Chapter 6

Adele’s POV

It was all or nothing now. I had one last card up my sleeves to finally make them all pay.

Vanessa and Clara were tough. I'll give them that.

Despite the stunt with the organ donations and cremation, they still hadn't incriminated themselves completely. Not enough for the law to bite into.

I was standing over Eric's corpse at the viewing room when Adele and Nessa walked in, sniffling and resting on each other for support as they wiped fake tears from their eyes with a handkerchief.

I almost gagged on the hypocrisy, as they walked over to Eric's corpse. They couldn't stop sobbing and muttering about how life was so unfair to Eric. How he had such a bright future and whatnot. 

I stepped to the side giving them enough room, and turning on my phone ringtone like it was ringing.

I ended the ringtone, and placed the phone in my ear.

“Hello? Oh–yes, this is she. Eric's wife,” I answered, pretending like I couldn't see them eavesdropping from the corner of my eyes. “Yes, the life insurance policy…that's correct. Fifty million dollars.”

Both their mouths fell open as they stared at each other with wide eyes, before stylishly making their way closer to me, but I took a few steps forward, can't afford for them to know the call is fake.

“Yes, of course. I'll send the address of the funeral home right now,” I continued. “You'll be doing an inspection? No problem. The cause of death is listed as a heart attack.”

I paused, like I was listening to the other person speak.

“Yes. I'll be expecting you guys.”

I ended the call, and turned slowly to face the two women now doing a terribly pathetic job at pretending they hadn't just overheard every damn word.

“I'll give you two a minute,” I said sadly, and without waiting for a response, I walked out of the viewing room.

The moment I was outside, I pulled out my phone and opened the live video.

“Oh. My. God!” Clara exclaimed. “Fifty million dollars? Did you know about that, Nessa?”

“No. Eric didn't mention anything,” Nessa responded, unable to contain her excitement either. 

“Doesn't matter,” Clara laughed. “What matters is…we're rich!” She squealed. “Add that to the investment returns and we're looking at ninety million dollars!”

They both squealed, and hugged themselves.

“But, what about the insurance company?” Nessa broke the hug, her face etched with concern. “They'll be coming to verify Eric's death.”

“So?” Clara replied immediately, her brain clouded by the thought of having ninety million dollars.

“So?!” Nessa hissed. “Eric isn't exactly dead-dead. If the insurance company finds out we faked his death–”

“We're screwed,” Clara cut in, realization dawning on her. “We can't let them find out. Eric has to die.”

That took a dramatic turn pretty fast.

“Are you insane?” Nessa whispered harshly, looking around to make sure no one was around. “This is murder.”

“And the first one wasn't?”

Vanessa was stunned speechless.

Clara grabbed her by the shoulder. “I'm just being practical Nessa! Everyone already thinks he's dead. Adele thinks he's dead. This won't change anything–”

“Clara–”

“Think about it, Nessa,” Clara cut in. “Eric would want us to have this money. Ninety Million is a whole lot. We won't have to work if we don't want to.”

Vanessa was silent for a split second before nodding at Clara in understanding.

They both walked over to Eric in the casket.

“Goodbye brother,” she choked out in tears, before leaning over and pressing down on his neck.

My heart stopped. I hadn't expected things to escalate so fast.

And these are the people Eric loves and trusts most in the world.

I have to stop this. This would ruin everything.

I pushed the door open.

“Clara the guests are already here,” I said, announcing my presence.

They both withdrew their hands, and stood awkwardly beside the casket 

I raised a questioning brow at them.

“We were just adjusting his collar,” Clara explained with guilt.

I nodded, playing dumb.

We rolled Eric into the chapel where the guest Clara could invite had begun to gather. I noticed none of Eric's other family members were here, and just a few acquaintances of his, but I acted like I didn't notice, I'm a grieving wife, anyone would excuse me not paying attention to the guests present. 

As most of the guests walked over to Eric's casket to pay their last respect, a man walked in, and introduced himself.

“I'm Stephen Jones, from Trinity Insurance. I'm here to inspect the death claim of Mr. Eric Pearson,” he said, and Vanessa and Clara both stepped forward. “Mr. Pearson had a life insurance policy worth fifty million dollars–,” the guests gasped and began whispering amongst themselves, while Clara hung her head up high. “... Before we release the funds, a routine inspection must be conducted to verify natural causes,” he continued, after the murmuring died down. “We also need to confirm the beneficiaries.”

He opened a file, and began to read from it.

“According to this file, the beneficiaries are Clara Pearson, the deceased sister, and Adele Pearson, the deceased wife.”

“No,” Clara cut in sharply. “She's no longer my brother's wife.”

“What?” The words tumbled out of my lips before I could even stop myself.

“Yes Adele,” she looked at me pointedly. “Eric already divorced you. The papers had been signed, and he was just about to give it to you before his unfortunate demise,” she sobbed at the last part.

“What are you saying, Clara?” I asked in a broken voice even though I was beyond relieved. This wasn't a part of my plans, but it was a very welcomed bonus.

“Ness, please get the papers from Eric's car,” Clara instructed, ignoring me completely.

While Nessa happily did as she was told, Clara turned to the guests, faking an apology to them for having to witness all this, then she began spewing lies after lies about how miserable Eric was all through the period of our four years marriage, and how I was such a horrible wife.

Her lies had the effect she wanted, as some of the guests stared at me in disgust, and whispered amongst themselves how I didn't deserve the money.

Vanessa got back with the papers, and Clara didn't waste time in handing it over to me.

“You were a horrible wife Adele, so you don't deserve the money,” she said with so much venom in her voice.

I didn't bother to argue, as this was my ticket to freedom. Whichever part this took from here on out doesn't concern me anymore, and if not for that fact that I was supposed to be a grieving wife, I would have been twerking my ass out in joy.

I signed the divorce papers, and handed it back.

“With Adele Pearson no longer his spouse, the sole beneficiary becomes Clara Pearson,” The inspector announced.

“That's correct,” Clara beamed.

Bait successfully got.

I can't wait to see their faces when they find out there isn't a fifty million dollars life insurance policy on Eric. The man isn't even worth five grand, and that's me being really generous.