Chapter 3 - THE SECRET UNDER MY JACKET
The morning of the helicopter flight, Richard acted happier than I had seen him in months.
That scared me.
People planning something terrible often become calmer.
Because they already know the ending.
“Ready?”
Richard smiled from the doorway.
I looked at him.
The man I married.
The man I loved.
The man who might kill me.
“Almost.”
He walked toward me.
“You look beautiful.”
I smiled.
“Thank you.”
What he did not know was that underneath my loose jacket was the emergency parachute Evelyn helped me obtain.
I prayed I would never use it.
But I had learned something.
Hope was not a survival plan.
---
The helicopter waited on the private landing area.
The pilot greeted us.
Richard shook his hand.
Everything looked normal.
Too normal.
I watched every movement.
Every word.
Every expression.
Richard helped me inside.
Such a caring husband.
Such a perfect performance.
The helicopter lifted.
The California coastline became smaller beneath us.
Richard held my hand.
“I love you.”
I looked at him.
“I love you too.”
The words almost broke me.
Because I meant them.
That was the worst part.
---
Ten minutes into the flight, Richard received a phone call.
He looked at the screen.
Then turned it off.
“Who was it?”
“Business.”
I nodded.
But I noticed something.
His hands were shaking.
Not from fear.
From excitement.
He knew something was about to happen.
I looked outside.
The ocean was endless.
Beautiful.
Dangerous.
“Richard?”
“Yes?”
“Why did you really bring me here?”
He smiled.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean this feels different.”
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
“You worry too much.”
Maybe before, I would have apologized.
Not anymore.
“I know what you have been doing.”
The helicopter became silent.
“What are you talking about?”
“My trust documents.”
His face froze.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
“You searched for my inheritance.”
“That is ridiculous.”
“You asked what happens if I die.”
His smile disappeared.
The man sitting beside me was no longer pretending.
And then I saw it.
The truth.
---
He reached forward.
Not quickly.
Not violently.
Almost calmly.
That was what terrified me.
“Richard…”
He looked at me.
“I really hoped you wouldn't figure it out.”
My blood turned cold.
“What?”
He sighed.
“You made this harder than it needed to be.”
The helicopter door opened.
The wind exploded inside.
I screamed.
“Richard!”
He grabbed my arm.
“I'm sorry.”
Then he pushed.
---
May you like
CHAPTER 3 END
--------------------------------------------------
