My mother and brother also came.

My mother was crying uncontrollably, almost fainting.

My brother was supporting her, wiping away tears.

Seeing their hypocritical performance, my heart felt dead.

But there was someone genuinely sad, my best friend, Eva.

Her eyes were still red from crying, bringing a bit of warmth to my heart.

After the funeral, my mother and brother followed to my mother-in-law's house.

My mother, no longer sad, started yelling, "How could my good daughter die? I demand an explanation."

My brother added fuel to the fire, "Yes, Eric, you always drove that car. How come my sister was driving it and got into an accident?"

Eric's eyes flashed with fear but quickly returned to his usual sorrow.

Looking at Eric, I seemed to guess something.

5

Eric choked up, "Mom, my wife is gone. I'm very sad too. The police investigation found it was an accident."

"I know raising a child alone is not easy for you."

"Here is ten thousand dollars, not meaning anything else, just as my last act of filial duty."

Eric took out a bank card from his pocket and handed it to my mother.

My brother quickly took it, smiling, "Oh, Eric, no need to be so formal. But since it's for mom, we'll accept it."

I chuckled inwardly.

I knew their sadness was because they could no longer squeeze benefits out of me.

I never had any expectations from my mother and brother.

But why did Eric act so strange, giving ten thousand dollars so easily to get rid of my mother and brother?

6

At night, I saw Eric sitting in the study, staring at a pile of things in a daze.

Suddenly, my mother-in-law called, "Eric, come and drink some soup. You've lost weight these days."

Hearing her call, Eric quickly got up, responding, and put the things into the bottom drawer.

I hurried to hide in the bathroom.

A surge of thoughts rushed through my mind.

No wonder Eric had been so attentive in the days before my accident.

He insisted I drive whenever we went out, even though I usually took the bus since we only had one car, which he usually drove.

A chilling realization dawned on me as I pieced together the strange, fragmented memories.

7

At night, I slept without a blanket and even opened the window, hoping to catch a cold.

My eyes were half-closed, feeling feverish, "Daddy, I feel terrible."

Eric touched my forehead, "You have a fever. I'll call in sick for you today. Stay home and rest with grandma."

I weakly nodded and coughed a few times.

It's just acting. I can do it too.

When my mother-in-law went out to buy groceries, I quickly got up from bed.

I went to the study, opened the bottom drawer, and found the items inside.

They were all about cars, newspapers, books, and an insurance policy.

The insured was me, and the beneficiary was Eric.

I was stunned. My guess was right.

He had meticulously planned my death and used the most cost-effective method.

8

"Eric, look at this news, a novice woman driver mistook the accelerator for the brake. It almost caused a huge traffic accident." I said nervously, feigning fear.

Eric looked at me meaningfully, "Would you mistake the accelerator for the brake?"

I glanced at him, "What do you mean? I don't drive. I prefer taking the bus. It's big and safe."

Eric quickly put on a smile. "It's nothing, really. Driving just takes practice. Why don't you drive tomorrow? I can get there faster by subway anyway."

Memories flashed before my eyes, scene by scene, as if they happened yesterday.

At that time, although I felt something was off, I didn't think much of it.

The most ridiculous part was that, right before I died, I thought I had actually mistaken the gas pedal for the brake.

But I clearly remembered that I had stepped on the brake.

So there was only one possible truth...

9

I hurriedly took out my old phone and photographed everything.

I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock at the door, so I quickly put everything back in order and returned them to the drawer.

Squinting my eyes, I said, "Grandma, you're back. I'm still not feeling well. I'll sleep a bit more."

I hid the phone behind me, checked to see that Grandma went to the kitchen, and then quietly returned to my room.

Fortunately, Grandma didn't suspect anything.

In the evening, Eric came back with lots of stuff, and he brought Grace along.

Grandma frowned at Grace. "I'm feeling sore all over today and need some rest."

Eric quickly tried to smooth things over, holding his mother's hand and leading her inside.

Grace's smiling face turned sour in an instant, and she spoke in a low voice.

"You good-for-nothing. You live in a nice house while your mother stays in a rental."

"But luckily, I have proven myself, hmph..."

10

When Eric and his mother came out again, their faces were full of smiles.

Eric was overjoyed and took us all out for a grand meal.

It turned out that Grace was pregnant, and they said it was likely a boy.

I couldn't help but burst into laughter, and everyone looked at me simultaneously.

Especially Grace, who stared at me as if I were her enemy.

Quickly thinking, I raised my glass.

With a bright smile, I said, "I'm happy for Dad and Grandma, and I'm also happy that Mom finally got what she wished for."

Everyone almost burst into laughter at my words.

The meal ended joyfully for everyone.

Just like that, Eric brought Grace back to our home.

As soon as Eric got home, he went to the study. I could vaguely hear him humming a tune.

Occasionally, hearty laughter would come from the room, "Hahaha."

Eric muttered to himself, "Get promoted, get rich, and lose your wife."

My heart ached. How had I not seen this man's dark heart earlier?

Grace and my mother-in-law went downstairs for a walk.

My mother-in-law cared so much about Grace's pregnancy and she treated her like a treasure.

Taking advantage of their absence, I quickly closed my door and found my bag.

Inside were the medical test results for both Eric and me.

Mine clearly stated that I had low progesterone, making it difficult to get pregnant.

And then there was Eric's result. Looking at it, a faint smile curled on my lips.

11

When Eric and his mother returned to the room, I could hear their whispered conversation and bursts of laughter.

I could vaguely make out phrases like "even if she dies, it's worth it," "it's her own misfortune," and "buy a big house."

Rage burned within me. I knew what they were talking about. It was about a million changed by my life.

I went downstairs and found Grace returning from grocery shopping.

Seeing me, she glared. "You little brat, what are you doing down here?"

Feigning mystery, I took the groceries from her and stood on tiptoe to whisper, "Mom, you misunderstood me. I came over earlier to keep an eye on Dad for you."

"But I couldn't say it then because it wasn't convenient. After all, we are the closest people to each other."

Hearing this, Grace's eyes softened, "Hm, I didn't raise you in vain. At least you have some conscience."