At that moment, a sudden gasp rippled through the crowd as a faint, almost imperceptible sound emanated from within the coffin—a soft rustling, a subtle shifting. Those nearest to the coffin instinctively took a step back, eyes wide with disbelief. The funeral director hesitated, his hand hovering above the polished wood as if uncertain whether to proceed.
“Daddy?” the little girl called again, her voice softer now, tinged with hope and fear. Her mother pulled her slightly closer, her own confusion and dread mirrored in her eyes.
