She Woke Up at Her Own Funeral and Grabbed His Hand

Chapter 1 - The Hand That Refused To Let Go

Daniel held Anna's left hand over the white lining of the coffin.

For three days, everyone had told Ellie that her mother was gone.

The six-year-old had cried until her eyes were swollen. She had spent most of the funeral standing on a small platform beside the coffin, kissing Anna's hand and whispering things no one else could hear.

Daniel touched the gold wedding ring.

He twisted it.

Ellie immediately grabbed his wrist.

"Daddy, stop!"

Daniel looked down at her.

"Ellie."

"Mommy never takes it off."

His expression did not soften.

"I need that ring."

He pulled Ellie's hand away and reached for the ring again.

That was when Anna moved.

Her fingers suddenly closed around Daniel's hand.

Daniel froze.

He tried to pull back.

Anna's grip tightened.

Then her chest rose sharply.

She dragged in a breath.

Her eyes opened.

Ellie's crying stopped.

"Mommy?"

For one beautiful second, the little girl smiled.

Daniel did not.

All the color disappeared from his face.

He stared at Anna as though a dead woman had just returned specifically to accuse him.

Anna looked directly at him.

Her fingers remained locked around his wrist.

Daniel stopped struggling.

Then he leaned over the coffin, blocking the relatives behind him from seeing Anna's face.

His voice was barely louder than a breath.

"Think about your daughter."

Anna's eyes changed.

She looked toward Ellie.

Anna understood immediately.

Daniel was not shocked that she was alive.

He was afraid.

Because he already knew why she had been inside that coffin.

And if Anna spoke too soon, Ellie would be next.