Chapter 5

I pushed open the door to Abigail's office.

Dwayne was feeding her grapes, mouth to mouth. He nearly stumbled back in shock when the door opened.

Abigail frowned.

"Brett? What are you doing here?"

"Working."

I gave the badge on my chest a little shake. It read Concord Insurance.

"Ms. Balmer, care to support your ex-husband's sales numbers?"

Dwayne let out a scornful laugh.

"Brett, wow. You've really changed."

Abigail's frown deepened. Clearly, having a washed-up ex made her lose face too.

"Are you short on money? The divorce settlement gave you two properties, plus..."

"I'm thinking long-term." I cut her off. "A house isn't something you can eat."

Abigail studied me for a few seconds, then waved a hand, impatient.

"I have enough insurance already. I don't need..."

I pulled a contract out and set it on the desk.

"This is accident insurance. The high-value kind.

"You could name Dwayne as your beneficiary, or you two could buy policies naming each other, as a token of your love."

Dwayne's eyes lit up.

"Abigail, that's a beautiful idea."

Abigail gave him a doting look, then finally nodded.

"Fine. Put Dwayne down as the beneficiary."

Before I knew it, New Year's Eve had arrived, and Russell and Marilyn called me home.

"Brett, the family should be together. Come spend it with the kids."

I agreed. I needed to be there to witness the final moment of Abigail's life anyway.

At six in the evening, Abigail came in with Dwayne in tow, clinging to her like conjoined twins.

She glanced at me, a flicker of guilt in her eyes.

"Dwayne's grandfather has stabilized. The remarriage might have to wait a bit longer."

I kept my eyes on my tea and didn't look at her.

"Whatever you want. A year, ten years, it's your business."

She frowned, displeased.

"Brett, don't be like this. You've always been so generous."

I laughed, cold and mocking.

"Haven't I? Generous enough to hand my own wife over to another man."

She went silent, unable to find a response.

At eleven thirty, everyone gathered on the terrace. The staff had set up fireworks, and the children ran around, giddy with excitement.

I called the three kids over to my side.

A security camera sat under the eaves, angled to catch the whole terrace, every single person on it.

I wanted that footage.

Dwayne stayed glued to Abigail the entire time. Russell and Marilyn sat off to the side, their faces tight with anger.

The countdown began. Everyone shouted together.

"Ten, nine, eight. Three, two, one."

I kept my eyes fixed on Abigail.

In those last few seconds, she was still smiling.

In the final second, the first firework burst open in the distant sky.

"Zero! Happy New Year!"

A thousand fireworks bloomed across the sky at once, lighting up the night like broad daylight.

The children screamed with joy. Russell and Marilyn managed weak smiles.

Dwayne wrapped his arms around Abigail's neck and kissed her.

"Abigail, happy New Year!"

Abigail laughed and pulled him closer. Then, all at once, her smile froze. Her right hand shot up to clutch her chest, fingers curling tight.

"Abigail?"

Dwayne sensed something was wrong.

Abigail's mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Then her knees buckled, and she fell straight backward, like a puppet with its strings cut.

The System's voice sounded in my mind.

"Mission complete. Lifespan transfer initiated."