Moments later, Archer and Everly parted ways. I followed Archer to Lyla's house.

Lyla's house was located in an old neighborhood; the building was old, and the walls were thin. They lived on the ground floor. As Archer entered, I slipped into the shadows outside the window.

Ronan's voice was menacing.

"Archer, you got the insurance policy? What are you waiting for? Just kill her, my nephew can't be a bastard."

"Brainless idiot!"

Archer cursed him.

"It's over just because we got the policy? The insurance hasn't taken effect yet. We need a foolproof plan to get the money safely."

I trembled all over, sliding down the wall to the ground. My heart still ached when I heard him repeat this in my new life.

Archer continued, "Ronan, keep your mouth shut. The insurance is just a part, the demolition compensation is the real prize.

"If Everly hadn't pushed me so hard, I would have waited until I got the demolition money before making a move. And you, you loser, with all those loan sharks on your back, this is the last time I'm cleaning up your mess!"

Demolition compensation?

No wonder he was so proactive during our blind date. From the meeting to the marriage, it was all his plan.

He was trying to take everything I had!

My teeth chattered, and the baby in my belly kicked hard.

Baby, were you heartbroken, too?

Lyla's voice was shrill. "Ava married you; in life, she's a Pierce; in death, she's a Pierce ghost! Even if she dies first, the demolition money is ours.

What are you afraid of?"

"Mom! Keep your voice down! Ava is carrying my child, I, I'm a bit reluctant."

Lyla shouted, "A money-losing girl, what's there to be reluctant about? Once we get the money, you can have as many as you want, I won't stop you."

Ronan jumped in, too.

"Archer, what do you mean? Let me tell you, I'm still counting on this money to pay off my debts. You're backing out now? I won't allow it!"

With a loud bang!

Archer slammed down a cup. "Why don't you two grab a megaphone and shout? Afraid no one will hear you otherwise!"

The room fell silent, and Lyla calmed Archer down.

When Archer mentioned that the policy amount had changed to ten million, Lyla and Ronan were instantly thrilled again.

"Archer, go write your suicide note now!"

"Archer, don't hesitate. A daughter will just be a burden. You can have plenty of others bear you sons later."

I held my belly and turned to leave. It was time to make some preparations of my own.

Not long after I got home, Archer returned, setting down an insulated lunchbox.

"Ava, Mom went all the way to the reservoir to get this fish. She simmered it for three hours. Come and have it while it's hot.

"Mom says this soup is the most nourishing. It's great for the baby's brain development. You'll definitely have a super intelligent child."

I stared at him, wishing I could bore a hole through him with my gaze.

His cruel words echoed in my ears.

How could he be so tender with me while plotting to kill me and our child?

I took the bowl of soup.

"Did you send the insurance policy over?"

He nodded solemnly.

I had just called to check the policy information. My accidental death insurance was confirmed, but he had been canceled.

"When does it take effect?"

His face stiffened slightly, and he rubbed his fingers nervously. "Why are you suddenly interested in this? I didn't ask for the specifics. Do you want me to call and find out?"

Not interested in the effective date? Who was he trying to fool?

"No need."

I said, "It's a ten million dollars policy, after all. We need to be cautious. You're too busy with work. I'll go to the insurance company tomorrow to confirm everything."

The following day, Archer's ten-million-dollar accidental death insurance policy was confirmed.

The day the insurance policy took effect, Archer didn't come home after work. I found his suicide note hidden under the mattress. Did he hide it so well because he was afraid I would find it?

I burned it to ashes and flushed it down the toilet. The note said he was going to jump into the river to kill himself. I had to go and see.

I called the private investigator, and he told me Archer was about to go onto the bridge. "Do you need me to help him?"

"No, you can go back."

After signing the insurance policy, Lyla came to bring me soup every day, almost every week was different.

She stewed the ingredients until they were soft and tender, smiling as she served me, staring at me, making sure I drank it.

I couldn't refuse, so I had to drink it in front of her and then go to the bathroom to throw it up.

After she left, I would make the leftover soup into noodles or stews and feed it all to Archer.

After a month, Archer became dazed, and his eyes were dull.

I hired a private investigator to follow Archer. Since he was going to fake his suicide, he would definitely have to go to the scene and put on a show.

7

When I arrived, the bridge was cordoned off from a distance. I waved my arms and shouted, "Archer! How is my husband?"

The doctor helped me into the ambulance. Archer was lying there, covered in blood, his life hanging by a thread.

I begged the doctor to save Archer. Her face was grave, and she said she would do her best. As soon as the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Archer was rushed into the operating room.

A moment later, the doctor came out.

"The patient's injuries are severe, and there's an imminent risk of death. We need to perform a tracheotomy. The patient might end up in a vegetative state... Please sign here."

"Surgical consent form? After signing, do we bear all the consequences ourselves?"

The doctor nodded and began to explain to me again.

My body swayed, and I said with difficulty, "We... we're not going to save him."

My hand was shaking too much to hold the pen, so I had to use my left hand to support my right hand and sign my name.

As soon as I finished signing, my whole body slid to the floor.

The doctor comforted me. "My condolences."

I quickly got up and ran towards the fire escape. The doctor shouted worriedly, "Be careful of your stomach! Be careful of your stomach!"

I couldn't suppress the smile on my lips, and I ran faster and faster, afraid she would chase me and see my excitement.

Ten million!

It was ten million dollars!

When Archer crossed the bridge to jump into the river, he must not have thought that he would be hit by a car.

When he tricked me into marriage, he must not have thought that one day, his life would be in my hands. When he bought the insurance, he must not have felt that he was buying it for himself.

He didn't have to fake his suicide anymore.

He was really dead.