“Is that the same experience you used to write a report saying Paxton could not wake up, without ever doing a real medical test on him?” I asked.
The doctor turned pale and shut his mouth.
Raymond pointed his finger at my face. “Stop lying, Nicole. The family left town and you stayed here alone. We know your mother has huge debts and your brother is begging for money. You wanted his fifty-five million dollar insurance policy.”
Right then, I realized why they had spread rumors in my hometown. They wanted to create a fake reason for the police.
“My mother does not owe a single dollar to anyone,” I said back. “And my brother has never asked for any money.”
“The police will decide who is lying,” Albert said as he stood up.
He pulled a blue folder out of his jacket. The paper inside stated that I had total control over Paxton’s care, gave him all his medicines, and allowed the family to take over Paxton’s company.
“Sign this paper right now,” he ordered.
I read the lines out loud to the room. “This paper also says I give up my right to challenge the life insurance money.”
“It is just standard paperwork to protect our family money,” Albert said.
“Which family are you protecting?” I asked loudly. “The son who is suffering in this bed, or the family that already calculated how much money they get when he dies?”
The relatives in the room started whispering in shock.
Lillian put her hand over her heart. “How can you say something so horrible to us?”
“It is horrible to print a death certificate for a man who is still breathing,” I said directly to Raymond.
Raymond froze for a second, and that proved he knew about it. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Then you can explain to the police why his name is on a death certificate dated before his actual accident,” I said.
Albert hit the floor hard with his cane. “Stop this nonsense! You are tired, and you are losing your mind. Take your medicine, go to bed, and sign the paper.”
“I will never take anything from this family,” I said.
Raymond walked up to me until he was standing right in front of my face. “Listen to me, Nicole. You can sign this paper like a good wife, or you can leave this house in handcuffs for trying to kill your husband.”
“What if I say no to both?” I asked him.
His smile disappeared instantly. “You do not have a choice here.”
He grabbed my wrist tightly. Albert placed a black ink pad right next to the paper.
“Your fingerprint is enough to make it official,” Albert said.
The relatives looked down at the floor. I realized that bad people do not need brave helpers, because a room full of quiet cowards is enough to let bad things happen.
Raymond pulled my arm down toward the ink pad by force. “Sign it now.”
“Let go of me!” I screamed.
“Stop making a scene,” he growled.
“You started this scene when you sent that poisoned smoothie to his workshop!” I shouted.
Lillian yelled, “She is crazy! Call the police right now!”
“The police are already here,” I replied.
Raymond pressed my hand down harder. My finger was just an inch away from the black ink.
Suddenly, a rough, deep voice shook the entire room.
“Take your hands off my wife right now.”
Nobody moved. Nobody even breathed.
Paxton was sitting up in his bed. He looked very pale and his body was shaking from the effort, but his eyes were wide open and full of anger.
Lillian jumped back in terror like she had just seen a ghost. “Son…”
“Do not ever call me your son again,” Paxton said.
Albert dropped his cane on the floor. Dr. Emerson looked around the room, trying to find a way to run away.
Paxton looked straight at Raymond. “I heard every single word you said in this room. I heard you tell the doctor to give me more drugs. I heard Mom ask how long I needed to look like a vegetable. I heard Dad say Nicole would take the blame. And I heard you celebrate that my accident happened at the perfect time for your bills.”
