Chapter 4 - THE PLAN THAT NEEDED ME GONE:
I didn't speak.
Olivia's words hung between us.
“I think they planned for you to die.”
“Why?”
“Because they talked about insurance.”
My stomach turned.
“What insurance?”
“Your life insurance.”
I closed my eyes.
My policy was substantial.
But not enough to explain everything.
“Who talked about it?”
“Daniel's mother.”
“When?”
“The night before the wedding.”
“What did she say?”
“She said Daniel would be free once you were gone.”
The word free made my skin crawl.
“Did Daniel know?”
“I don't know.”
“Did he say anything?”
“He didn't hear that conversation.”
“Where was he?”
“Downstairs.”
I believed her.
But belief wasn't evidence.
“I need everything.”
“I'll send you the messages.”
She did.
Then Margaret called.
“I've read the files.”
“And?”
“Olivia was telling the truth.”
“How do you know?”
“The policy was recently updated.”
My blood froze.
“When?”
“Three weeks ago.”
“I didn't update it.”
“Exactly.”
“Who did?”
“The change was requested through your financial adviser.”
My financial adviser.
The one Daniel had recommended.
I stared at my computer.
Everything suddenly connected.
The forged documents.
The trust.
The insurance.
The shell companies.
The Vegas wedding.
Daniel hadn't simply wanted a new wife.
He had needed me legally separated before he could access certain assets.
And if I died afterward—
he expected to benefit.
But there was another problem.
The beneficiary had been changed.
Not to Daniel.
To Carter Family Holdings.
I stared.
“That doesn't make sense.”
Margaret was silent.
Then:
“It does if Daniel isn't the mastermind.”
I felt cold.
“Who is?”
“We need to investigate.”
I hated hearing that phrase.
It always meant the answer would be worse.
Meanwhile, Daniel arrived home.
He entered our house at 8:40 p.m.
He called my name.
“Claire?”
I stayed in my office.
He walked upstairs.
“Baby?”
I opened the door.
He smiled.
Then saw my face.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
He stepped closer.
“You seem upset.”
“I had a long night.”
He leaned in.
I stepped back.
He noticed.
“What is this?”
“Nothing.”
He stared.
“You're acting strange.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
I smiled.
“Maybe I'm tired.”
He frowned.
“You're hiding something.”
I almost laughed.
“That is ironic.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
He walked toward me.
“Did someone contact you?”
“No.”
“Did my mother call?”
“No.”
“Did you talk to Olivia?”
I stopped.
His face changed.
He knew.
I looked at him.
“How do you know Olivia contacted me?”
He didn't answer.
That was enough.
“Daniel.”
He looked away.
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“No.”
He stepped forward.
“You don't know what my family is dealing with.”
“I know what you married her for.”
His face went pale.
“Who told you?”
“Olivia.”
He sat down.
For the first time, he looked exhausted.
“I never wanted this.”
I stared.
“Then why did you do it?”
“My mother told me I had no choice.”
“You're a grown man.”
“I know.”
“Then you chose.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
The answer was devastatingly simple.
I waited.
“What exactly did your mother tell you?”
He swallowed.
“She said if I didn't cooperate, she'd destroy my sister.”
I froze.
“You have a sister?”
“She lives abroad.”
“Why would your mother threaten her?”
“Because my sister knows what they did.”
“To whom?”
He looked at me.
“To your grandmother.”
My blood ran cold.
“What did they do?”
May you like
Daniel whispered:
“They murdered her.”
