I stood there, an impassive observer, as Brandon's mother, Aria Brown, clad in her luxurious mink coat, lost all composure and made a spectacle of herself on the ground.

A curious crowd had formed, their whispers and pointed looks directed at me.

"A mother should never be denied the chance to see her son one last time, no matter the circumstances."

"That woman doesn't look like she's ever lived a day quietly in her life."

"Who dresses up that nicely right after her husband's death? She's probably just come from a rendezvous with some lover."

The murmurs did not faze me. Melissa, on the other hand, rushed to Aria's side, helping her up. "Mrs. Scott, please stand up. Noelle didn't mean for this to happen."

Aria regained her footing and jabbed a finger at me. "You're dead to us. The Scott family wants nothing to do with you, and you certainly won't be handling my son's final affairs."

I let a small smile play on my lips. "Mom, surely you know I kept it from you because I thought you couldn't handle it?

"However, it looks like you're handling it just fine. Instead of rushing to see your son one last time, you found the time to throw a fit here. Anyone would think Brandon was still alive."

Guilt flickered across Aria and Melissa's faces, but they doubled down. "I just lost it when I heard you were going to cremate my son. I'm on my way to see him now."

I gestured toward the distant hearse. "Go ahead, he's right there."

Aria's eyes followed my gesture, and she erupted, her eyes bulging with fury. "Noelle, that's a hearse! It's meant for the dead. How could you put my son in there?

"Have you no humanity? After all the kindness my son showed you!"

Feigning confusion, I met Aria's gaze. "Mom, what are you talking about? Hearses are for the dead, and isn't your son, well, dead? I don't see the issue."

Aria's expression darkened, and she shot me a venomous glare, clearly taken aback by my articulate defense.

Melissa, however, was the one to step in. "Noelle, don't be too hard on Mrs. Scott. She's just following our local custom. When someone dies, we keep them at the funeral home for a few days. It gives everyone a chance to pay their respects before the burial."

Aria quickly nodded. "Exactly, now let's put my son to rest. Melissa always makes sense."

So, we followed the tradition. What was the big deal?

However, Brandon could not be taken back to his city home just yet. The neighbors would not appreciate a funeral disrupting the peace of their community.

For then, he would be taken to his family's country house.

It was as if everything had been prearranged, Brandon's country home was ready for the memorial, with modest decorations and chairs out front for visitors to sit and take a moment.

However, what was unexpected was the lack of grief on the faces of the attendees. It felt more like a casual get-together, with some even chatting quietly among themselves.

Aria, with a glass of red wine in hand, was all smiles, greeting guests as if hosting a party rather than mourning her son.

Melissa turned to me and said, "Noelle, you've been on your feet all day. Sit down and relax, I'll keep an eye on things here."

I grabbed a plate of food and settled myself beside Brandon with a composed air. "That's not necessary. He's not your husband. What are you watching over?"

Melissa's face clouded over as she fixed her gaze on me.

I waved her off. "Aren't we supposed to wait three days? I'll be right here the whole time, and I won't let anyone disturb him."

With a frustrated glance, Melissa had no choice but to go back and consult with Aria.

Two figures slipped into a shadowy corner, whispering urgently about their next move.

I trailed behind them, catching Melissa's voice laced with panic, "What are we going to do? If Brandon goes three days without food, he'll waste away!"

Aria looked downright displeasure. "That witch is always ruining our plans. I've got it—later, I'll mix some sleeping pills into her drink. She'll be out like a light."

I let out a mocking laugh and settled back into my seat.

'Thinking of eating? Enjoy your final feast,' I mused bitterly.

I took a seat beside Brandon. Not long after, Aria approached with a cup of water in hand and a smile plastered on her face.

"Noelle, I was wrong about you. You must be worn out. Here, have some water," she offered.

I dismissed her with a wave. "Save it, Mom. You go get some rest. I'll be the one sitting by my husband for the next three days, and I don't need any help."

Aria's face turned stormy, and she snapped, "That's not going to work. Wouldn't that lead to starvation?"

Had I not known she was fretting over Brandon, I might have mistaken her for a caring mother-in-law.

"Thanks for the concern, but if I get hungry, I'll just grab a bite to eat," I assured her.

Aria gritted her teeth, barely holding back her anger. "At least drink some water."

When she tried to force the water on me, I took the cup and pretended to sip.

Satisfied, Aria finally left.

That night, I feigned sleep beside the coffin, only to be stirred by the sound of footsteps.

"That woman is driving me mad, making my son go a whole day without food," grumbled Aria.

Melissa then said, "Let's get Brandon something to eat. He's got to be famished."

I felt Melissa draw near, gently tapping Brandon's cheek. "Brandon, it's me. Are you awake?"

Brandon's voice broke the silence, "When I came to, the drugs should've knocked me out for hours. The moment I opened my eyes, Noelle was right by my side. Man, it gave me quite the jolt.

"And how is she still standing? With her heart condition and all those extra shifts she's pulled this month, she should've been a wreck seeing me 'dead'."

Aria chuckled mockingly. "That woman doesn't care about you. If she did, she wouldn't have just stood there without batting an eyelash."

I smirked at their words. In my previous life, Oswin had actually gotten sick from their little game and ended up dying of pure rage.

However, this time around, I was given a second shot at life. I would never fall for the same tricks again.

"Son, it's time to eat. I'll figure out a plan to get you two divorced. That way, she won't see a dime of that lottery money."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm on it. I'm so hungry that I could die."

At that moment, I feigned a groggy awakening. "Who's there? Who's talking?"

Brandon had no choice but to play dead again, while Melissa and Aria quickly hid the food and stood back.

"You've dozed off, Noelle. Maybe you should head to bed?"

I glanced at them and shook my head. "No way, I'm staying right here with my husband."

Their faces darkened with anger, but they bit their tongues, wary of messing up their scheme.

That night, I had tied a rope between Brandon's wrist and mine. Any move he made, I would be awake in an instant.

Come morning, Melissa and Aria's glares could have set me ablaze. I mean, I had kept Aria's son hungry for a full day and night. It only made sense they were fuming.

The next day, Aria tried her old trick again, offering me a cup laced with a sleeping draught.

I played along, pretending to drink, and acted as if I had drifted off.

As night fell, Aria and Melissa crept in, up to no good.

Brandon shot up in bed, thinking that if even someone in a coma had to shift positions periodically, he certainly should too.

I jerked my head up, staring at him, my eyes wide with disbelief.

"Honey, I thought you were gone! How are you sitting up?"