Chapter 4: The Insurance Policy My Husband Never Told Me About
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Michael sat beside my hospital bed, staring at the photograph Sarah had sent me.
"Explain," I finally whispered.
He rubbed both hands over his face.
"Mom had been pressuring me to change the beneficiary on your life insurance policy.""
I stared at him.
"My life insurance?""
He nodded.
"She said it was better to have everything consolidated. She claimed it would simplify things if something happened during childbirth.""
I felt a chill crawl up my arms.
"And you agreed?""
"No. I never signed anything.""
"Then why was there a document with my name on it?""
Michael looked down.
"That's what I don't understand.""
I reached for the hospital table and pulled the photograph closer.
The envelope Diane had carried downstairs was clearly marked FINAL BENEFICIARY CHANGE.
"Michael, she pushed me while I was eight months pregnant. She kicked my phone away. Then she lied about what happened. And now we discover she was carrying paperwork that could give her access to money if I died.""
He swallowed.
"Emily, I swear I didn't know she was planning something like this.""
"Did you know how much the policy was worth?""
He hesitated.
"Five hundred thousand dollars.""
The room seemed to shrink.
Five hundred thousand dollars.
I had never known my husband had taken out a policy on me for that amount.
"Who was the beneficiary?""
Michael didn't answer.
I already knew.
"Diane?""
He nodded.
I stared at him in disbelief.
"Your mother was supposed to receive half a million dollars if I died?""
"She told me it was temporary.""
"Temporary?""
"She said she'd use the money to pay off the mortgage and establish a trust for Sophie.""
I laughed, but there was no humor in it.
"Your mother was planning to inherit money from a woman she just pushed down the stairs.""
Michael covered his mouth.
"I know how it sounds.""
"It sounds like attempted murder.""
He flinched.
Before he could respond, Detective Bennett returned with another officer.
"Mr. Carter, we need to speak with you.""
Michael stood immediately.
"About what?""
Detective Bennett placed a folder on the bedside table.
"We reviewed the initial footage provided by your neighbor. We've also obtained a copy of the doorbell recording from a second angle.""
"A second angle?"" Michael asked.
"The camera across the street captures part of your front window. It shows your mother entering the house carrying an envelope.""
She opened the folder.
"More importantly, it shows her leaving approximately forty minutes after the ambulance departed.""
I frowned.
"She left?""
"Yes. And she was carrying the same envelope.""
Detective Bennett looked at Michael.
"Do you know where she went?""
"Probably home.""
"Your mother told officers she went directly to her apartment after the incident. However, the camera shows her entering a different property.""
Michael's expression changed.
"Which property?""
Detective Bennett turned a photograph toward us.
It showed a small office building.
"An insurance agency.""
My mouth went dry.
"Why would she go there?""
"We're investigating.""
Michael looked increasingly pale.
Detective Bennett continued.
"There's another issue. The insurance company confirmed that someone contacted them three days ago requesting an expedited beneficiary change.""
I gripped the blanket.
"Who?""
"The request came from an email address registered to your mother-in-law.""
Michael shook his head.
"That's impossible. She doesn't have authorization.""
"That's why we need to establish whether any documents were forged.""
After the officers left, Michael stood by the window for a long time.
Finally, he turned around.
"I need to go home.""
I stared at him.
"Why?""
"There's a safe in my office. The original insurance documents are inside.""
"Don't go alone.""
"I'm not going to confront her. I'll get the documents and come straight back.""
I didn't trust him.
But I knew those papers mattered.
"Call Detective Bennett before you go.""
He nodded.
Then he leaned down and kissed my forehead.
"I love you, Emily.""
I looked at him.
"I need you to understand something. If your mother did this deliberately, I will never allow her near Sophie.""
"I understand.""
He walked toward the door.
Just before leaving, he stopped.
"Emily?""
"What?""
He looked as though he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
Then he finally whispered, "There's something else I haven't told you about that policy.""
My heart dropped.
"What?""
Michael looked toward the hallway.
"Mom wasn't the only person listed on the original paperwork.""
He took a breath.
"Someone changed the policy twice. The first change happened before we got married.""
And the name attached to that earlier document wasn't Diane's.
May you like
It was mine.
But the signature wasn't.
