After My Death, His Love Turned Obsessive

I died, but somehow, my spirit ended up shadowing James.

James was white-knuckling the steering wheel, his body tense, eyes glued to the road ahead, his brows furrowed, yet he was slowing down.

"James, what's the deal? Feeling wiped from driving at night?"

Ella was wrapped in James' jacket, her big eyes brimming with worry and trust.

James thumped the steering wheel once, then leaned back, trying to ease up.

"Maybe, I don't know... got this nagging feeling something's off."

Ella dropped her gaze, her face hidden in the shadowy car interior.

"James, I can hang tough, but maybe we should swing back for Emma. Just in case, you know?"

James glanced out the window, his lips pinched tight. After a brief pause, he scoffed coldly.

"Out here in the boonies, and she's feeding us a line. No way."

"What's the worst that could happen to her? Luke's still with her, that lapdog."

Luke is not a lapdog!

Grandpa chose to support Luke, an orphan, worried I'd be left without an ally after he passed.

Luke's always been grateful, treating both Grandpa and me like his own family.

James would often say he and Ella were nothing more than childhood buddies; if they'd wanted more, it would've happened already. He told me not to worry.

Luke and I were always straightforward with each other, and never crossed a line. It stung to think James suspected otherwise.

His own words rang true, "A filthy heart sees dirt everywhere."

"Forget about her. How's your belly? Still aching?"

James rarely showed me this kind of attention. I used to think it was just how he was, but clearly, he just didn't care enough.

Ella pouted, resting her head lightly against James' shoulder.

She coaxed his hand to rest on her stomach.

"James, warm me up a little? It really helps."

James tensed up for a second, then subtly shifted to accommodate her, his hand steady on her stomach.

The silence in the car was thick with unsaid things.

From above, I felt an inexplicable pang in my chest.

I had been in agony from my periods before, twisting in pain, hoping he would hold and comfort me.

But he had shoved me away, disgusted.

"It's just a woman thing! Other girls deal with it; why can't you?"

"Keep your distance. Don't get any blood on my pajamas—it's bad luck!"

He always accused me of being paranoid, but their actions clearly went beyond mere friendship.

The car soon reached the city.

James rushed into a pharmacy, thoroughly consulting with the pharmacist about which pain relievers worked best with minimal side effects.

Turns out he could be considerate and attentive—just not towards me.

Later, at the supermarket, they were all smiles in the feminine products aisle, chatting about which brand was better.

In all our years of marriage, James had never once shopped with me like that.

Whenever I went to buy my sanitary products, he'd steer clear of the aisle.

"That's women's business. Why should I hang around there? It's embarrassing!"

Watching them now, I regretted all the tears I'd secretly shed over him.

James even took Ella straight back to our place.

"James, you think Emma will mind us crashing here without her okay?"

He paused as he swapped his shoes, then casually fetched a pair of women's slippers for Ella.

"This is my house. She can suck it up! Hurry up and change. I'll whip up some ginger soup for you; the doc said it's good for you."

My heart had shattered too many times that day.

Now, all I wanted was to be far away from them. But fate's a funny thing—in life, I couldn't get away from him, and in death, I couldn't either. How ironic.

After cleaning up, Ella emerged in his white shirt, holding his jacket from earlier, looking tentative.

"James, sorry about the mess. Should I take it home and wash it before giving it back?"

James casually took the jacket, heading towards the bathroom.

"The doc said no cold water for you now. I'll handle it. You just go and enjoy your ginger soup."

Look at that—he didn't mind the mess, remembered all the period dos and don'ts, but never cared to show me that concern.

When they finally settled on the sofa, Ella sipped her soup, looking up at James admiringly.

"James, you're incredible. If I ever snag a husband like you, I'd be the luckiest girl alive."

James' ears reddened, the air between them charged with an undefinable tension.

Right then, the phone rang, shattering the moment.