At My Dad’s Funeral, My Stepmom Leaned In for a Final Kiss and Saw Him Blink

But I leaned close and whispered.

He didn’t respond. But I knew he’d heard me.

Twenty minutes later, the service began. Veronica gave her performance.

Then she walked to the casket, lily in hand, playing her final scene.

She leaned in. I coughed. Dad got the message and blinked.

Veronica’s scream cut through the silence like a knife.

People jumped to their feet. Someone shouted. Veronica stumbled backward, her perfect mask shattering.

Dad’s eyes opened fully.

He coughed and sat up slowly.

“Ella?” Veronica rasped, looking at me. “What’s happening?”

I helped Dad out of the casket, my arm around his shoulders.

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