My Husband’s True Colors After the Insurance

In my last life, a runaway car left me broken on the pavement.

My husband, standing right beside me, didnt call for an ambulance. Instead, he cursed me for not watching where I was going, snarling that I deserved to die.

After his tirade, he turned to comfort the driver who had hit me.

Dont be scared, he coached her. When the cops get here, you stick to the story that she was trying to scam you for money, that you panicked and hit the gas instead of the brake.

Dont worry, he assured her. Im here. Nothing will happen to you.

Even as I lay there, my life fading away, Vincent never once thought to call for help.

As I took my final breath, he leaned in close, his voice a venomous whisper in my ear. Ill remember you. After all, youre giving me quite a gift. Ive already got plans for that million-dollar insurance payout.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back. A few days before the crash.

Rick smiled, tucking the signed insurance policy into his briefcase. Just as he was about to leave, I stopped him.

Is there something else, Faye? he asked.

I looked down at myself, whole and unharmed, a wave of dark relief washing over me. Let me see Vincents policy again.

In my previous life, Vincent had told me he was just helping out a friend, Rick, by buying an accident policy. I didnt think twice and signed on the dotted line for my own. A few days after the policies went into effect, I was the victim of a brutal hit-and-run.

Vincent hadnt called for an ambulance. He had rushed to the drivers side, comforting her.

Dont be scared, hed told her. Just insist she was trying to scam you. That you got flustered and mixed up the pedals.

It was a stranger, a passerby, who finally found me bleeding out on the asphalt and called for help.

But the nightmare wasnt over. As the ambulance sped across the Blackwater Bridge, another car, seemingly out of nowhere, slammed into its side. The impact threw the rear doors open, and I was flung from the back of the vehicle, plunging into the dark river below. My body was never recovered.

Faye, Vincents coverage is higher than yours, and youre the beneficiary. Is there something youre concerned about? Ricks voice pulled me back to the present.

I want to change the coverage amount, I stated.

Rick looked hesitant. Vincent quickly stepped in. Rick didnt bring any extra forms. If you alter these, theyll be void.

Yeah, Faye. Is there a problem with the amount? Rick asked, feigning concern.

Last time, I had no idea this policy was my death warrant. Since Ive been given a second chance, I figured I might as well raise the stakes. Naturally, Id raise Vincents coverage, too.

Hearing me suggest a higher amount, the tension in Vincents shoulders visibly eased.

Well, Rick, you heard her. Do what she says.

Rick turned to me. How much of an increase are we talking about? The higher the coverage, the higher the premium.

I casually flipped through the pages before closing the document. What good is five million these days? I said with a dismissive air. If you die outright, fine. But what if youre left half-dead? That kind of money wont even cover the medical bills.

A slow, pleased smile spread across Vincents face. Honey, what are you talking about? Were buying this for peace of mind. Nobody actually hopes to cash in on it.

I looked at my two-faced husband. Are you worried about the money, or are you just trying to keep Rick from getting a bigger commission?

The commission was secondary. Rick and Vincent were old friends, and Rick had just started at the insurance company. This sale was all he needed to secure his position. It was supposed to be a win-win. I just never imagined it was a conspiracy to murder me.

My words seemed to stun both of them into silence.

Fine, fine, Vincent finally said to Rick. Listen to her. Go and draw up a new policy with a higher payout.

Is ten million enough? Rick asked.

I nodded, then gathered both of the already-signed policies and held onto them.

As soon as the premiums were paid, they would be active.

Rick looked at me, a flicker of confusion in his eyes when he saw I wasn't handing the documents back. Before he could say anything, Vincent ushered him along.

The printer is in the study. What are you waiting for?

While Rick was in the study amending the policy, I printed out two organ donor registration forms.

Vincent stared at me, his face a mask of pure shock and confusion.

I knew he would never sign it, but I held one out to him anyway.

Why on earth would we donate our organs? he asked, his voice tight.

Were already buying life insurance. Whats the big deal about donating our organs?

He hesitated, clearly trying to figure out my angle. He didnt want to sign, but he was afraid of making me suspicious. I didnt wait for him, signing my name with a flourish.

Seeing him still wavering, I feigned anger. If youre not willing, then theres no point in the insurance either. Its a waste of money.

With that, I turned and stormed back to our bedroom.

Vincent was utterly baffled.

Of course, he couldn't possibly understand my plan. I didn't have the energy to wait for him to get into a car crash and then arrange for his ambulance to be rammed off the Blackwater Bridge. If he signed that form, all Id have to do is make one phone call after his "accident," and hed get a taste of what it felt like to not even have a body to bury.

But I couldn't say any of that out loud.

Id barely stepped into the bedroom before Vincent followed me in.

Honey, lets just forget about the organ donation, okay? Were only buying this insurance to help Rick out. He paused, then added, If you really want to donate, I wont stop you. But Im not doing it.

He wasnt even bothering to pretend anymore. The only thing he hadn't said outright was that he was plotting against me.

In my last life, his act was flawless. He never let the mask slip. To the outside world, he was the perfect husband, the perfect son-in-law.

No one knew he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Of course Im donating, I said firmly. And youre signing, too.

Why should I?

Vincents voice was loud, a clear sign of his guilt.

The commotion drew Rick out of the study.

Whats going on, you two? he asked, trying to look neutral.

I answered him calmly. We wont be buying the insurance for now.

A flash of fury crossed Vincents face. Faye, are you doing this on purpose?

You wont even sign an organ donor form, I said coolly. How do I know what youre really up to?

Before Rick could try to mediate, I grabbed my bag, turned, and walked out of the house.

Vince, you dont think she knows something, do you?

What could she know? Just get the damn policies ready. While shes out, Ill sign for her and pay the premium.

Look, man, just sign the donation form. Its not worth spooking her over something so small.

Seeing Vincent was still being stubborn, Rick tried to reason with him. Shes the one whos going to die anyway. It doesnt really matter if you sign or not.

Exactly! So why should I sign? Its bad luck!

Dont let a stupid little thing like this screw up the whole plan. Its not worth it.

After a moment of deliberation, Vincent finally picked up the pen and scrawled his name on the organ donor registration form.

Is the car ready?

Just waiting for your payment.

Every move they made was exactly as Id predicted. The only reason Id fallen for it in my past life was because I trusted Vincent too much. He had played me for a fool, leaving me to die without a body or a grave.

A faint smile touched my lips as I saved the evidence.

I had no intention of exposing their plot. The last thing I wanted was to tip them off.

In fact, after leaving the building, I deliberately took a route that avoided that all-too-familiar massage parlor.

I found a quiet spot and transferred the full premium amount to the account listed on the insurance policy.

Then, I discreetly went to Ricks insurance company and had the official stamp applied to the contracts.

Only after everything was in place did I slowly make my way home.

When I walked in, I saw the organ donor forms and the insurance policies laid out on the table. Without a second thought, I picked up a pen and signed my name on my policy with a confident flourish.

Seeing me sign, Vincents mood seemed to lift considerably.

He said he was going to deliver the contracts to Rick and headed out.

I stood by the window for a long time, but I never saw him leave.

No matter how well a fox hides, its tail will eventually show. But this time, watching his deception, I felt nothing.

In my last life, I was a fool. It wasnt until the moment of impact that I realized Vincent had been cheating on me. Now, even knowing he was running off to celebrate with his lover, my heart was perfectly still.

Why would I care, now that Ive been reborn?

Time flew, and soon it was the day of the crash.

I had just laid down when my phone buzzed with a notification. It was the exact same message Id received in my last life.

This time, my heart was calm as I opened the photo. I waited patiently for it to load, then glanced at the image of Vincent with his arms wrapped around masseuse number 38, their bodies pressed intimately together.

Last time, I had been consumed by a blind rage, throwing on clothes and rushing out to confront him.

The street was dark and empty. But as I crossed, a black sedan with its headlights off came hurtling toward me.

Before I could even react, the impact sent me flying dozens of feet through the air. I landed hard in the middle of the road, the car screeching to a halt just inches from crushing my skull. My legs were mangled, twisted at unnatural angles by the bumper.

After the crash, Vincent emerged from the shadows.

He didn't check on me. His first move was to comfort the driver.

Wendy, are you okay? Youre not hurt, are you?

He glanced at my gasping form and spat, You should have hit the gas harder.

Then back to her, all soothing concern. Dont be afraid. Im here, I wont let anything happen to you. When the cops come, just say she was trying to scam you, that you panicked and hit the gas instead of the brake.

You haven't been drinking, so the worst they'll do is question you a few times.

The horror of my last moments was still vivid in my mind. This time, Vincent waited downstairs for a long time, but I didnt move.

Perhaps his patience wore out.

He called me.

Faye, we were just having a few drinks, and Ricks kid was playing with my phone. He was messing with some AI app and sent you a weird, fake picture.

I stayed silent.

Youre not mad, are you? he pressed.

What are you talking about? I asked, my voice thick with sleep.

Oh, did I wake you? I just meant that picture was a misunderstanding. Dont worry about it.

Oh.

Hey, you want to come down for a bite? Were at the diner just downstairs.

No, Im going back to sleep, I said, deliberately.

Vincents voice immediately turned urgent. Come on, and bring me a jacket while youre at it. It got cold all of a sudden, Im freezing out here.