Chapter 5 The Insurance

I walked straight into Jesse's office and found Gideon sitting sideways on her lap, holding a grape to her lips.

The door opened so suddenly that he nearly slipped off.

Jesse frowned when she saw me. "Anthony? What are you doing here?"

"Working." I tapped the employee badge around my neck that read, "HarborPoint Insurance."

Then, I smiled at her. "Ms. Knapp, how about helping your ex-husband hit his sales quota?"

Gideon let out a quiet laugh. "Anthony, this is quite the career change."

Jesse's frown deepened. Apparently, having an ex-husband who sold insurance was embarrassing for her too. She asked, "Do you need money? The divorce settlement gives you two properties, plus—"

"I'm thinking long-term," I cut in. "Property isn't a career. It's about time I built something of my own."

She studied me for a few seconds before waving her hand impatiently. "I already have more insurance than I need. I—"

I pulled a contract from my briefcase and placed it on her desk. "This one's different. It's a high-limit accidental death policy. You can name Gideon as the beneficiary, or the two of you could each take out a policy and name each other."

I glanced between them with a smile. "Consider it proof of your undying love."

Gideon's eyes immediately lit up. "Jesse, I actually like that. It's romantic."

Jesse gave him an indulgent look before finally nodding. "Fine. Put Gideon down as the beneficiary."

...

The next five days passed quickly, and before long, New Year's Eve had arrived.

Dominic and Haleigh asked me to return to the Knapp Residence for the celebration.

"Anthony, whatever happened between you and Jesse, we're still a family," he said to me. "At least come spend New Year's with the kids."

I agreed, though celebrating was the last thing on my mind.

I needed to be there when Jesse took her final breath.

At six that evening, Jesse arrived with Gideon clinging tightly to her arm. The two of them were so close they might as well have been attached at the hip.

When she saw me, a trace of guilt crossed her face.

"Gideon's grandpa has stabilized," she told me after a brief hesitation. "Getting remarried might have to wait a little longer."

I calmly took another sip of wine without looking at her. "Do whatever you want. One year or ten years, it makes no difference to me."

Her brows drew together. "Anthony, don't be like that. You've always been understanding."

A humorless laugh escaped me. "Of course I have. I was understanding enough to hand my wife over to another man."

Jesse stiffened, and for once, she had nothing to say.

By half-past eleven, everyone had gathered on the terrace. The staff had prepared fireworks for midnight, and the children raced around excitedly, barely able to contain themselves.

I called all three of them over and kept them close.

A security camera mounted beneath the eaves overlooked the entire terrace, capturing Jesse, Gideon, her parents, the children, and me.

Everything that happened tonight would be recorded. That footage might become important later.

Gideon remained glued to Jesse's side, almost as though he wanted to make sure everyone understood exactly who held the place beside her now.

At one point, he deliberately raised his left hand, letting the diamond on his ring finger catch the light. "Jesse, I swear this ring looks even better in person than it did in the pictures."

Jesse smiled and kissed his fingertips. "I'm glad you like it."

A faint blush spread across Gideon's cheeks before he turned toward me with an innocent smile. "Anthony, I hope you don't mind. It's my first New Year's with the Knapps, so I'm a little nervous."

Nervous? The way his arm tightened around Jesse's waist told a very different story.

The children gradually fell quiet, while across the terrace, Dominic and Haleigh watched them with stony expressions.

Jesse simply pretended not to notice.

Soon, the countdown began, and everyone joined in.

"Ten! Nine! Eight…"

"Three! Two! One!"

I kept my eyes fixed on Jesse the entire time. Even as the final seconds ticked away, she was still smiling.

Then, the first firework burst across the night sky.

"Happy New Year!"

Dozens more followed, lighting up the estate in brilliant flashes as the children cheered excitedly and Dominic and Haleigh forced strained smiles.

Gideon threw his arms around Jesse's neck and kissed her. "Happy New Year, Jesse!"

Jesse laughed and wrapped her arms around him, then her smile suddenly froze. Her right hand flew to her chest, fingers clutching at the fabric of her dress.

"Jesse?"

Gideon pulled back just as the color drained from her face.

She opened her mouth as if she wanted to speak, but no sound came out.

A second later, her knees gave way, and her body went limp, sending her collapsing backward like a puppet with its strings cut.

I stayed where I was, watching her fall.

Then, at that exact moment, the System's voice echoed through my mind. "Mission complete. Lifespan transfer commencing..."