CHAPTER 1 — The Corpse That Refused to Stay Dead
Everyone in Ashcroft Memorial believed Princess Evelyn Hart had died.
The official report claimed a sudden heart attack during her lavish royal engagement celebration. Within hours, the media mourned her. Millions watched emotional tributes flood social media. Flowers covered the palace gates.
But someone wanted the funeral to happen as quickly as possible.
Late that night, Evelyn's body was transferred to the hospital morgue. The room was silent except for the humming refrigeration units.
Margaret Collins, a veteran morgue nurse with thirty-five years of experience, had prepared thousands of bodies.
Yet something felt... wrong.
Evelyn's skin wasn't as cold as it should have been.
Her fingertips looked strangely pink.
Margaret frowned.
"The doctors confirmed the time of death..." she whispered to herself.
Still, instinct told her not to seal the coffin.
As she leaned closer to adjust the bridal veil placed over Evelyn's face, something impossible happened.
A finger moved.
Margaret froze.
"No..."
Then another finger twitched.
Suddenly...
Evelyn's eyes burst open.
She gasped violently, sucking in air as if escaping from underwater.
Margaret stumbled backward in horror.
"My God..."
Evelyn grabbed Margaret's wrist with surprising strength.
Her lips trembled before barely forming five terrifying words.
"Don't let my fiancé know."
Margaret's blood ran cold.
Why would the first thing a woman say after returning from the dead be a warning about the man she was about to marry?
Before Margaret could ask another question...
The morgue door slammed open.
Two palace security officers entered.
"We're here to collect the body."
Margaret quickly pulled the sheet back over Evelyn, whose eyes silently begged for help.
For the first time in her career...
Margaret lied.
"I'm... still finishing the paperwork."
The guards exchanged suspicious looks.
Outside the room...
A black luxury sedan waited.
Inside sat Prince Adrian.
Smiling.
May you like
Watching.
Waiting.
