Death Becomes Her: Finale, Escaping the Dead

The Miller sisters silently packed their things to leave. They chose to go with Melly, even Ashlin who stood to gain so much more by staying. The doctor insisted they take all the clothes and things he’d provided for them, having no use for them himself. Melly was grateful, as it was one less thing to worry about when they were trying to make new lives for themselves, but the weight she carried deep inside would not be lessened with distance.
As they set off, Melly did not want to return to their tiny, dilapidated hovel near the graveyard, though there were things they needed to gather there before they could move from the city forever. The girls trundled along behind her, thick shoes on their feet and heavy, warm cloaks keeping the biting winter chill from their bodies.
“Melly,” she heard Ashlin whisper at her side, “I’m sorry David turned us out.”
Melly heard tears trembling on the words and she felt her chest constrict. “You could have stayed, love,” she murmured, careful to keep her voice low. “Doctor Melbourne would continue your education. You could be a doctor yourself someday.” They both knew how unlikely that was, but at David’s side, Ashlin would at least be allowed to practice the art she loved so well.
“I could not let you leave alone,” Ashlin retorted.
Melly laughed, a hint of actual mirth in the sound. “Hardly alone, love. Do you think the others would have stayed as well?”
Ashlin nodded. “I do. Had I chosen to stay, the twins would have as well, finding much satisfaction in the lives they have made for themselves with Melbourne.” Her gaze lingered on the stout girls, Melly’s eyes following. Ashlin then glanced at Belinda. “David managed to talk some sense into Belinda’s head and she gave her footman his marching orders. Her new beau is far more pleasing.” Her gaze slid to Sadie. “I need not tell you that Sadie’s heart remained back there, though she’d deny that if you asked.”
Melly’s heart sank with every word her sister uttered. She’d destroyed her sisters’ chances at happiness, true happiness. Desperate, grasping for anything to heal a portion of her guilt and anguish, she asked, “But you would like to marry, would you not, Ashlin? We would all like to marry. One day.” Though she doubted she’d find a man who would overlook her past, considering a man she loved, who loved her, couldn’t overlook it.

Read the entire installment of this riveting story in the June/July double issue of InD'Tale magazine.

Previous installments can be read in issues starting May 2013

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