My Villainy Starts With a Coffin

I took a stack of papers from my bag and handed it to her. "Would you like to look at it again?"

Jasmine ignored the papers, her irritation mounting. She had not expected me to push back.

"That was yesterday! Things have changed since then, okay? So can you stop being a smartass and do what you're supposed to do already?"

I nodded. "Alright. You've got a point."

Her eyes softened, a trace of smugness settling in.

I took out my phone and called the priest.

"Hello? Mrs. Whitaker?" the man answered.

"Good day, Father Matthew. Sorry to bother you," I said politely. "My mother-in-law mentioned there were changes to be made for Mr. Shawn Whitaker, my grandfather-in-law. She said you wanted them amended and hoped to discuss them with me. Is that correct?"

Silence ensued.

Jasmine's face flushed bright pink.

"Uh, I don't believe there's anything significant pending amendment, ma'am. There's no need to trouble yourself," he replied at last.

That was a roundabout way of asking what I was talking about.

[Wait, when did she grow a brain?]

[She's supposed to be a low-IQ bimbo, chat. Vincent married her for that! How else is he going to take control of her family business?]

[Guys, relax. He'll take all her assets, kick that dumb bitch to the curb, and live happily ever after with Best Girl Stephie. This is just a red herring.]

I glared at the live chat.

So that was the ending written for me? Not a chance.

"What is your problem, Aya? Did you really need to act like a Pulitzer Prize reporter and verify every detail? What's the point here? To humiliate my mom, who's old enough to get confused?" Jasmine snapped. "Just check with her and confirm everything, for God's sake. It's not a big ask."

"I'm taking this seriously because it's our grandfather's funeral, Jazzy. People are coming from near and far to pay their last respects to a life well lived. We should be careful and precise," I replied evenly. "I also don't think it's right to leave a gap in the coffin when it should already be sealed. This is exactly the kind of mistake we avoid by taking things seriously."

Jasmine froze. Nearby, relatives and visitors began to murmur.

"Wait, they didn't close the lid properly? Why is there a gap?"

"That's a serious oversight. I doubt Mr. Whitaker's soul would be pleased…"

Jasmine had always been thin-skinned. She would never risk tarnishing her pristine image, and I was counting on that.

From where I stood, I could see the coffin shifting slightly and smiled. Now that was devotion carried to the grave. Their passion must be intense enough to leave them breathless.

Vincent and Stephanie were likely drenched in sweat and gasping for air by now. Even the live chat grew anxious.

[Oh God, oh God, oh God!]

[My Best Girl is dying, you bitch!]

[Do something, Jazzy! Please!]

Just as it seemed we had reached a stalemate, Jasmine's eyes lit up. "Aunt Kimmy!"

Kim approached with a bowl of soup. "There you are, sweetie. I've been looking everywhere for you. You've helped so much with the funeral. You must be hungry. Here, I made this for you. Take a break in the lounge. I'll handle things here."

[Vincent texted her for help! She's here to save him!]

[Drink it! Drink it and get drugged! I need my Best Girl out of there!]

I pushed the bowl away. "I can't accept this, Aunt Kimmy."

Kim's jaw tightened as she raised her voice. "Are you really going to reject my kindness in front of everyone? Or are you trying to embarrass the whole family?"

[Stop throwing a fit, Aya! No one cares! My girl is dying in there!]

[She just needs one sip. It takes less than three minutes for the drug to work! Then our best couple can be free!]

[Aunt Kimmy's going all out for her cheating nephew, huh?]

Kim pressed the bowl toward my lips.

I raised my hand and knocked it aside, sending the contents spilling over my thighs. I let out a startled cry as the bowl slipped from my grasp and shattered on the floor.

"Oh no… Why am I always so clumsy?" I said, forcing an apologetic tone. "The soup was too hot, and my hand slipped. I'm sorry."