CHAPTER 3 – "The Widow at His Funeral"
Six months later, Ryan Carter stood on the tallest stage in New York, accepting applause from the most powerful people in America.
He had inherited everything.
Emily’s shares.
Her father’s company.
Her family mansion.
Even the public sympathy.
To the world, he was the tragic widower who survived heartbreak and built an empire.
But that night, during Carter Holdings’ annual gala, every screen suddenly turned black.
The music stopped.
The champagne glasses froze in midair.
Then a woman’s voice echoed through the ballroom.
“Hello, Ryan.”
Ryan’s face went pale.
That voice was impossible.
Emily was dead.
A video appeared.
Emily Carter stood in a white suit, alive, calm, and colder than winter.
“You threw me from a plane.”
Gasps exploded across the room.
Victoria dropped her glass.
Ryan whispered, “No…”
Emily continued.
“You stole my father’s company. You murdered him. And you tried to kill me before I could expose you.”
Then the screen split.
Bank transfers.
Fake contracts.
Secret recordings.
A private jet security clip.
And finally…
A baby’s ultrasound.
Emily placed her hand on her stomach.
“You didn’t just try to kill your wife, Ryan.”
“You tried to kill your heir.”
Police lights flashed outside the glass windows.
FBI agents entered the ballroom.
Ryan turned to run—
But every exit was already blocked.
Then the grand doors opened.
Emily walked in alive.
The entire room fell silent.
Ryan collapsed to his knees.
“Emily… please…”
She looked down at him with tears in her eyes.
May you like
But her voice was steady.
“You should have begged before you opened that door.”
