CHAPTER 2 — The Woman Everyone Buried While She Was Still Alive The showroom fell into a silence so complete that even the security alarms seemed distant. The manager's face lost every trace of color. "I... I never—" "Don't lie." The old man's voice was calm, but it carried enough weight to stop her cold. He looked back at the boy. "Take me to your mother." The child hesitated before nodding. Without another word, he led them toward the parking lot. Dozens of curious shoppers followed. Even the rich woman who had mocked him moments earlier quietly slipped into the crowd, no longer eager to speak. Outside, an aging silver sedan sat beneath the afternoon sun. Its paint was faded. One headlight was cracked. Inside, a woman leaned weakly against the passenger seat with a blanket over her legs. She looked no older than forty. But illness had stolen years from her face. Her once-bright blonde hair had thinned. Dark circles rested beneath tired blue eyes. When she saw the elderly man approaching, every muscle in her body froze. The old man stopped walking. His cane slipped from his hand. "...Anna?" The woman closed her eyes. "I knew this day would come." His knees nearly gave out. "You... you're alive." Tears filled his eyes. "For twenty years..." "You buried me long before today," Anna answered quietly. The words hit harder than any accusation. The manager stood several feet behind him, unable to breathe. Anna looked directly at her. "You told everyone I stole money." "You told my father I disappeared." "You told the board I abandoned my family." The manager's lips trembled. "I was told to." The old man slowly turned. "What?" She lowered her head. "It wasn't my decision." "Then whose was it?" She didn't answer. Instead... Someone behind the crowd quietly began walking away. The rich woman. Anna noticed first. "Don't let her leave."

2 chapters