2
343words
"Emily, come on. Movies aren't real life," she said, glaring at Nathan." If Nathan ever hurt you, I'd deal with him myself!"
Nathan chimed in," Let's skip it then. If Emily doesn't like it, we won't get it."
Seeing them scramble to please me, I laughed.
"Kidding! I know movies aren't reality. Thanks, honey—I love the gift."
Nathan exhaled, relieved. I caught Samantha subtly relax, their eyes meeting briefly.
I flipped through the policy. It was a savings-type accident plan, meant to double in 20 years. But Nathan had added high-payout accident and death clauses, naming himself the beneficiary.
I tapped the beneficiary section."Nathan, why's your name here?"
He was ready."Darling, the death benefit can't be yourself. Since you have no parents, it had to be me. But you know I'd rather die than let anything happen to you. Focus on the savings part—what you'll get when you're older."
"No parents?" I smiled." What about Mom—Ms. Claire? And Samantha?"
I grew up in a foster home.Ms.Claire, the director, was like a mother to me.
Samantha? I couldn't wait to see them turn on each other.
Nathan's smile froze.
" Emily, "Samantha signed, beaming but deflecting," I'm touched you trust me, but I'd never take that money if something happened to you.I'd feel too guilty!"
Wow, she really loved Nathan.
"Then just Ms. Claire," I signed, turning to Nathan."Can we do that?"
Their smiles stiffened.
"Emily, don't you trust me?" Nathan asked, his devoted-husband act slipping.
"Samantha said she'd feel guilty taking my death payout. Wouldn't you? Or do you want to cash in on my death?" I teased.
"Of course not!" Nathan swore, his conviction Oscar-worthy.
"Then agree! It's my gift—making me happy matters most, right?" I pressed.
As we stalled, Samantha suggested," How about we remove the death clause? Keep Emily as the beneficiary?"
No way.
That would give them a way to incapacitate me, Nathan could claim my payout, run off with Samantha, and when I died, inherit the rest as my husband.
