CHAPTER 4: The Staged Accident

THE D-DAY

I dressed Emma in her favorite yellow sundress. The one with tiny daisies. It made her look like sunshine. My hands shook as I braided her hair. I knew this might be the last normal morning we shared if I failed.

"Mommy, why are you shaking?" Emma asked. Her green eyes studied my face in her bedroom mirror.

"Just excited about your field trip, sweetheart." The lie tasted bad. But I forced a smile. "Are you ready to see the butterfly garden?"

She nodded. She was so excited. She talked about caterpillars and cocoons. I fought the need to lock her in this room forever. Away from Brock's plans.

Downstairs, Brock sat at our kitchen table. He read financial news on his tablet. He was playing the role of good father and husband. But I noticed everything now. The way his leg bounced with nervous energy. How he kept checking his phone. The too bright smile he gave Emma when she ran to hug him goodbye.

"Be good for your teachers today, princess," he said. He kissed her forehead. "Daddy has some important meetings. But I'll pick you up after the field trip."

"Promise?" Emma held out her pinkie finger.

"Promise." Brock linked his finger with hers. I wanted to scream at how cruel and casual it was. He was planning to disappear with her today. He wanted me to think we were both dead.

After he left for work, I called the school.

"Hello, Mrs. Becky? This is Emma's mother. I'm afraid she woke up with a terrible stomachache. I think it's best if she stays home today."

The teacher's voice was kind. "Oh dear, I hope she feels better. The butterfly garden will be there another time."

I hung up. I found Emma playing with her dolls in the living room. "Change of plans, baby. We're going on our own adventure today."

Her face got bright. "Really? Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." I packed a bag with snacks and her favorite stuffed elephant. My heart was breaking at how excited she was. She was so innocent. "But first, Mommy needs to make a stop."

I drove to the factory area where Brock planned his accident. I parked far enough away so no one would see us. But close enough to record everything. Emma napped in her car seat while I waited with my phone camera ready.

At exactly 2:17 PM, Brock's BMW went off the curved road near the old factory. It crashed into the concrete wall with a sick crunch of metal and glass. Even though I knew it was fake, seeing it made me gasp.

Within minutes, an ambulance showed up. Too quickly. Like they were waiting nearby. The paramedics moved like they practiced this. They were so smooth. They loaded Brock's body onto a stretcher. He wasn't moving. From where I was, I recorded it all. The fake blood. The coordinated show. The way one paramedic checked his phone before they drove away.

"Mommy?" Emma woke up in her seat. "What was that loud noise?"

"Nothing, sweetheart. Just some construction work." I started the car, my hands shaking, "Let's go see Daddy."

At General Hospital, I rushed through the emergency room doors. I carried Emma. I played the part of the scared wife who just got terrible news about her husband's accident.

"Please," I cried to the lady at the desk. "They said my husband was brought here. Brock Nott. Car accident."

The woman's face got soft with practiced sympathy. "Room 314, ma'am. The doctor will talk to you soon."

I found Brock lying still in the hospital bed. Machines beeped around him. His acting was perfect. The slow breathing. The bandages put in just the right spots. Even a faint bruise on his forehead that looked really real.

Emma climbed onto my lap in the chair beside the bed. "Is Daddy sleeping?"

"Yes, baby. Daddy's very hurt. The doctors are trying to help him."

Twenty minutes later, Tatiana burst through the door. Her face looked worried. "Bethany! I came as soon as I heard. How is he?"

I studied my former best friend. I noticed the way her eyes looked at Brock's face. She was searching for signs he was awake. "The doctors aren't sure he'll make it," I said. I watched her carefully. "They're talking about organ donation if... if he doesn't wake up."

Tatiana's calm broke for just a moment. "Organ donation? Isn't that... too soon?"

"Brock always said he wanted to help people if something happened to him." I stood up. I still held Emma. "I should talk to the transplant person. His liver could save someone's life. And his heart..."

"Wait." Tatiana grabbed my arm. "Maybe we should wait a little longer. Sometimes people wake up from comas when you don't expect it."

Her desperation was barely hidden now. I pushed harder. "Every hour we wait, his organs get less good. If Brock really is... gone, we shouldn't ignore his final wish."

A tall man in a big white coat appeared in the doorway. "Mrs. Nott? I'm Dr. Peterson from the organ team. I understand you want to talk about donation?"

Tatiana went pale. "Doctor, maybe it's too soon to make decisions like this. Mrs. Nott is clearly in shock."

"Actually," I said firmly, "I've never been more sure of anything. Brock would want his death to mean something."

Dr. Peterson nodded professionally. "We'll need to run some tests first. But if you're ready to sign the papers..."

"No!" Tatiana's shout surprised everyone in the room. She quickly calmed herself. "I mean... shouldn't we get a second opinion? Maybe try experimental treatments?"

I turned to her. I looked confused. "Tatiana, why are you so against this? You know how generous Brock was."

Before she could answer, I walked out to the hallway. I called Marcus Rivera's number. My hands shook as I listened to it ring.

"Bethany?" His voice was warm with surprise. "I haven't heard from you in..."

"Three years," I finished. "Marcus, I need your help. Brock's been in an accident. And I... I need memorial photographs for the funeral. Professional ones."

The silence went on so long I wondered if he hung up. Finally he said, "Of course. Where are you?"

"General Hospital. Room 314."

"I'll be there in thirty minutes."

Back in Brock's room, I found Tatiana whispering hard into her phone. She ended the call when she saw me.

"Who was that?" I asked. I tried to sound innocent.

"Just... work. They needed to know I'd be taking time off." Her smile looked forced. "Bethany, are you sure about the organ donation? It seems so final."

I sat back down. I settled Emma on my lap. My daughter was drawing pictures of butterflies on a napkin. She had no idea her father planned to steal her from me today.

"Daddy's very sick, isn't he, Mommy?" Emma looked up at me. Her green eyes trusted me completely.

I smoothed her hair. I fought back tears. "Yes, baby. But no matter what happens, Mommy will always keep you safe. No matter what anyone tells you, remember that Mommy loves you most in the whole world."

Emma nodded seriously. She went back to her drawing.

When evening came and visiting hours ended, I kissed Brock's forehead for the last time. I tasted the bitter irony. Tomorrow would bring the funeral. And with it, the next part of my plan.

Tatiana stayed as I got Emma and our things. "Bethany, about what we talked about earlier..."

"The organ donation?" I shrugged. "Don't worry. I've decided to wait until tomorrow. Give the doctors one more night to see if there's any change."

Relief covered her face. "That's... that's wise. Very wise."

I walked toward the elevator with Emma's hand in mine. I felt Tatiana's eyes on my back. She had no idea that tomorrow, her greed would destroy everything she thought she built.

And I would be there to watch it all fall apart.