Chapter One
Amanda looked at herself in the full-length bedroom mirror. She hated this dress. It made her look even shorter than she really was, and in return, she looked chubbier.
But sadly, her options were pretty limited when it came to simple black dresses.
Her wardrobe was usually pretty colorful.
Amanda liked vivid colors, patterns, and flowers, especially in tones that could compliment her red hair. But that was not an option today.
So here she was, checking herself out, despite the fact that she wanted to put some color on herself, which was a strange thing to think about considering where she was going.
A part of her knew she was doing this simply to occupy her mind, but she didn't care.
Her nerves were already frayed as was.
Abandoning her reflection in search of some shoes, she managed to jab her pinkie on the edge of the bed.
Muttering to herself how much she regretted insisting on a metal frame, she entered the closet.
While she rummaged through it, a strand of her hair fell out of her bun. A second strand followed, and pretty soon she looked like a madwoman.
"Can't I do anything right today?" she asked herself in exasperation.
Amanda's unruly red hair preferred to be free, so her handiwork was messy at best. Nevertheless, she put in an effort to fix it.
After putting a pair of simple black flats on, she went to her vanity table, grabbed a handful of bobby pins, and started sticking them in randomly in hopes to make her bun more secure.
Checking the time left her with a sense of urgency.
"Honey?" Amanda called out to her husband, who was still in the bathroom, hopefully getting ready as well.
"In a sec," came a muffled response.
"I'll wait for you downstairs, we have to go," she prompted.
While putting on a pair of earrings, she waited for a reply.
"Jacob?" she urged when she didn't get one.
"Ok."
Descending to collect her purse and wait by the door, Amanda couldn't help but worry about him.
Truth be told, Jacob was never that close with his family, and had a strange, almost forced relationship with his father.
But when a person lost a family member, even an estranged one, it could really shake said person to the core.
And Amanda was worried what the loss of a father he wasn't especially close to would do to Jacob.
Amanda's husband already had some problems and she feared this would push him over the edge.
Or maybe it already has, came a strange thought, but she banished it immediately.
The thing was, Jacob's father's death was very abrupt.
Andrew Corey was a 68-year-old attorney who was still on top of his game when he passed.
He wasn't previously ill or showing any signs of slowing down.
He didn't even want to retire.
So this was a huge blow not just to his family, but to the whole community as well.
Jacob came down the stairs while she pondered all that, in a suit he probably wore only a couple of times before. And in the same situations. Like Amanda, Jacob preferred casual clothes, much to his parent's disdain, so they both had to really reach to the back of their closet for these.
Amanda was slightly surprised he chose to wear his funeral suit instead of one of the more fancy ones her mom bought him, but Amanda wasn't about to comment on it.
As far as she was concerned, he could wear whatever the hell he wanted because this was difficult enough already.
She just hoped his mother wouldn't fuss about it.
Jacob looked up with a frown so deep it made him look much older than 32. He had barely spoken to her since his mother called them two days ago to share the tragic news.
Jacob suffered from mood swings, but this still felt different. At times he seemed aloof, going on long walks by himself, not answering his phone when she called, and at other times, he acted like everything was fine, going about his business as if he didn't have a care in the world. And then there were times he forgot about whole conversations they’d had.
So Amanda didn't know how to help him surpass this.
Both her parents were alive and well, thank the heavens, so she really didn't know what to say or how to act to show him she was there for him.
"Are you alright?" Amanda asked him, feeling stupid for even uttering that question.
"Fine," he replied simply. "Just want to get this over with," he added as an afterthought.
She offered a small smile in return and raised her hands as if to hug him, but he stepped back. And the gesture would have hurt except for the fact that he took her hand and kissed the knuckle where her wedding ring was before he entwined their fingers together. Amanda gave it a little squeeze, silently offering her support and strength.
And it was his turn to smile for the briefest of moments.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "Let's go," and with that, they stepped outside. Amanda locked the door, having a strange feeling that she was leaving her sanctuary, her safe haven, only to step into the lion's den.
The weather was ghastly, overcast and chilly for this time of the year, so Amanda chose to put her coat on while Jacob preferred to go without.
The ride to the cemetery was quiet, neither one of them really in the mood for chit-chat.
Most of the family was already there when they arrived so they immediately took their seats.
Jacob kissed his mother's cheek before sitting down, and Amanda hugged the woman, offering her condolences before doing the same.
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Melinda, he will be missed," she recited even though the words felt hollow to her.
And immediately felt guilty because of it.
Yes, she was never close with the man, but he was Jacob's father nevertheless.
"Thank you, dear," Melinda replied in return, giving her a little pat.
Looking around, Amanda wasn't surprised to see how many people had shown up to pay their respects.
Jacob's dad was not only one of the most successful attorneys in the city (alongside his wife), but also a true pillar of the community since the Corey’s were involved in numerous charities.
They even hosted an annual ball for the children's hospital.
So it was understandable that a lot of people were affected by this and felt it as their personal loss.
"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. ..." The priest spoke calmly, but Amanda was only half listening.
She still couldn't believe this was happening even though she was looking at the casket. The family chose not to have a wake, but simply gather at the Corey's estate after the funeral.
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on...." the priest continued to pray. “...they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
Shortly after that, the service ended, and the gathered slowly walked over the wet grass toward their parked cars, but not Jacob. He continued to look at the pit, as the workers started to fully bury the casket.
And Amanda quietly stayed by his side.
It started to drizzle at some point, but it was as if he didn't even notice. Given the circumstances, Amanda was naturally worried about him, but today even her anxiety levels spiked up.
Jacob was acting strange, even more than usual, and she felt powerless to help him.
"Jacob?" She tried to catch his attention, slowly squeezing his arm, and he jerked as if startled.
She looked at the dark clouds above.
"It's raining," he stated with a frown, then looked at her. "Let's get out of this weather."
Amanda simply nodded.
As they walked, Amanda couldn't shake the priest's words.
They will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them, she repeated to herself, wondering what kind of deeds Andrew Corey left behind after himself.
Undoubtedly, he did a lot of good, helped a vast number of people either through his work or charity, but looking at Jacob, she couldn't help but wonder what kinds of scars he left behind as well.
She tried to talk with Jacob a few times in the past, especially when they were newlyweds, but Jacob would get angry, so she stopped asking questions and accepted the state of things inside his family.
Jacob's parents lived in a mansion just on the outskirts of Long Island, where all the people of means liked to reside. Not the nouveau riche types, but old money people, the legacies, the heirs of empires.
Jacob's father came from a family that first made their fortune building railroads all over the US. And even though they ventured to other businesses like developing and real estate, the wealth only accumulated over time.
And Jacob's mother came from a well-respected British family that was related to the royal family.
Amanda wasn't sure about their history but learned from a few relatives who liked to gossip that when Melinda married Andrew, she brought a small fortune as a wedding gift. They were a true match in every sentence, and one of those power couples that were easily recognizable in high society.
So, to say Jacob came with a certain pedigree would be an understatement.
Their dating had been frowned upon and Amanda had been highly intimidated learning the truth about Jacob since both her parents were hard working middle-class folks.
But Jacob looked nothing like the other rich snobs she’d had the pleasure of encountering in college, so she got over it.
Besides, Amanda and Jacob both had regular jobs. Jacob was a computer programmer and Amanda a herpetologist that owned a small pet shop with her best friend. And it was the only one in NY that bred blue tongue skinks, a fact she was very proud of.
They never depended on his parents' money, and that was just the way they preferred it. The only concession they ever made was taking a loan from his mother to buy their small house when they were newlyweds.
Melinda wanted it to be a gift, but both Jacob and Amanda were adamant to pay her back, and they did.
Jacob managed to park in the backyard of his childhood home that was already packed with cars while Amanda looked at the house through the window.
The rain only intensified as they rushed toward the entrance.
Amanda could count on one hand how many times she’d visited this place. It was breathtakingly beautiful in all its grandeur without being over the top, which was precisely the point the architect was trying to make. Or so she thought.
But stepping inside, she was once again reminded how she could never imagine this place feeling like a home to her. And she knew for a fact that Jacob felt the same way, which saddened her.
Even though it was perfect on the inside as much as it was from the outside with expensive yet tasteful furniture and art that was scattered all around, there was still something missing.
Warmth, Amanda thought.
The place was perfect in every way, but cold.
This time, the mansion was full of mingling people who spoke among themselves in hushed voices out of respect or fear as if the dead would follow them here otherwise.
Amanda looked for familiar faces as Jacob took her coat from her to put it away.
"I'm getting a drink, you want one?" he asked.
Amanda simply shook her head. As he went away, Amanda proceeded toward the living room and managed to spot Melinda.
She was standing by a fireplace conversing with another partner from her firm, Mr. Richardson. Amanda recognized him.
Melinda was a complete image of grace while they spoke. She was breathtakingly beautiful, statuesque, dressed in an elegant black dress that was paired with a pearl necklace. Her hair was professionally done and her makeup flawless.
And even though she had some work done when she entered a certain age, it only enhanced her natural beauty.
Every once in a while, someone would approach her to offer his or her condolences and she would politely reply.
Amanda admired her strength immensely.
Melinda gestured for her to approach once she spotted her.
Amanda greeted Mr. Richardson.
"Where is Jacob?" Melinda wanted to know.
"He went to get himself a drink," Amanda replied, which made Melinda frown.
Actually, that wasn't what was shown on her smooth face, but there was a slight tilt of her lips that showed she was perplexed.
And Amanda instantly understood why.
There were servers everywhere weaving through the guests, offering food and drinks.
Maybe he simply wanted to be alone for a bit, Amanda thought.
"Do you need him for something important?" she asked instead.
Melinda waved with her hand. "We'll have a reading of the will tomorrow," Melinda started to explain. "William is the executor and I want you and Jacob here for it."
"Oh, alright," Amanda replied, a bit surprised. "At what time?"
Melinda looked at Mr. Richardson. "Two p.m."
Amanda nodded in agreement. "We'll be here."
She turned to leave but Melinda's comment kept her in place.
"You look lovely in that dress, Amanda. It was Andrew's favorite, you know."
That left Amanda with a strange feeling inside her stomach for some reason, but she mumbled something in return before excusing herself.
Luckily, she saw a familiar face and dashed toward it.
"Hi, Dad," Amanda said, feeling relieved he was there. His presence made this whole experience a little more tolerable.
"Hi, honey," her father, Carl Braxton, replied, giving her one of his famous hugs.
"How are you?"
Amanda shrugged, shaking her head. She couldn't put into words how she felt about all of this. Yes, she was stunned and saddened, but most of all she was concerned about Jacob. "I'm still in disbelief, I guess," she replied eventually.
"Yes, me too," he replied, but by the way he was looking at her, she knew there was something else he wanted to say.
"But it makes you wonder too, right?" he continued, proving her right.
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