Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74123 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74123 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“I understand.”
Paisley looked over her shoulder. “Why are we the only two people here? Where is her family? Where’s her husband?”
Ethan had been so caught up in his grief at seeing Amina’s body that he didn’t give that a thought. Before he could answer, he was interrupted.
“Ugh, how long do we have to stay here? No one is going to show up to see her lame ass.”
Ethan and Paisley turned simultaneously to see Mark saunter in with a large soda and a bag from a fast-food restaurant. A woman with waist length multi-colored braids, and a tiny black dress that barely covered her breasts and ass, followed behind him.
He assumed she was the owner of the voice.
The pair halted when they noticed him and Paisley staring at them.
Mark’s lips firmed to a thin disapproving line before he squared his shoulders and approached them. “Well, well, well. I didn’t expect you to show up, but you were always fond of Amina weren’t you? When she worked for you, it was always Dr. Han this, and Dr. Han that. Didn’t think the next time you saw her would be in a casket did you?”
The woman behind him snickered. “Mark, be nice. These people are obviously here to pay their respects.” She maneuvered her way around Mark and held out her hand to Ethan. “Did I hear him say doctor? I’m Amina’s cousin, Candace. I can’t thank you enough for coming to pay your respects to our dear Amina. Her death came as a surprise to us all.”
As she spoke, she pushed her chest forward, to the point where Ethan thought her boobs would spill out.
The instant distaste he felt for this woman made the rage that had been simmering below the surface bubble to the top. He stared pointedly at her hand until she lowered it.
A deep red colored Candace’s golden-brown cheeks. “Well, excuse you.”
“There’s no need to be rude, my guy.” Mark walked next to Candace and placed his arm around her shoulders in a comforting gesture.
“So you two just happened to go out during your wife’s viewing?” Ethan asked with clenched teeth.
“No one was here. We went to the place across the street to pick up some food. What’s the big deal?” Mark shrugged as if he wasn’t standing in front of Amina’s dead body.
“The big deal is, your wife is no longer alive and neither you nor her….” Ethan gave Candace a sweeping look from head to toe. “Cousin here don’t seem very bereaved. In fact, it sounds like the two of you can’t wait to get this thing over with. Amina deserved so much better than a piece of garbage like you.”
Mark dropped his arm from around Candace and got in Ethan face. He tilted his head back until their eyes met, and noses were only inches away. “What the fuck did you just say?”
The contempt he had for this man ran deeper than the Grand Canyon. He refused to be intimidated by this low life piece of shit who only went after people who were physically weaker than him. “You heard me just fine, but a coward like you isn’t going to do anything about it because I’m not a women and I’m not afraid of you.”
“Oh, I know you’re not going to let this guy talk to you like that.” Candace burst out laughing.
Mark flared his nostrils and snarled as he raised his fist, sending it directly toward Ethan’s chin.
Ethan easily caught Mark’s fist in his palm and drove his own fist into the other man’s midsection.
The other man doubled over with a loud gasp before collapsing to the floor, clutching his stomach.
“Oh my God!” Paisley call out.
“Damn!” Candace sounded mildly impressed.
Ethan debated kicking Mark as he writhed on the ground, but the funeral director chose that moment to enter the room. “What’s going on in here?” He ran over to Mark who was still writhing on the floor and groaning.
Ethan looked down at Mark, daring him to get up. “He just ran out of hot air. He’ll be fine. Trust me. I’m a doctor.”
He couldn’t bear to spare another glance at Amina’s body. That was no longer her. Ethan wanted to remember her smile, and kindness and the gentle warmth of her eyes.
Besides, seeing her lifeless body would only serve as a reminder of what might have been.
Storming out of the funeral home without looking back, he didn’t notice anyone had followed him until a hand fell on his shoulder. With adrenaline surging through his body he spun on his heel with a balled fist ready to swing.
“Eek!” Paisley backed away with a jump. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to walk up on you like that.”
Ethan took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. That guy just rubs me the wrong way. Even still, my behavior was inappropriate for the setting. I’m sorry you had to see that.”