My Body Was Left Unclaimed for Five Years

Chapter 2 Wendy's Burden

Over the span of five years, Wendy shouldered the weight of numerous challenges.

When Caleb and I had a furious falling-out over Stella, it was Wendy who opened her doors to me, offering a sanctuary of tranquility.

Tragically, it wasn't long before fate had other plans.

When my lifeless body was pulled from the river, it had been a harrowing week, my remains swollen and unrecognizable.

That day mirrored the sorrow of today as Wendy wept inconsolably.

"Sarah, forgive me. I thought you had returned home, which is why you were out of reach. How did it come to this?"

The police officer's brow creased with concern.

"Does the deceased have any relatives? The autopsy report suggests she was attacked before her demise, pointing to suspicious circumstances."

Aghast and pale, Wendy scrambled for her phone.

"Yes, she has a brother. I'll contact him!"

She dialed Caleb repeatedly, each call echoing into silence until, eventually, Caleb answered with irritation, barking, "Tell Sarah not to reach out unless she's ready to admit she was wrong!"

He abruptly ended the call.

Following the police's advice, Wendy ventured to the house.

The housekeeper divulged that Caleb and Stella had embarked on an overseas excursion.

Ultimately, the case lay dormant, leaving my body at the funeral home.

For half a decade, Wendy bore the costs, awaiting the day Caleb and Stella would return from their global escapade.

She longed for the moment when I could finally rest in peace beside our parents, as I had always wished.

Caleb was convinced she was weaving a web of deceit and theatrics around me.

The rain hammered down in sheets, and Wendy spent the night sobbing until dawn, her eyes puffed and bloodshot.

Then she swept her bangs from her face and made her way back.

Arriving home, she moved with a hollow sense towards her bed and retrieved a diary from a drawer.

Swiftly, she packed it up and arranged for a courier to deliver it to Caleb's office.

Watching as the courier disappeared into the horizon, she shut her eyes tight.

"Sarah, this is my last offering."

I drifted towards Caleb's office building.

Inside, Caleb's assistant, Jane, approached him with a package.

"Mr. Sullivan, there's a delivery for you, a diary from Wendy."

Caleb kept his eyes on his papers, rifling through them with speed.

"Read it aloud."

Jane dutifully opened the diary, landing on the first page, and began to read with intent.

"Today, Caleb kicked me out."

As her words hung in the air, the room seemed to chill.

Caleb looked up, a sardonic hint playing in his gaze.

"Trying this stunt? Fascinating. Continue."

Jane obliged, reading at a measured pace,

"Today, Caleb kicked me out after I slapped Stella. She had glimpsed my depression diagnosis and sneered, 'About time! Too bad you didn't die in that earthquake with your parents. Then, Caleb would be mine alone!' I found it ridiculous.

"She's merely a girl backed by Caleb, with no real connection to him or me. What stakes does she have? I let her prattle on, until she messed with my jewelry box. There, she spotted a treasured family photo, destroyed in an instant.

"My slap was spontaneous, but unfortunately, she overpowered me promptly, pinning me down."