“Dad’s autopsy is finished. He’s being prepared for cremation.”
Ryan finally showed up.
My father-in-law had been here for three days and nights.
If he was watching from above, he would probably want to see his son one last time.
But Ryan didn’t even try to lift the sheet. He just gave me a perfunctory nod.
“Say your goodbye. I’ll wait by the door.”
I grabbed his sleeve and pleaded,
“Just take one look. If you don’t look now, you won’t ever have another chance.”
Ryan shook me off, irritated, his face hard.
“What’s the point of looking? Everyone has their fate. This is your father’s fate. He had to accept it—and as his daughter, so do you.”
“Accept it?” My nose stung.
“Don’t you get it? His death wasn’t an accident. Someone did this.”
“And the person responsible is Grace!”
“Ryan, how can you be so heartless? He’s right in front of you. You won’t seek justice for him, and you can’t even look at him one last time?”
Ryan’s face darkened.
“You keep slandering Grace. What do you get out of it? Trying to cash in on my father’s death?”
“Fine. If you stop going after Grace, I’ll give you fifty thousand dollars. That enough?”
Ice seeped through my bones.
I never imagined he’d say something so shameless with my father-in-law lying right there.
My mother-in-law’s furious voice cut through the air:
“You unfilial son—you finally decided to show up!”
Ryan froze, then hurried to support her.
“Mom, why are you here?”
“It’s just paperwork. You didn’t need to come.”
Tears and rage shook her.
“What are you talking about? Your father is dead! You wouldn’t come yourself—and you wouldn’t let me come either?”
The doctor rushed over.
“Please—don’t agitate her. She’s fainted several times already.”
Right then, Ryan snapped. He shoved me hard against the wall and snarled,
“Emily, you’ve gone too far! You know my parents mean more to me than my own life!”
I twisted his little finger, pivoted, and slammed him back against the wall.
“Why are you taking it out on me?”
“Dad is gone, and Mom needs care. Instead of threatening me, maybe look at them!”
Seeing us struggle, my mother-in-law tried to pull us apart,
but the effort overwhelmed her—she fainted again and was rushed into the ER.
By the time she recovered, my father-in-law had been taken away in a hearse.
Maybe being cremated and laid to rest as soon as possible was better for him.
Ryan had no objections; he only insisted on sending my mother-in-law home.
“Mom, your health is fragile. Please, just listen to me this time.”
“I promise I’ll handle everything with Emily…”
She looked at me, worried. She knew she could only weigh us down right now.
Helplessly, she agreed.
Ryan exhaled in relief—then his phone rang.
He spoke in a low voice; his tone turned anxious. He hung up and bolted for the door.
“Sandy is in critical condition. I have to go—now! Emily, take care of my mom. If anything happens to her, I’ll make you pay!”
He hurried out.
My mother-in-law stared, bewildered, her voice trembling.
“Who… is Sandy?”
My eyes burned. I answered quietly,
“Grace’s dog. The antivenom was used on it.”
“But I’ve already dealt with that animal.”
