Chapter 3

It was barely 9 AM, but I had already mapped out my first three moves. I took a deep breath, feeling the cold metal of the letter opener hidden in my robe, and opened the bedroom door.

Silas stood there, a bouquet of lilies in hand, my favorite at the time. He looked at me with such feigned devotion that for a split second, my old heart fluttered.

But then I remembered him standing over my dying body, and that flutter turned to a cold knot of nausea.

“Cassie,” he whispered, stepping closer to kiss my forehead. “You look beautiful. Even with sleep in your eyes. Are you ready for our forever?”

“Forever is a long time, Silas,” I replied, my voice sweet. I took a step back, avoiding his touch. “Actually, I wanted to talk with you and Loanne about something before the ceremony. Something regarding the estate.”

Silas’s expression shifted. A glimmer of hunger momentarily flickered in his eyes before he covered it with a smile. “Of course, honey. Anything. But isn’t it a bit early for business?”

“It’s never too early to protect the family,” I countered.

We made our way downstairs to the sunlit breakfast nook. My parents were there, my father reading the newspaper, and my mother pouring tea.

Seeing them alive, breathing, and smiling nearly broke my composure. I wanted to scream at them to stay away from the mountains, to run far from the two predators seated at the table.

But I couldn’t. I had to play the game.

Loanne was already there, butting into a croissant. She looked up, eyes wide and innocent. “There’s the bride! Silas, doesn’t she look like an angel?”

“She does,” Silas said, pulling out a chair for me.

I sat down but didn’t touch the food. Instead, I focused entirely on my father. “Dad, I’ve been considering the dowry and the Vance family trust. You know Silas and I discussed merging our accounts after the wedding.”

Silas leaned in, his posture suddenly alert. This was what he had been waiting for, the legal keys to the kingdom.

“But,” I continued, stirring my tea slowly, “I have decided to transfer all my personal assets and the inheritance I’ll receive today into a private, restricted trust. Just in my name. For the next ten years.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Loanne dropped her knife. It clattered against the china like a gunshot. “Ten years? But Cassie, Silas is your husband! You two are building a life together. Why would you want to keep him away from your finances? It sounds so... untrusting.”

Silas’s smile remained fixed, but his jaw tightened, as though he were about to snap. “Honey, we talked about this. It’s much easier for the company if I handle the finances. You mentioned not wanting to deal with the ‘boring’ numbers.”

“I changed my mind,” I shot back, maintaining eye contact. I didn’t blink. “I think it’s crucial for a wife to be responsible. Besides, if our love is as ‘pure’ as you say, Silas, money shouldn’t be an issue, right? You’re marrying me for who I am, not for the Vance trust.”

I saw a vein throbbing in Silas’s temple. Under the table, I knew his fists were clenched. He was furious. His entire plan for the last ten years hinged on accessing that money today.

“Of course, Cassie,” he replied, his voice strained yet sweet. “If that makes you feel secure... then I support you. But we should consult the lawyer before the ceremony to ensure it’s done ‘correctly.’”

“I already called him,” I smoothly lied. “He’ll be over with the new papers in an hour. I’m sure you won’t mind signing a new prenup, right, Silas? Since you love me so much.”

Loanne’s face had gone pale. She glanced at Silas, and I could see an unspoken panic flicker between them. They weren’t just losing money; they were losing control.

“Cassie, dear,” my mother said, looking puzzled. “Is everything alright? You seem... different this morning.”

I reached over and squeezed her hand. Her skin felt warm. Real. “I’m just growing up, Mom. I’ve finally realized that if I don’t protect what’s mine, no one else will.”

I stood up, leaving the table before they could protest. As I walked away, I heard Silas harshly whisper something to Loanne.

They were scared. For the first time in two lifetimes, I was the one holding the knife.

But as I reached the stairs, I realized I had another issue to deal with. I had blocked off the money, but I still needed to prevent the car crash. I knew Silas, if he couldn’t get the money through marriage, he would resort to a tragedy.

I returned to my room and pulled out my laptop. I needed to find out exactly where they had planned for the “accident” to occur.