Chapter 3

I opened the browser and began searching.

[Can a minor draft a legal will?]

[How to prevent parents from collecting life insurance payouts?]

[Does a beneficiary still receive a payout if they commit a crime against the insured?]

One key piece of information popped up at the top of the search results.

[If a beneficiary intentionally causes the death of the insured, the insurance company will deny all payout claims.]

I stared at those words for a long time. Then, I opened a blank note and started keeping a diary.

Not a regular, personal diary, but for evidence.

Using that old iPad, I began recording everything from audio files, video clips, to hidden snapshots. Every single time they discussed my policy, cut back my medication, or updated the countdown on the whiteboard, I documented it all.

Three days later, the number on the whiteboard changed to forty-four.

Sandra went through with her threat and cut my medication. I used to take three pills a day. Now, there were only two in my cup.

"Mom, I'm missing a pill," I said.

Sandra was peeling a piece of fruit for Andy and didn't even bother to look up. "The doctor said you can taper off your dosage at this stage."

"The doctor never said that."

The knife in Sandra’s hand paused for a second. "I'm your mother. If I say cut the dosage, you cut the dosage."

I didn't argue.

I just went back upstairs, pulled up the recording software, and saved the audio file under the name: [Evidence_004_MedicationCut]

That evening, Daniel came home with a stranger. The man wore a crisp suit, carried a polished briefcase, and wore a practiced, professional smile.

"Freya, this is Mr. Pierce. He's a claims advisor from the insurance company," Daniel said, his voice dripping with an unusually gentle tone.

Whenever he acted sweet toward me, it meant he needed me to play along with something.

"Mr. Pierce just needs to do a quick health evaluation with you. Be a good girl and cooperate, okay?"

Mr. Pierce squatted down to eye level, smiling warmly. "Hey there, Freya. I just have a few quick questions for you. It won't take long.

"How are you feeling lately? Any discomfort anywhere?"

I glanced over at Daniel. His eyes burned with a silent, sharp warning.

I smiled. "I feel okay. Sometimes my chest gets a little tight, though."

"And are you taking your medicine? Regularly?"

"Three pills a day, right on schedule. Never missed one."

The corner of Daniel’s mouth twitched upward in satisfaction. Beside him, Sandra let out a quiet sigh of relief.

After finishing his notes, Mr. Pierce shook Daniel’s hand. "Don't worry, Mr. Mason. I’ll get these files processed as soon as possible. If... worst comes to worst and tragedy strikes, I’ll personally rush the claim payout for you."

"I appreciate your hard work, Mr. Pierce."

Once the front door closed behind Mr. Pierce, Daniel patted me on the head. "You did great today. As a reward, you can watch thirty extra minutes of TV tonight."

I guess that was my grand reward for helping them rehearse my own death.