Chapter 5: The Insurance Policy
The office became painfully quiet.
I could hear the air conditioner humming above us.
Daniel read the document quiet.
I could hear the air conditioner humming above us.
Daniel read the document again, his expression growing more serious.
“Denise, did you ever complete a medical examination for a again, his expression growing more serious.
“Denise, did you ever complete a medical examination for a life insurance policy?””
“No.””
“Did you ever meet with an insurance representative?””
“No.””
“Did you sign any health declarations?””
I life insurance policy?””
“No.””
“Did you ever meet with an insurance representative?””
“No.””
“Did you sign any health declarations?””
I shook my head.
Daniel took a photograph of the document.
“I'll need to contact the insurer immediately.””
Rachel sat shook my head.
Daniel took a photograph of the document.
“I'll need to contact the insurer immediately.””
Rachel sat with her hands clasped together.
“Marcus told me it was normal. He said successful couples often with her hands clasped together.
“Marcus told me it was normal. He said successful couples often had policies like this.””
I looked at her.
“Did he tell you the amount?””
“Two and a half million.””
had policies like this.””
I looked at her.
“Did he tell you the amount?””
“Two and a half million.””
“And that he was the beneficiary?””
She nodded.
I turned toward Daniel.
“Can someone take“And that he was the beneficiary?””
She nodded.
I turned toward Daniel.
“Can someone take out a policy on another person without their knowledge?””
“It depends on the policy, the jurisdiction, and the circumstances out a policy on another person without their knowledge?””
“It depends on the policy, the jurisdiction, and the circumstances. But the consent and application records will matter. We need to verify exactly what was submitted.””
I looked at the document again.
. But the consent and application records will matter. We need to verify exactly what was submitted.””
I looked at the document again.
There was a line beneath the beneficiary information.
*Additional instructions: All correspondence to be directed toThere was a line beneath the beneficiary information.
Additional instructions: All correspondence to be directed to the policyholder's spouse.
Marcus.
Every letter.
Every notification.
Every document.
He had arranged for himself to control the policyholder's spouse.*
Marcus.
Every letter.
Every notification.
Every document.
He had arranged for himself to control the information.
My stomach twisted.
“Why would he need this?””
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
“Let's the information.
My stomach twisted.
“Why would he need this?””
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
“Let's not jump to conclusions. We need to establish whether the application was accepted, whether the coverage is active, and what declarations not jump to conclusions. We need to establish whether the application was accepted, whether the coverage is active, and what declarations were made.””
He picked up the phone and began making calls.
Rachel leaned toward were made.””
He picked up the phone and began making calls.
Rachel leaned toward me.
“Denise, there's something else.””
I closed my eyes.
I almost didn't want to hear me.
“Denise, there's something else.””
I closed my eyes.
I almost didn't want to hear it.
“What?””
“Marcus said he needed you to travel.””
I looked at her.
“Travel where it.
“What?””
“Marcus said he needed you to travel.””
I looked at her.
“Travel where?””
“He mentioned a trip to the mountains. He said you both needed time away from the house.””
I stared at her.
“When?””
“Next month.””
I remembered?””
“He mentioned a trip to the mountains. He said you both needed time away from the house.””
I stared at her.
“When?””
“Next month.””
I remembered.
Marcus had mentioned a weekend at a mountain resort two weeks earlier.
He had seemed.
Marcus had mentioned a weekend at a mountain resort two weeks earlier.
He had seemed unusually enthusiastic.
He had even suggested I invite no one and leave my phone in unusually enthusiastic.
He had even suggested I invite no one and leave my phone in the hotel safe so we could reconnect.
At the time, I had thought he was the hotel safe so we could reconnect.
At the time, I had thought he was trying to save our marriage.
Now I wondered what he had actually planned.
“Did he say anything else?””
Rachel nodded slowly.
“He asked me whether trying to save our marriage.
Now I wondered what he had actually planned.
“Did he say anything else?””
Rachel nodded slowly.
“He asked me whether you still had your old medication.””
I frowned.
“What medication?””
“The prescription you you still had your old medication.””
I frowned.
“What medication?””
“The prescription you used after your surgery.””
I hadn't taken that medication in years.
“Why would he ask about that?””
Rachel used after your surgery.””
I hadn't taken that medication in years.
“Why would he ask about that?””
Rachel shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Daniel ended his call.
His expression was controlled shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Daniel ended his call.
His expression was controlled, but his eyes were serious.
“The insurer has confirmed that an application exists. They're reviewing the file.””
I, but his eyes were serious.
“The insurer has confirmed that an application exists. They're reviewing the file.””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“Is the policy active?””
“They haven't confirmed that yet.””
He paused.
“But gripped the edge of the table.
“Is the policy active?””
“They haven't confirmed that yet.””
He paused.
“But there's another issue.””
I looked at him.
“The application contains a medical declaration indicating that you personally attended an examination.””
“I didn't there's another issue.””
I looked at him.
“The application contains a medical declaration indicating that you personally attended an examination.””
“I didn't.””
“And it lists a doctor.””
Daniel showed me the name.
Dr.””
“And it lists a doctor.””
Daniel showed me the name.
Dr. Samuel Whitaker.
I recognized it.
He was a physician at the clinic Marcus used for his annual business health. Samuel Whitaker.
I recognized it.
He was a physician at the clinic Marcus used for his annual business health assessments.
I had met him once at a company Christmas party.
He had congratulated Marcus on his assessments.
I had met him once at a company Christmas party.
He had congratulated Marcus on his health and asked me whether I enjoyed working from home.
I had never been his patient.
Never been health and asked me whether I enjoyed working from home.
I had never been his patient.
Never been examined by him.
Never authorized him to release my medical information.
“Call the clinic,” I said.
Daniel nodded.
“I intend to.””
That examined by him.
Never authorized him to release my medical information.
“Call the clinic,” I said.
Daniel nodded.
“I intend to.””
That evening, I returned home with Rachel.
Daniel had insisted we avoid confronting Marcus until the evidence was properly secured.
But I needed clothes.
My passport.
My father's evening, I returned home with Rachel.
Daniel had insisted we avoid confronting Marcus until the evidence was properly secured.
But I needed clothes.
My passport.
My father's old photographs.
And the small wooden box of letters he had left me.
I opened the front door quietly.
The old photographs.
And the small wooden box of letters he had left me.
I opened the front door quietly.
The house was dark except for the dining room.
The anniversary dinner remained untouched.
The turkey had gone cold.
The candles had burned down house was dark except for the dining room.
The anniversary dinner remained untouched.
The turkey had gone cold.
The candles had burned down into small pools of wax.
Marcus was sitting at the table.
Alone.
Vanessa was gone.
His jacket hung over the back of a into small pools of wax.
Marcus was sitting at the table.
Alone.
Vanessa was gone.
His jacket hung over the back of a chair, and his tie was loosened.
A half-empty bottle of wine stood beside him.
He looked up chair, and his tie was loosened.
A half-empty bottle of wine stood beside him.
He looked up when I entered.
“Where have you been?””
I walked toward the staircase.
“Out when I entered.
“Where have you been?””
I walked toward the staircase.
“Out.””
“With Rachel?””
I stopped.
“How do you know?””
He gave a humorless laugh.
“.””
“With Rachel?””
I stopped.
“How do you know?””
He gave a humorless laugh.
“Because she called me.””
I turned.
“What did she say?””
“That you were askingBecause she called me.””
I turned.
“What did she say?””
“That you were asking questions.””
He stood.
“Denise, I want to talk.””
“Then talk.””
He pulled out a chair.
“Sit questions.””
He stood.
“Denise, I want to talk.””
“Then talk.””
He pulled out a chair.
“Sit down.””
I remained standing.
For a moment, he looked almost like the man I had married.
The man who used to bring me coffee in down.””
I remained standing.
For a moment, he looked almost like the man I had married.
The man who used to bring me coffee in bed.
The man who had danced with me in our kitchen after our wedding.
The man who once promised that no matter how difficult life became, we would always bed.
The man who had danced with me in our kitchen after our wedding.
The man who once promised that no matter how difficult life became, we would always be on the same side.
Then he spoke.
“I know you've been talking to Daniel.””
I said be on the same side.
Then he spoke.
“I know you've been talking to Daniel.””
I said nothing.
“He's filling your head with nonsense.””
“Is the insurance nothing.
“He's filling your head with nonsense.””
“Is the insurance policy nonsense too?””
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
“Who policy nonsense too?””
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
“Who told you about that?””
I stared at him.
“You tell me.””
He looked toward the window.
“It's financial planning.””
“Did told you about that?””
I stared at him.
“You tell me.””
He looked toward the window.
“It's financial planning.””
“Did I authorize it?””
“It's for our future.””
“Did I authorize it, Marcus?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“You're I authorize it?””
“It's for our future.””
“Did I authorize it, Marcus?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“You're making this sound sinister.””
I took one step closer.
“Why does the application say I had a medical examination I never attended?””
He went completely still.
Then he looked making this sound sinister.””
I took one step closer.
“Why does the application say I had a medical examination I never attended?””
He went completely still.
Then he looked at me.
“Who gave you that document?””
“Does it matter?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because some things are at me.
“Who gave you that document?””
“Does it matter?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because some things are confidential.””
I almost laughed.
“My medical information is confidential. My signature is confidential. My inheritance is mine. confidential.””
I almost laughed.
“My medical information is confidential. My signature is confidential. My inheritance is mine. Yet somehow, you managed to get your hands on all three.””
He slammed his fist against the table.
“Because I was trying to protect this Yet somehow, you managed to get your hands on all three.””
He slammed his fist against the table.
“Because I was trying to protect this family!””
Rachel flinched beside me.
I didn't.
“What family, Marcus?””
He looked at me.
family!””
Rachel flinched beside me.
I didn't.
“What family, Marcus?””
He looked at me.
“Us.””
“Is Vanessa part of us?””
His face hardened.
“Don't bring her into this.””
“You brought her into“Us.””
“Is Vanessa part of us?””
His face hardened.
“Don't bring her into this.””
“You brought her into our anniversary dinner.””
“She understands my situation.””
“And our anniversary dinner.””
“She understands my situation.””
“And I don't?””
He exhaled sharply.
“You've never understood what it takes to maintain this lifestyle.””
I looked around the I don't?””
He exhaled sharply.
“You've never understood what it takes to maintain this lifestyle.””
I looked around the room.
The expensive furniture.
The crystal glasses.
The anniversary cake.
The roses I had cut from my own garden room.
The expensive furniture.
The crystal glasses.
The anniversary cake.
The roses I had cut from my own garden.
Then I looked at him.
“You mean the lifestyle my father paid for?””
His face turned.
Then I looked at him.
“You mean the lifestyle my father paid for?””
His face turned red.
“You think your father was some kind of saint? He left you money, Denise red.
“You think your father was some kind of saint? He left you money, Denise. Money you didn't earn.
I've spent eight years building something with you. Money you didn't earn. I've spent eight years building something with you.””
“You spent eight years deciding what I was allowed to know.””
He stepped closer.
“Be.””
“You spent eight years deciding what I was allowed to know.””
He stepped closer.
“Be careful what you say next.””
Rachel moved beside me.
“Marcus, stop.””
He pointed careful what you say next.””
Rachel moved beside me.
“Marcus, stop.””
He pointed at her.
“You have no business being here.””
Rachel's voice trembled.
“I know at her.
“You have no business being here.””
Rachel's voice trembled.
“I know. I should have told her everything a long time ago.””
. I should have told her everything a long time ago.””
Marcus looked at her.
Then at me.
And suddenly his expression changed.
The anger disappeared.
A coldMarcus looked at her.
Then at me.
And suddenly his expression changed.
The anger disappeared.
A cold, calculating calm replaced it.
“Fine,” he said.
“You want the truth?””
He walked to the side, calculating calm replaced it.
“Fine,” he said.
“You want the truth?””
He walked to the sideboard, opened a drawer, and removed a slim black folder.
He placed it on the table.
“You shouldboard, opened a drawer, and removed a slim black folder.
He placed it on the table.
“You should read this before you make any more accusations.””
I didn't touch read this before you make any more accusations.””
I didn't touch it.
“What is it?””
“Something your father never told you.””
My heart began to pound.
Marcus opened it.
“What is it?””
“Something your father never told you.””
My heart began to pound.
Marcus opened the folder.
Inside was an old legal the folder.
Inside was an old legal document, yellowed at the edges.
At the top was my father's name.
Robert Carter.
Below it was a paragraph marked in red.
Marcus tapped the page.
“Your father didn't leave you the inheritance document, yellowed at the edges.
At the top was my father's name.
Robert Carter.
Below it was a paragraph marked in red.
Marcus tapped the page.
“Your father didn't leave you the inheritance you think he did.””
I stared at the document.
“That isn't possible.””
“He left conditions.””
“What you think he did.””
I stared at the document.
“That isn't possible.””
“He left conditions.””
“What conditions?””
Marcus smiled faintly.
And for the first time that evening, he looked completely confident.
“Your father knew something about me, Denise. Something he discovered before you married conditions?””
Marcus smiled faintly.
And for the first time that evening, he looked completely confident.
“Your father knew something about me, Denise. Something he discovered before you married me.””
He pushed the document toward me.
“That's why he created the trust.””
I looked down.
The first sentence made my blood run cold.
*In the event that me.””
He pushed the document toward me.
“That's why he created the trust.””
I looked down.
The first sentence made my blood run cold.
In the event that Marcus Hale attempts to exercise control over the beneficiary's assets, the following provision shall take immediate Marcus Hale attempts to exercise control over the beneficiary's assets, the following provision shall take immediate effect...
I stopped breathing.
Because beneath that sentence was a name.
Not Marcus's effect...*
I stopped breathing.
Because beneath that sentence was a name.
Not Marcus's.
Not mine.
A third person's.
Someone I had believed was dead.
Someone my.
Not mine.
A third person's.
Someone I had believed was dead.
Someone my father had specifically instructed never to contact me.
And beside that name was a handwritten note in my father's familiar father had specifically instructed never to contact me.
And beside that name was a handwritten note in my father's familiar handwriting:
If Denise ever reaches this point, tell her what happened the night before her wedding.
I looked handwriting:
If Denise ever reaches this point, tell her what happened the night before her wedding.
I looked up at Marcus.
“What happened the night before my wedding?””
His smile vanished.
For the first time, I understood that the up at Marcus.
“What happened the night before my wedding?””
His smile vanished.
For the first time, I understood that the money wasn't the only secret my father had left behind.
Marcus reached for the document.
But before he could take it, my money wasn't the only secret my father had left behind.
Marcus reached for the document.
But before he could take it, my phone rang.
Daniel.
I answered.
“Denise,” he said urgently, “don't phone rang.
Daniel.
I answered.
“Denise,” he said urgently, “don't let Marcus leave that house.””
I looked at my husband.
“Why?””
Daniel's next words changed let Marcus leave that house.””
I looked at my husband.
“Why?””
Daniel's next words changed everything.
“Because we've just received confirmation from the insurance company. The policy wasn't the everything.
“Because we've just received confirmation from the insurance company. The policy wasn't the only application submitted in your name.””
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“What was the other one only application submitted in your name.””
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“What was the other one?””
Daniel paused.
“A second policy. And this one lists a different beneficiary.””
I?””
Daniel paused.
“A second policy. And this one lists a different beneficiary.””
I looked at the name on my father's document.
Then at Marcus.
And suddenly, the man sitting across from me wasn't just my un looked at the name on my father's document.
Then at Marcus.
And suddenly, the man sitting across from me wasn't just my unfaithful husband.
He was connected to a secret my father had spent years trying to protect me from.
May you like
faithful husband.
He was connected to a secret my father had spent years trying to protect me from.
