Sheila stood outside Martin’s house, taking a deep breath before walking toward Sharlene’s home.

“Sharlene,” she called softly as she approached. It was still early—before the wake would fill with visitors again.

Martin followed a few steps behind her. He was Sheila’s boyfriend—but he was also Sharlene’s husband.
And though Sharlene wore the ring, the love between them had long since died. Sheila knew that better than anyone.

Sharlene turned to face them. A faint, tired smile touched her lips.
“Sheila,” she greeted quietly.

Sheila stepped forward and hugged her. “My condolences,” she whispered.

“Thank you,” Sharlene replied, stepping back.

Sharlene’s eyes flicked to Martin, then back to Sheila. “So… you and Martin came together?”

Sheila hesitated. “Ah, yes. I bumped into him at the gate. He said he was stopping by a friend’s house first.”

She tried to sound casual, but something in Sharlene’s gaze made her uneasy—as if the woman already knew the truth.

Sharlene nodded slowly. “I see.” Her eyes lingered on Martin. That faint smile remained, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

“I’m still feeling a little dizzy,” Sharlene said softly, glancing toward the coffin in the living room. “There were so many people last night.”

“You should rest,” Sheila offered, trying to sound sincere.

Sharlene shook her head. “Don’t worry. I managed to sleep a little earlier.”

Just then, a small voice broke the moment.
“Aunt Sheila!”

Sheila turned to see a little girl rushing toward her. “Ashley!” she greeted warmly, bending down to hug her.

The child ran straight into her arms before turning excitedly to Martin. He picked her up, smiling fondly.

“Ashley,” someone called.

Tashia appeared from the kitchen doorway. Her gaze flicked briefly toward Sheila and Martin, her expression unreadable.

“Come on, let’s eat. I’ll take you home after,” Tashia said, taking Ashley’s hand.

Ashley nodded, waving goodbye. Before walking off, Tashia glanced once more at Sheila and Martin—her eyes sharp with quiet knowing.
“Sis, breakfast is ready,” she told Sharlene before leading Ashley away.

Sharlene’s lips curved faintly. “If you’re not in a hurry, why don’t you join us for breakfast?”

Martin cleared his throat. “Ah, we’d love to, but we still have some work to finish at the office.”

Sheila nodded quickly. “Yes, the manager’s been calling me. Sorry, Sharlene—we’ll visit again once things calm down.”

“I understand,” Sharlene said softly. “Take care, both of you.”

“Thank you. Again, my condolences,” Sheila said.

“Thank you,” Sharlene murmured. Her eyes lingered on them for a moment longer.
“At least you know I’m grieving. Too bad my own husband doesn’t.”

The chill in her tone froze Sheila in place.

“Sharlene…” Martin started, sighing. “I’ve just been busy. I’ll come home early today, I promise.”

“To help?” Sharlene gave a bitter laugh. “Don’t bother. It’s embarrassing at this point.”

Then, her expression shifted—her eyes turning dark, cold.

“Tell me, Sheila,” she said softly. “Do you believe in karma?”

A sudden draft swept through the room, cold enough to raise goosebumps on Sheila’s skin.

Sharlene bowed her head, then lifted it slowly. Blood trickled down her face. Her smile was wrong—too wide, too knowing.

Sheila’s breath hitched.

“Sharlene?”

The woman’s voice deepened, distorted. “Karma will come for you, Sheila.”

Her steps were slow, deliberate, closing the space between them.

“Don’t you recognize me anymore?” she whispered against Sheila’s ear. “You will… soon, my dear.”

Sheila gasped and stumbled back.

And suddenly—everything was normal again.
Sharlene stood before her, calm and composed, as if nothing had happened.

Sheila could only stare, her pulse hammering in her throat.

“I—uh—we should go,” she said quickly, her voice trembling.

Martin followed her out.

As Sheila opened the car door, she caught something in the corner of her eye.

Sharlene—floating slightly above the ground. Mud and blood dripping from her feet.

Sheila slammed the door shut, shaking.

Am I going crazy?

“Are you okay?” Martin asked, frowning in concern.

She nodded weakly. “She’s… scaring me. I think she might threaten me.”

Martin sighed. “Don’t worry. She’s not that type. She’s all talk—she loves her job too much to risk anything.”

“She’s… a coward?” Sheila asked quietly.

“Exactly,” he said, giving a short laugh.

Sheila forced a smile, though her hands wouldn’t stop trembling.

They drove in silence. The tension between them thickened until Sheila broke it.

“Hey… honey,” she said softly.

Martin glanced at her. “Yeah?”

“Don’t we have… other things to do?” she asked, giving him a meaningful look.

He smirked. “Here I am worried about you, and you’re already teasing me again.”

“Why? You don’t want to?” she whispered, a faint smile on her lips.

He turned into a quiet, empty parking lot. “You know I can never say no to you.”

Moments later, the car windows fogged. Passion drowned out fear—at least for a while.

But when Sheila glanced at the rearview mirror—her breath caught.

A woman was watching them.

No face. Just a dark, grinning presence.

Her heart pounded. She blinked once—twice. The figure was still there, smiling.

Then came the knocking. Loud. Persistent. From outside the car.

Martin didn’t seem to hear it.

When it finally stopped, the silence felt heavier than before.

They hurriedly fixed their clothes. Sheila’s hands trembled as she stepped out.

No one was there.

But on the car door—something red. A bloody handprint.

And beneath it, a message scrawled in dripping crimson:

Karma will approach you.

She blinked. It was gone.

But the fear remained.