The Call He Didn't Answer

Synopsis

On our wedding night, I sat alone in our room until the sunrise. Early the next morning, Ethan showed up with a whole box of scratch-off tickets. "Claire, go ahead and scratch them. However much you win, I'll offer the same amount to your dad." I silently accepted the tickets and picked up a coin from the table. Using the coin, I scratched off three tickets in a row. Every single one said: Better luck next time. He leaned against the bed, watching me, then let out a derisive laugh. "Is that all you've got? You sure were acting all fierce when you splashed red wine on Emily yesterday, weren't you?" I stared at the tickets in silence for a moment before saying, "I won't do it again." He was taken aback for a second, then stood up and gently ruffled my hair. "Good. Remember, don't pick on Emily anymore." He pulled out a bank card and lightly patted my cheek. "This is enough to save your dad's company." Tears fell from my eyes. "I don't need it now." He didn't know my dad was already dead. The dead have no use for money.