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.