Chapter 1
The heavy, suffocating silence of the dimly lit funeral parlor was instantly shattered by the frantic pounding of Christian’s heart. His navy blue button-down shirt felt suddenly restrictive against his chest as he stared down at the pale, lifeless face of his pregnant wife, Clara.
When his hand had brushed against her swollen belly and registered the faint, unmistakable pulse of life, his entire world tilted on its axis. The small brass key that had slipped from her cold, rigid fingers clinked softly against the satin lining of the casket, echoing like a gunshot in the quiet room.
May you like
"You're in shock, Christian! Step away from the casket right now!" Eleanor commanded, her voice sharp, panicky, and laced with a terrifying desperation that completely contradicted her grieving mother facade.
Eleanor stepped forward in her deep burgundy tailored dress, her manicured hands reaching out to physically pull her son away from the polished wooden box. Her eyes darted anxiously toward the entrance of the parlor where the US flag stood motionless beside the white floral arrangements.
