought up memories like a dam breaking in my head. All of the details of my former life crashed into my mind all at once, the debts, the mafia Victor Kozlov and his men, the streets, the hunger, the cold. And then, the last betrayal of finding Marcus alive, pregnant Sophia and what was supposed to be my death.

But somehow I was back. It was impossible, but I was back to the moment it all began, to that day two years ago when Dr. Parker told me Marcus was dead.

I stared at the doctor and really studied his face this time. I could see it now, the nervousness behind his eyes, the way his hands shook slightly, the sweat beading on his forehead despite the air conditioning. He wasn't grieving at all. He was scared.

"The accident was severe," Dr. Parker was saying, following the same script I remembered. "The trauma to his head... there was nothing we could do. I'm so sorry, Elena. Marcus is gone."

Gone. That lying piece of shit wasn't gone. He was definitely in that room, pumped full of whatever drug they had used to make him appear dead, waiting for the perfect moment to disappear with my step-sister Sophia.

But this time, I knew the truth and I had all the power.

After a few moments of thinking, I began to cry just like I did the first time. I let out the same broken sobs, the same devastated wails that had convinced everyone I was a grieving widow. Dr. Parker handed me the same box of tissues and made the same comforting sounds.

"I know this is difficult," he said gently. "But we may need to discuss arrangements. The morgue will need to..."

"No," I said suddenly, cutting him off. I wiped my eyes and looked at him with what I hoped appeared to be serious grief. "No funeral home."

Dr. Parker blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"I want him cremated," I said firmly. "Immediately. Today. Right now."

The change in Dr. Parker's expression was instant and beautiful. The fake sympathy vanished and was replaced by barely concealed panic. "Mrs. Martinez, I understand you're upset, but cremation is such a... permanent decision. Don't you think you should take some time to..."

"It's what Marcus would have wanted," I interrupted, my voice getting stronger. "He told me many times that he didn't want to be buried in the ground. He wanted to be cremated so his ashes could be scattered in the ocean."

That was a complete lie. Marcus had never mentioned cremation once in our entire marriage. But Dr. Parker didn't know that.

"But your family," Dr. Parker said desperately. "Surely they'll want to say goodbye? His sister Isabella, your step-sister Sophia... they'll want to pay their respects."

"They can say goodbye to his ashes," I said, standing up from the chair I was sitting in. "I'm his wife. I make the decisions about his body."

"Mrs. Martinez, please," Dr. Parker was practically begging now. "You're in shock. You're not thinking clearly. Cremation is irreversible. Once it's done, there's no going back."

"Exactly," I said, looking him straight in the eye. "I want to make sure my husband rests in peace. I want to make sure no one can ever disturb him again."

Dr. Parker's face had gone completely white. "But the...Don't you want one last chance to see him? To say goodbye?"

"I'll say goodbye at the crematorium," I said, already moving toward the door. "I want this done within the next hour."

"An hour?" Dr. Parker practically shrieked. "That's impossible! There are procedures, paperwork, death certificate..."

"Dr. Parker," I said sweetly, "is there a problem? You seem nervous."

"No problem at all," he said, his voice cracking. "I'm just... concerned about you. This is a big decision to make when you're grieving."

"I'm not grieving," I said. "I'm just a widow who wants to honor her husband's wishes."

Dr. Parker took a step back, and I saw him swallow hard. He was completely in shock by my decision and he didn't know how else to convince me otherwise. "Of course. I'll... I'll see what I can do."

"Then you better start making arrangements," I said coldly. "Because I'm not leaving this hospital without my husband's body."

I watched Dr. Parker fumble for his phone, his hands shaking as he dialed a number before I walked away. I had to strain hard to hear what he was saying and I could see the panic in his eyes through the window and the way he kept glancing at the door I walked out from.

"Isabella?" I heard him whisper into the phone. "We have a problem. Elena wants to cremate Marcus immediately. Yes, immediately. You need to get here now."

"Isabella? So Marcus's sister was also a part of the plan?" I said out loud to myself. I was always so good to her and I even trained her in college and started a business for her, which she handled terribly before it crumbled.

But this time, I wasn't the naive woman who would be easily manipulated. This time, I knew exactly what game they were playing.

Elena's POV

"Mrs. Martinez, please..." Dr Parker was trying once again to convince me to change my mind.

"Elena." The elevator doors opened and Isabella, Marcus' only sister came out of it, her face flushed and her eyes wild. Behind her was Sophia, looking equally panicked.

"Oh, Isabella," I said, turning to face my sister-in-law with a sad smile. "Marcus... how could he do this to us? How could he leave us so soon?" I broke down into fresh fake tears. He was such a wonderful man."

"Elena, honey," Isabella said, rushing to my side. "He was the only family I had... I'm hurt beyond words." She said the words, but she had no tears in her eyes. "Dr. Parker called me. He said you want to cremate Marcus? Don't you think that's a little... hasty?"

"It's what he would have wanted," I said simply. "He told me many times that he didn't want to be buried."

"But we haven't even had a chance to say goodbye," Sophia said, "He's my brother-in-law. I loved him too."

Oh, Sophia. If only you knew how much I was going to enjoy destroying you.

"You can say goodbye to his ashes," I said, just like I told Dr. Parker. "I've made up my mind."

"Oh, Elena, you are not in your right senses!" exclaimed Isabella with desperation in her voice. "You are in shock. You must take time to digest this first."

"I do not need time. I want my husband to rest in peace. And the only way I can make sure about it is by having him cremated now." I replied to her.

Isabella and Sophia gave each other a look of sheer panic and I could see it. Dr. Parker stood beside me still in utter confusion.

"Please, Elena," Sophia begged. "Think about it. "After he is cremated, there is no going back. Are you willing to do that?"

I gazed at her. This woman who had been having an affair with my husband, who had become pregnant with his child, who had been a part of helping him fake his death to go and leave me to suffer for their crimes.

Slowly I said, "Yes. I am prepared for that. I am already prepared to have Marcus gone forever."

The expression of sheer horror that swept over each of the three faces was worth all the pain I suffered in my former life.

And as I watched them frantically trying to think how they could save their dearly beloved plan, I smiled to myself.

Game on.

After what seemed like an eternity of silence, Isabella replied, "Elena, honey, you have gone through so much today. Why don't we go to the cafeteria? Get some fresh air and clear our heads?"

I nearly laughed. This suggestion is the one I fell for in my previous life. I was so thankful that Marcus's sister was showing me so much care, was so much concerned about my health.

"Sounds nice," I replied, making sure to smile weakly. "I need a cup of coffee."

"Perfect," said Isabella, relief flooding her voice. "Dr. Parker, could you take care of the... paper work, until we come back? Just to get things started?"

Dr. Parker nodded eagerly. "Of course. I'll take care of everything."

I went along. I allowed Isabella to lead me out of the room, allowed Sophia to walk beside me with that fake worried look on her face.

There was hardly anyone in the cafeteria, it was early lunch time anyway. Isabella led me to a table at the corner, where nobody was.

"Oh, sit down here, sweetie," she said, patting my hand. "I will go and get us some coffee. Sophia, stay with Elena."

I watched Isabella go to the coffee machine. She was still glancing back at me, as though she feared I might run away and go and demand that Marcus should be cremated at once.

Sophia leaned over and put her hand on my hand and said, "Elena. I know it is difficult. I understand you are in pain. But Isabella is right, you should consider this decision."

"I am considering it," I said, drawing my hand away. "I am thinking about what Marcus would want."

"But what do you want?" Sophia pressed. "Don't you want to see him once more? To say goodbye properly?"

At the sight of her now, knowing what she did, I wondered how good she was at pretending. That worry in her eyes was so real. The way she leaned toward me as though she really cared about how much it hurt. If not that I remembered she had already been mocking my foolishness a few hours earlier in my former life, I might have taken her seriously.

"I have said goodbye," I said. "Once Dr. Parker told me he was dead, I said all that I had to say."

Isabella brought back two hot coffee cups, placing one before me and holding the other cup to herself. "There you go, honey. Drink this. It will make you feel good and relaxed."

I stared at the cup, memories from my previous life flooding back. I was so grateful for Isabella's kindness, so touched that she was taking care of me. I had taken that coffee without a second thought, and then...

Then I woke up hours later, groggy and confused, to be told that Marcus had already been cremated. That while I was unconscious, they took care of everything. That I had missed my chance to see him one last time.

"Thank you," I said, picking up the cup but not drinking from it. "You're so thoughtful."

Isabella smiled, but I could see the anxiety behind it. "Anything for family."

Family. Right. The same family that committed crimes and let me take the fall for them.

"I should call the funeral home," I said suddenly. "Let them know we're coming."

"No!" Isabella said quickly, then caught herself. "I mean, why don't you drink your coffee first? You look pale. You need to keep your strength up."

I lifted the cup to my lips, pretending to take a sip. "You're right. I do feel a little weak."

"That's shock," Sophia said. "It's completely normal after losing someone you love."

Someone you love. The irony was almost funny. They were sitting here, talking about love and loss.

"Sophia, would you mind getting me a muffin?" I said, setting my cup down without drinking.

"Sure thing Elena. Anything for you."

Immediately Sophia was gone, I turned to Isabella. "Actually, I would like to have some water too. Can you get it for me?"

"Of course," Isabella said, immediately standing up.

Immediately she left, I smoothly swapped our coffee cups. It was easier than I expected. They both got back at the same time and neither noticed I switched the cups.

"Better?" she asked, after I pretended to take a sip out of the water. Who knows if she drugged it too?

"Much better," I said, now holding her untampered cup of coffee. "Thank you."

Isabella picked up what had been my coffee and took a long sip. "This is good. Hospital coffee isn't usually this strong."

"It's perfect," I agreed, finally drinking from my own cup.

Elena's POV

We were silent for some moments. I saw Isabella taking bigger and bigger sips of her coffee. Sophia was playing with a muffin she had bought, obviously too nervous to eat it. And I was planning my next step.

"Well...you know what?" I began, "I believe I'm ready to go back. I would like to start the cremation process."

"You are sure?" Sophia asked. "Perhaps we had better wait a little. Allow you more time to properly think about it."

I guessed she knew the coffee was drugged and the more time she was asking for was for the effects to kick in.

"No," I answered. I have done enough thinking. I know what I want."

Isabella began to answer, but paused in mid-sentence. Her hand went to her forehead and she blinked very fast. "I... I feel weird."

"What do you mean, weird how?" I asked, pretending to be concerned.

"Dizzy," murmured Isabella, rocking in her chair. "Pretty dizzy."

"You should drink some water," Sophia said, but I could see the fear beginning to show in her eyes.

"I don't... I cannot..." Isabella's words became slurred. Her eyes were heavy, and it was difficult for her to hold her head upright.

"Isabella?" Sophia stretched across the table to shake her. "What is the matter?"

But Isabella was already sagging, and her head fell lightly on the table. She was knocked out.

"Oh my God," whispered Sophia, and looked around in confusion. "We have to get help!"

"No," I said, getting to my feet. "She is simply tired. It is all too much; the emotional cost of Marcus' death, it is too much for her. She needs to have a quiet room where she can rest."

I stopped a passing nurse. "I am sorry, my sister-in-law has fainted. Can you take us somewhere where she can lie down?"

The nurse was very quick to respond and within a few minutes, Isabella was moved to a room down the hall. The nurse checked her pulse and breathing.

"She seems fine," the nurse said. "Probably just stress and exhaustion. Let her sleep it off. She should be okay in a few hours or so."

"Thank you," I said gratefully. "We'll stay with her."

As soon as the nurse left, I turned to Sophia. "I need to go handle the cremation arrangements. Can you stay with Isabella?"

"But Elena," Sophia protested, "shouldn't we wait until she wakes up? I thought we agreed not to go ahead with that..."

"She'll understand," I said. "She knows how important this is to me. Besides, someone needs to watch over her."

I could see the war playing out on Sophia's face. She wanted to come with me, wanted to stop me from cremating Marcus, but she couldn't leave Isabella alone.

"I'll be back soon," I promised, already heading for the door. "Just let her rest."

I made my way back to Dr. Parker's office. He looked up when I entered and I could see hope and fear battling in his eyes.

"Mrs. Martinez! How are you feeling?"

"Much better," I said. "I'm ready to proceed with the cremation."

Dr. Parker's face fell. "But... but Isabella? I thought she was going to talk to you..."

"She did," I said. "She understands my decision. She's resting now, all this stress has been hard on her."

"And the discharge paperwork?" I asked. "Is it ready?"

"Yes," Dr. Parker said reluctantly. "Everything's been signed. The death certificate is complete."

"Perfect," I said. "Then let's go collect my husband's body."

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Dr. Parker asked one last time as we stood outside the room.

"I'm certain," I said, meeting his eyes. "I want my husband to rest in peace. Forever."

I then turned to the orderlies waiting for instructions. "Take him to the ambulance. We are going to the crematorium."

The doctor hesitated to hand me the death certificate, but he couldn't do much to stop me at this point.

"Thank you, Dr. Parker," I whispered, my voice shaking just enough to sound genuine. "I... I need to take him now. I've already made calls and arranged for the cremation."

Dr. Parker's eyebrows shot up. "Already? Elena..."

"Yes." I shook my head firmly. "Let's not waste anymore time."

He shifted uncomfortably, glancing toward the door.

"Well, if you're sure..." he started, but I was already walking toward the door where the ambulance waited.

"I'm sure," I said over my shoulder. "The crematorium is expecting us."

The orderlies then carefully loaded Marcus' body into the ambulance. He was still unconscious from whatever drug Dr. Parker had given him, looking pale and lifeless. Perfect.

As we drove to the crematorium, my phone kept on ringing. I glanced at it and each time it was either Isabella or Sophia. I guess Isabella was already awake and they were trying to stop me.

"Mrs. Martinez?" A woman in a dark suit approached us as we pulled up. "I'm Sarah Chen, the director. I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," I replied, accepting her condolences with a sad smile. "I appreciate you accommodating my request on such short notice."

"Of course. Grief doesn't follow a schedule." She gestured toward the building. "Shall we proceed?"

We wheeled Marcus' body into the preparation room and I looked around. This was where his lies would finally catch up with him.

"Are you ready, Mrs. Martinez?" Sarah asked gently.

I took a deep breath, placing my hand on the stretcher. "Yes. Marcus would want this."

But I didn't press the button to start the process.

"Actually," I said, turning to Sarah, "could you give me a few minutes alone with him? I need to say goodbye properly."

Sarah nodded understandingly. "Of course. Take all the time you need. Press the green button when you're ready. I'll be in my office."

I smiled to myself as the crematorium doors burst open, and Isabella's voice echoed through the building. "Where is she? Where's Elena?"

"Ma'am, please, you need to..." I heard what seemed like security trying to intervene.

"I need to see that murderer right now!" Isabella's voice was high-pitched, panicked. "She's about to kill my brother!"

I composed my face into an expression of confusion and grief just as Isabella and Sophia burst into the preparation room. Isabella's face was flushed, her hair disheveled like she was running. Sophia looked equally in panic, her usual composed behavior completely shattered.

"Elena!" Isabella gasped, rushing toward me. "I hope we're not too late. Where is he?! What have you done to my brother?!"

I blinked at them innocently. "Too late for what? What are you talking about?"

"You can't do this," Sophia said, her voice shaking as she looked around the room, her eyes scanning for where Marcus' body was. "You can't just... burn him like this."

"Burn him?" I repeated, letting confusion color my voice. "I'm cremating him. It's what he wanted. It's what we agreed."

"No, it's not!" Isabella snapped, then immediately tried to soften her tone. "I mean... Elena, you're in shock. You're not thinking clearly. Marcus would never say that."

"And what makes you so sure? I am his wife and I will make the final decisions." I said firmly.

"But still..." Sophia started.

"No buts," I interrupted, moving toward the control panel. "I've made my decision. This is what Marcus would have wanted, and I'm going to honor that."

"Elena, wait!" Isabella shouted, lunging forward. "You can't! You can't burn him alive!" The words came out of Isabella's mouth before she could stop them.

But I had already pressed the green button before she could push me away from the control panel. The fire started in the chamber and Isabella and Sophia's eyes widened in horror and they screamed in unison, rushing toward the chamber.

"Marcus! Noooo! Somebody please turn it off! She's burning him alive!" She screamed.

Isabella was sobbing now, clawing at the chamber door. "Please, Elena, you have to stop this! Please!"

"Stop what?" I asked. "The cremation of my dead husband?"

"He's not dead!" Isabella screamed. "He's alive! You're burning him alive!"

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "Did you just say I can't burn him alive? How can I burn someone alive when they're already dead? Are you saying Dr Parker lied to me and forged this death certificate? Because that is a serious medical crime!"

Sophia's face went white. "I... She meant... you can't burn him without proper preparations. The body needs to be..."

"No," I cut her off. "You need to tell me the truth right now!" I pretended to be agitated.

Sophia stepped forward, clearly trying to salvage the situation. "Elena, Isabella's just upset. She's not thinking clearly. We're all emotional right now."

I looked between them, watching Isabella still claw at the chamber doors with tears streaming down her face.

"You can't," Isabella said quickly. "That's exactly what I meant. You can't burn someone alive because Marcus is already dead."

"Then why did you say it?" I pressed. "Why would you say he's alive if you knew he was dead?"

"It was a slip," Sophia said, her voice getting higher. "She's just grieving. It's just so hard to believe he left us so suddenly."

I nodded slowly. Their reaction had just confirmed what I already knew. Marcus was still alive, and they were desperate to keep him that way.

"You're right," I said finally. "I'm sorry. I'm not thinking clearly. Maybe I should wait."

I walked over to the second compartment that was not on fire and opened it, pulling out Marcus' body. I signaled the security who had been watching the commotion from the door to please put him on the stretcher so we could leave.

"Elena," Sophia whispered, her voice broken. "I can explain..."

"Oh, no need. Sophia already did." I said keeping my face neutral. "You were just in shock. I totally understand."

I pushed the stretcher and began walking out of the door but then I paused. "I change my mind. We will have a funeral instead."