Chapter 3: The Large Insurance Policy
1417 Words
The private investigator’s words lingered in Ellie’s mind. Sean had taken out a large accidental death insurance policy on her, naming himself as the beneficiary, and she hadn’t heard a word about it. Why did he buy insurance for her?
What was he planning? Ellie suppressed her fear and continued chatting with Sean, trying to pick up any clues.
They talked about various topics, but she couldn't detect any slip-ups in his words. Finally, unable to contain herself, she said, "One of my employees left to work in insurance. She contacted me today and suggested I get a policy, including accidental death insurance."
"Then buy it. It’s a good gesture to support someone you know," Sean replied casually. Ellie felt a bit relieved.
Maybe he bought the insurance out of social obligation, pressured by a persistent salesperson. She nodded and, speaking metaphorically, said, "Yes, it's just insurance, nothing serious."
With their daughter away, the couple indulged in a rare night of passion, and Ellie felt like she was back in college. But afterward, she felt exhausted and couldn’t sleep. Watching her husband sleep, she quietly slipped out of bed and went to the basement.
She seldom visited the basement, which Sean used as a studio and storage space. The last time she had come down was when Sean was busy packing picnic gear, and she had found the painting that triggered her current suspicions.
Although everything seemed to have a reasonable explanation, she couldn’t shake her unease.
If Sean had any secrets, they would be in this basement. Besides numerous paintings, there were just some old items. She searched but found nothing suspicious, growing frustrated with her paranoia. She feared she might need a psychologist soon.
"Trust Sean," she kept telling herself. She couldn’t let her parents' failed marriage make her doubt everything. Taking a deep breath, she started sorting through discarded paintings—mostly unfinished works Sean had abandoned.
As she looked at them, memories of their shared dreams brought a smile to her face. But the smile froze when she picked up a sketch.
It was a recent drawing of a half-naked woman, her features indistinct, but Ellie knew it wasn’t her. Sean had really cheated on her!
“Sweetheart, wake up. I made you some bird's nest soup. Have some before going to work.” Sean’s voice came from outside the door. Ellie opened her eyes, bloodshot from a sleepless night. Watching her husband bustle around, she felt a surge of disgust for the first time.
They had been together for over a decade, yet she felt she had never truly seen him. How could he be so tender and caring towards her while entangled with another woman? She didn’t confront him about the insurance policy.
Instead, she drank the bird's nest soup and drove to work as usual.
Her tight grip on the steering wheel and the car's speed reflected her turmoil. She didn’t go to the office, unsure of whom to trust. Even her best friend had covered for Sean, so who knew if her assistant had been bribed as well?
She contacted Audrey, the private investigator she found online. Meeting in person and receiving more information from Audrey helped Ellie regain some composure.
Sean had another woman; that was certain. But who was she, and how far had their relationship progressed? Why had he taken out that insurance policy?
She had heard of husbands causing “accidents” to their wives to claim insurance money, but never imagined it could happen to her. She felt a chill run through her body.
“Ms. Su, I think you might need a lawyer,” Audrey suggested, recognizing the signs from previous cases. The woman before her appeared calm but had a look of despair and suppression in her eyes.
“Thank you.” Ellie heeded Audrey’s advice and went to the most reputable law firm in town.
“Ms. Su, if you want to file for divorce and gain an advantageous position, you need concrete evidence, not just suspicions,” the lawyer advised.
Seth suggested. Cases like this typically wouldn’t come to him, but the client had requested the best lawyer and could afford the fees, so here he was.
"I already have someone investigating," Ellie said.
"Then let me ask you this: if we find evidence, are you sure you want a divorce, Ms. Su?"
"What do you mean?" Ellie asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
"Apologies, I meant no offense. It's just that I've handled many cases like this. Initially, my clients are as resolute as you, but later, due to family reasons or other factors, they change their minds," Seth explained. "I just want you to be sure, Ms. Su."
Ellie hesitated for a moment. Was she really ready for a divorce? Seeing her hesitation, Seth added, "You still have time to consider. Again, I urge you to think carefully before making your decision."
Leaving the law firm, Ellie felt a moment of confusion. Was she really ready to dissolve the family she had worked so hard to build? Ellie was caught in an unprecedented struggle.
Unsure why, Ellie found herself visiting Sean’s parents. Perhaps it was because they had always treated her like their own daughter, and in her moment of uncertainty, she instinctively sought their help.
As she parked and prepared to go upstairs, she noticed Sean and his mother sitting in the community garden.
They had their backs to her and didn’t notice her approach. As she walked closer, she heard Sean’s mother say, “Anna mentioned the other day that her mom seemed unhappy lately. Has Ellie found out something?”
Ellie stopped in her tracks, incredulous at what she was hearing.
“It’s just that I slipped up the other day, but Samantha helped smooth things over,” Sean replied. “I even made a special trip to the nursing home yesterday to reassure her.”
“Don’t be too sure of yourself. If she finds out you have someone else, who knows what kind of scene she’ll make,” his mother warned.
Ellie couldn't hear what was said next; her world had just shattered. She had always believed she was happy—with a loving husband, doting in-laws, and a best friend who always had her back. But now, she realized she had nothing.
Her so-called happiness was a mere illusion, ready to burst at any moment.
They had deceived her, treating her like a fool. Anger, disappointment, and hatred flooded her heart. Trembling, she pulled out her phone and called Audrey. “Find out who that woman is. I want all the evidence. I’ll pay you double.”
Hanging up, she called Seth. “Mr. Fu, I’ve made my decision. Prepare the necessary documents. I’ll send you the evidence as soon as I have it.”
Seth must have sensed the tremor and resolve in her voice, for he simply advised her to check Sean’s financial situation as well. Her mind in a whirl, Ellie handed the task over to Audrey.
After taking care of everything, she slumped over the steering wheel, tears streaming down her face. Silent sobbing wracked her body, each tear a testament to her deep pain.
After what felt like an eternity, she wiped her tears and dialed Samantha’s number.
“Calling me at this hour? Miss me, darling?” Samantha’s cheerful voice came through, but Ellie found it utterly repulsive.
“You knew about Sean’s affair all along, didn’t you?” Ellie demanded.
The line went silent. Even though she had expected it, Ellie still felt a deep stab of pain.
“Why? You’re my best friend, and yet you conspired with him to deceive me.”
Her voice rose in anger. If Samantha had been in front of her, Ellie would have slapped her without hesitation.
“Yes, I knew. I wanted to tell you, but everyone knows how headstrong you are. If I told you, your family would have fallen apart,” Samantha defended herself.
“So you chose to deceive me instead?” Ellie’s voice dripped with cold sarcasm.
Maybe irritated by Ellie’s tone, Samantha snapped, “Fine, blame yourself for being incapable of keeping your husband in check. Don’t take it out on me.”
Samantha’s words left Ellie utterly cold. She had prided herself on her business acumen, confident in reading people, but now she realized she had failed miserably, unable to see the true faces of her husband and her best friend.
- Writer
