Chapter 63 Can't Cry Anymore
Ashley’s face kept popping up in Margaret’s head. On the plane, she tried to hold back her tears. In her hotel room, she got on her knees and thanked Margaret for hooking her up with the room.
Ashley's words still echoed in her mind. “Margaret, it’s my birthday tonight. You gotta come. No need for a gift; just you being there is enough.”
“Margaret, what do you like? Got any wishes?”
“I’ve got a gift for you, but you’ll have to wait a couple of weeks. Hang tight.”
“Thanks, Margaret, for seeing me off. Don’t forget to accept the gift I’m leaving you.”
Thinking about all this, Margaret felt a whirlwind of emotions, her eyes burning with a sadness she couldn’t put into words.
Maybe it was fate. In a month, she might end up the same way, lying in a crystal coffin.
Her eyes hurt, but she was all cried out. Just a dull ache in her chest.
Margaret walked up to the crystal coffin, bent down, and bowed three times.
She whispered with a bitter smile, “What’s this gift you’re talking about, Ashley? You loved Emily so much. How could you leave her? I don’t even know if I’ll be around to get your gift. But I’ll try.”
She didn’t see Ashley’s parents or Emily.
The Chapel of Rest was empty and quiet.
People left in a hurry, like no one wanted to stick around for a stranger.
Would her funeral be just as lonely?
Margaret couldn’t help but wonder. Probably. She didn’t have many friends, and her only best friend, Sarah, had stabbed her in the back.
Margaret used to have a close friend she shared everything with, but thanks to Sarah, their trio became a duo.
Her friend left the country in a huff and cut off all contact.
Before leaving, that friend sent her a message: [Margaret, Raymond and Sarah are bad news. Dump Raymond and find someone better. If you don’t, you’ll regret it.]
When she saw that message, she thought her friend was just jealous and deleted it.
Ironiclally, her friend was right.
She ended up here because of her own stupidity and bad choices.
A familiar male voice broke her thoughts. “Ms. Hughes, we meet again.”
Margaret’s hand froze, and she looked up.
Daniel, in a black hoodie and jeans, walked into the Chapel of Rest and came over.
Daniel had a smile on his face, his skin a healthy tan. He seemed to have gotten a buzz cut, making his features look sharper.
Margaret’s eyes widened in surprise. “Officer, what are you doing here?”
Daniel smiled, “The case is closed, but today’s her funeral. It’s the weekend, and I had nothing better to do, so I came.”
Margaret said, “Officer, I tried to pay you back for the fare, but you didn’t take it. How about you name a price?”
Margaret still remembered; she didn’t like owing people.
Daniel glanced at her and smiled. “It was no big deal, don’t worry about it. I told you, helping you is part of my job. I’d do the same for anyone else.”
Margaret pressed her lips together. “But I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
Daniel smirked, “If you really wanna thank me, just live your life right. Don’t pull an Ashley and make us worry.”
He was basically telling her not to do anything stupid, no matter how tough things got.
Margaret chuckled, almost reassuring both him and herself. “Don’t worry, I’m more scared of pain and I value my life more than anyone.”
She had too much left to do and not enough time. No way she’d throw it all away.
The next sec, Margaret frowned, like she just remembered something, and looked at Daniel. “Officer, can you do me a favor?”
Daniel asked, “What kind of favor?”
Margaret replied, “Help me find someone.”
Daniel asked, “Who?”
Margaret pressed her lips together and spoke slowly, “A little boy, but he’s mute.”
Daniel seemed like a straight shooter; her gut told her he could be trusted.
If he agreed to help, she might actually find the mute boy before she kicked the bucket.
She had no one else to rely on. She thought about hiring a private detective but didn’t feel safe with that.
Daniel didn’t respond right away.
Margaret thought he might not want to help for free and added, “If you can find him, I'll pay you well.”
Just then, a commotion broke out in the Chapel of Rest.
“Look at that young couple; they’re such a perfect match.”
“Are they together?”
“They must be, holding hands like that.”
People were gossiping, and the cold, quiet chapel turned into a noisy marketplace.
Margaret stayed half-squatting, just turning her head a bit.
Raymond, in a black suit, looked tall and commanding, oozing confidence.
Sarah, with her long curly hair and light makeup, clung to his arm.
All eyes were on them, but they walked straight ahead, ignoring everyone.
Alvin followed behind them, silent.
Raymond, with his long strides, headed towards the Chapel of Rest with a blank expression.
The warm sunlight hit him, making it hard for Margaret to look away.
Margaret thought, 'Raymond isn’t even trying to hide it anymore? We’re not even divorced yet, and he’s already flaunting Sarah?'
Margaret felt a tightness in her chest.
Ashley’s mom, Dorothy Jackson, dressed in black, rushed up to them, nodding and bowing to Sarah, wiping her tears. “Ms. Martinez, you’re here. You’re such an honored guest. Please, come inside.”
“Dorothy, you’re too kind. Ashley and I were classmates. She needed help, and I just did what anyone would do.” Sarah smiled gracefully, playing the part of a socialite.
Margaret stared hard at Raymond in the distance.
Raymond seemed to feel it and looked up, spotting Margaret.
But there was someone beside her, Daniel, and they were standing pretty close.
Raymond frowned slightly.
“Ms. Martinez, who is this gentleman? Is he your boyfriend?” Dorothy noticed the distinguished Raymond and asked Sarah, mainly because Sarah hadn’t introduced him, and she didn’t know how to address him.
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