Digging up My Bones (Kristen and Samuel) novel Chapter 1

By the third year after my death, my son and I were still wandering ghosts. Because of our deep ties to this world, we couldn't pass on from here.

Meanwhile, my husband, Samuel Hoffman, had clawed his way up from the bottom of society. He had transformed into the most up-and-coming new star in the business world.

I had betrayed him without hesitation during his most desperate times. So, he hated me. He hated me so much that he would skin me alive.

Three years ago, he had forced me to donate my bone marrow to his childhood sweetheart, Violet Sampson. At that time, I had been deathly sick.

Bone marrow aspiration was an invasive procedure. I didn't know if it was a botched operation or if my low immunity due to my inherent illness was to blame, but I suffered a severe systemic infection a week after the procedure. I then fell into a fever-induced coma and died at home.

My three-year-old son, Toby Hoffman, was left uncared for. Eventually, he died by my side.

In all those three years, Samuel never visited us—not even once. He didn't make a single phone call.

While holding Toby's little hand, I floated in the air. I watched as Samuel kicked at the front gate of the small house that I used to live in.

We hadn't seen each other in three years, and he had changed a lot. His expression was cold and merciless. It felt so familiar yet so oddly strange.

Behind him stood Violet, who was dressed extravagantly and wearing a face mask. Her complexion was rosy, and her figure perfectly proportioned. She didn't look like someone who was terminally ill at all.

Toby listened to the grating noise of the door being kicked and hid in my arms in fear. He looked up at me. His bright eyes were filled with a mix of excitement and fear.

"Mommy, has Daddy finally remembered us? He hasn't come to see us for such a long, long time. But he seems angry. Did I upset him? And who is that lady standing there?" Toby asked a series of questions.

I patted his head softly. My heart ached like a knife had cut through it. My throat felt constricted, and I couldn't utter a word.

"Kristen! Get out here right now! Stop playing dead inside!" Samuel shouted hoarsely into the courtyard.

The commotion startled Jessie Vance, who lived next door.