Ashley
I gasped as I fluttered my eyes open, realizing I was lying on the cold, hard ground.
How… how was I even alive? I questioned myself as I looked around. I attempted to raise my head, and surprisingly, I managed to do so. It was a shock because I should have been dead. Yet somehow, I was alive—and I didn't feel any pain.
How could that be possible?
"What kind of miracle is this?" I whispered to myself as I scanned my surroundings.
When I stood up from the ground, I noticed my body still lying there. I gasped and quickly covered my mouth. "How…?" I questioned again, staring at my hands and realizing I was fading away like a ghost.
"How is any of this possible?" I murmured, looking up from where I had fallen.
The lights were still on, meaning my sister and husband were both in the room, pretending as if I had never existed. I couldn't figure out why I had turned into a ghost, but somehow, I was standing by my own lifeless body.
I fell to my knees beside it and burst into tears, watching as my eyes were open, tears still streaked with blood on my face. I cried out, knowing no one would hear me because I had become a ghost.
"Why me?" I shouted, clutching my stomach. "I should have had a son… or maybe a daughter, but I can't anymore because my baby is gone!" I screamed and tried to strike the ground, but my hand passed through it.
While reflecting on my demise, I heard my sister's voice from the entrance of the house.
"We have to make her death look like suicide," Ariana said coldly. "You know what Grandpa is like. He would investigate her death, and we need to make sure he doesn't find out anything."
"Of course," Owen replied, his voice equally detached.
I watched as they approached my body, and when they reached it, both of them started laughing.
"Who would have thought she would die like this?" Ariana laughed, kicking my leg. I almost screamed at her. How could she do this to her own sister?
Owen chuckled darkly. "She should have taken the money I offered her and left instead of staying behind, trying to fight us. What a pathetic fool!" He grabbed my hand, lifted it, and dropped it again. "She looks pitiful even in death!"
I clenched my fists as they continued laughing.
"She's been blinded to our love all along," my sister said with a yawn. "I'm tired, baby. Let's dump her body as planned."
Owen nodded and carried my lifeless body toward the car trunk. I shouted at him as they closed it.
"How could you do this to me after everything I did for you?" I screamed. "I was pregnant with your baby, and yet you… you did this!" My hands passed through his body, but I followed him inside the car anyway, my ghostly form drifting beside him.
"Your mother hated me for years, and I endured it because I loved you," I ranted silently. "Yet you slept with my sister. We've been together since college, and I believed you loved me when you proposed. Was it all for the inheritance? Is that why you married me?" I laughed bitterly, burying my face in my hands. "Why did you kill me?" I whispered, tears streaming as he parked beside a secluded road.
We were alone as Owen exited the car, carrying me from the trunk and placing me in front of the driver's seat.
"Now this is perfect," he said, grinning wickedly. "Everyone will think you chose to die on your own."
Another car arrived, headlights on, as Ariana stepped out holding a bottle of fuel.
"We have to burn her to prevent the media and police from asking too many questions," she instructed, handing it to Owen.
"You're a genius, baby!" Owen laughed, pouring the fuel over my body.
"No!" I shouted, rushing toward him, but I passed through him helplessly. "You don't have to burn me! I don't deserve this cruel death!" I continued, desperate to be heard, but my tears would never reach anyone's ears because I was dead. "How could you do this to me?" I screamed as I followed him.
This was my fate. Murdered by my sister, whom I trusted, and my husband, whom I loved with all my heart. A cruel, unimaginable fate.
I watched as Owen set the car ablaze, the flames devouring my body. They stood there, watching, emotionless. Their greed had driven them to this.
"That should do it," Ariana muttered, embracing Owen. "Finally, the company will be ours."
"I love you, baby," Owen whispered, kissing her.
"I love you too," she returned the kiss, indifferent to the fire consuming my body.
I clenched my fists in anger as they drove away, leaving me to burn. All of this was their fault. They had caused my death, and yet, they lied to everyone.
Eventually, I blacked out. When I opened my eyes, I was standing in the middle of the road, a giant billboard displaying news about me. My face was plastered across the headline:
"Billionaire Heiress Ashley Hamilton Commits Suicide After Alleged Affair With Secret Lover. She Set Herself on Fire. Body Found on Randiok Road."
I gasped, hands covering my mouth. This was the world's belief. No one knew the truth.
I drifted closer to the funeral home and watched my father stand before my displayed picture, surrounded by reporters.
"Is it true your daughter had a lover?"
"Is she really your daughter?"
"Who is the lover?"
I observed silently, heartbroken. Only my grandfather seemed to care.
"I was murdered," I whispered, tears flowing as the car with my grandfather drove away.
Outside, I heard someone comment: "I must say, the story about her affair is believable."
I rushed out to see my sister and Owen walking away, smiling.
"They all believed us," Owen laughed. "She's gone from our lives. Goodbye, Ashley!"
"Let's go celebrate, baby!" Ariana cheered, grabbing his hand.
I clenched my fists. They had won again. But just as I started to leave, someone passed through me.
I turned and saw him: the man from the hospital elevator.
"I am sorry I was late, Ashley," he muttered. "I should have stayed with you back then."
He had remembered my name, though I had never given it to him. Curious, I watched him bow to my picture before chuckling and turning to leave.
"We never got to talk, but I had always admired your courage. When you are reborn into your next life, I hope you won't suffer such a terrible fate," he said, walking out of the room.
I wanted to follow, but an invisible wall held me back.
"Why!" I shouted, and suddenly, a bright light struck my chest, blinding me. I fell to the ground, groaning in pain, gasping as I reached forward.
"Just once… I wish to be reborn!" I muttered, closing my eyes, praying for a miracle.
I wished I could return and make them pay for everything.