CHAPTER 2 – THE COFFIN OPENS
"Move!"
Emily Carter pulled free from Richard's grasp with surprising strength.
Every guest turned toward the front of the chapel.
"Emily, stop!" Richard shouted.
"It's too late."
Ignoring him, she reached the polished mahogany coffin.
Her trembling fingers lifted one corner of the lid.
"What are you doing?" someone cried.
The funeral director hurried forward.
But before anyone could stop her...
A faint sound came from inside.
Not a voice.
A soft knock.
The chapel fell silent.
Emily froze.
She looked at the funeral director.
"You heard that... didn't you?"
His face turned pale.
Without another word, he unlatched the coffin completely.
As the lid slowly opened, dozens of horrified eyes stared inside.
Jonathan Carter's eyes were open.
Weakly, he moved one hand.
For a moment, no one in the room reacted.
Then chaos erupted.
"Call an ambulance!"
"Get a doctor!"
Several guests rushed forward while medical personnel who had attended the service began checking Jonathan's condition.
Richard quietly stepped backward.
Then another step.
He turned toward the side exit.
"Don't let him leave!" Emily shouted.
Two off-duty police officers attending the funeral intercepted him before he reached the door.
Richard forced a nervous smile.
"This is all a misunderstanding."
No one believed him.
As Jonathan was carefully lifted from the coffin, he reached weakly for Emily's hand.
Tears filled her eyes.
"Dad..."
He squeezed her fingers just enough for her to know one thing.
May you like
He was alive.
And he wanted the truth to be told.
