Okay, am I the only one who thinks this is just the prelude to a much longer, much darker story?
Going where exactly? We can debate whether the ending was happy or not (though I think that's sort of the wrong way to put it), but I find it hard to see this story as a prelude to anything.
One or more of the following (and possibly some others):
1. Ghost possesses boyfriend and cycle begins anew. This is where I thought the story was going itself, so the thought was still in my mind at the end and the story did not convince me that it is impossible.
The story definitely doesn't rule it out, in that same way that, say, Star Wars doesn't rule out Han Solo dying from a peanut allergy two minutes after the end of Revenge of the Jedi, but there's no indication that the ghost can possess anyone, so I wouldn't say it's supported by the story either.
2. Cory's relationships get worse and worse as she plays out her exhibitionist revenge fantasy with her ghosty nemesis.
Possible, but this one goes directly against Cory's actions and words in the story. Especially since her revenge fantasy is "I'm going to have a good relationship where you can see it". It's possible that she's not as self aware as she thinks, but I don't think the story gives us any overt reason to question its narrative to this degree.
3. Cory eventually goes insane. Just because the ghost may not be able to physically harm her doesn't mean it can't affect her.
This is the most likely of the three, in my opinion. It goes against my own reading, but unlike the other two, it doesn't rely on introducing a new ghostly power or mistrusting everything Cory says, it only relies on the idea that Cory overestimates her ability to control the situation. Which I do think is consistent with the story, and supported by at least some of it (like the conversation with her mother).
However, I don't think the story actually suggests any follow-up of this nature. I think it compatible with one, but it still needs to be supplied by the reader. Which makes me still resistant to calling it a "just the prelude" to anything.
Also, as I hinted on in the last reply, I think the question of Cory's fate after the story ends is the wrong one. To me, the more interesting question this story raises is: "Cory murdered her abuser, hid his body, and now subjugated his ghost. Did she have the right to do that? Did the husband deserve his fate? What sort of person does that make Cory?" Giving the story the holywood horror sequel treatment ("you thought it was all ok, but...") just seems like a very superficial approach.
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