Chapter 1

"1.5 million dollars," my husband, Blake Conner, said, sliding the insurance policy across the table to me.

I stared at him, stunned. "That much?"

"You're my wife," Blake said, smiling as he ruffled my hair. "If anything ever happened to you, I want to make sure I have enough to cover your medical bills."

I felt a warm rush inside.

The next day, I was driving on the highway.

Suddenly, the brakes failed.

I hit the brakes three times, but the speed only dropped from 75 miles to 71, then to 68.

No matter how hard I pressed, the brakes just wouldn't work.

There was a massive semi ahead.

I swerved hard, crashing into the guardrail and flipping the car over.

When I woke up, I found myself in the hospital.

Blake was sitting by my bed, his eyes red. "Honey, you scared the hell out of me..."

I looked at him, and suddenly, something hit me.

I remembered last night, Blake said he'd check my car.

This morning, he told me everything was fine.

After I left the hospital, I took my car to a mechanic.

The mechanic slid under the car and came out ten minutes later.

He looked at me, a little shocked. "Your brake fluid's bone dry."

*****

The day Blake bought me that insurance policy was November 1st.

We'd been married for three years, and it was the first time he'd ever sat across from me with such a serious look, holding a document.

"1.5 million dollars," he said.

I was peeling an apple, the knife frozen in mid-air. "Wait, 1.5 million dollars? For what?"

"Accident insurance," Blake said, sliding the document over to me. "I got it for you."

I set down the fruit knife and picked up the policy.

Policy holder: Blake Conner.

Insured: Sandra Todd.

Coverage Amount: 1.5 million dollars.

Beneficiary: Blake Conner.

"That's a lot of money..." I was a little dazed. "How can we even afford the premiums?"

"I've been saving up," Blake said, taking my hand. "Sandra, you're my wife. I have to protect you. If anything ever happened to you, I want to make sure I have enough to cover your medical bills."

I felt my eyes sting.

Blake wasn't the type to say sweet things. In three years of marriage, he'd barely ever said "I love you." But him suddenly buying me insurance made me feel he truly cared.

"It's fine if you put yourself as the beneficiary," I said with a smile. "We're family, after all."

"Yeah," Blake said, ruffling my hair. "We're family."

That night, Blake said he'd take a look at my car.

"You've been saying the brakes have been kind of mushy lately. Let me check it out," he said, grabbing the keys and heading downstairs.

While washing the dishes at home, I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to have Blake as my husband. He might not be romantic, but he was dependable.

At 11:30, Blake came back.

"How'd it go?" I asked.

"Nothing serious, probably just in your head," Blake said. "Just drive carefully tomorrow."

"Okay," I replied.

The next day, I drove to work.

I was cruising on the highway at 75 miles per hour.

Suddenly, a semi truck cut in front of me.

I hit the brakes.

The speed dropped from 75 miles to 71.

I hit the brakes again.

It dropped from 71 miles to 68.

Something was wrong.

I slammed my foot down on the brake, but it was like stepping on a pillow. It just sank to the floor, and nothing happened.

The semi truck ahead was getting closer and closer.

I jerked the wheel hard, sending the car straight toward the guardrail.

Bang!

The car flipped over.

I heard the airbag deploy, and then everything went black.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital.

Blake was sitting by my bed, his eyes red. "You scared the hell out of me. I'm so glad you're finally awake."

"I..." My voice was hoarse. "What happened to me?"

"You were in a car accident," Blake said, holding my hand. "On the highway, your car hit the guardrail and flipped over. Good thing you had your seatbelt on. You just got a mild concussion and a couple of broken ribs."

I remembered the moment the brakes failed, and a chill ran down my spine.

"Did the doctor say when I can go home?" I asked.

"They want to keep you here for three days for observation," Blake said. "I've taken time off work. I'll be here with you."

He sounded so gentle, but something just felt off.

Suddenly, the hospital room door burst open.

Blake's mom, Rosa Conner, stormed in and went off on me. "Sandra, you couldn't drive well and ended up in a wreck. How could this be my son's fault?

"He even checked your car last night. Now you're lying here, are you just trying to milk my son for money?"

I was stunned.

"Mom, what nonsense are you talking about?" Blake frowned. "Sandra's hurt. Don't say stuff like that."

"Oh, I'm not talking nonsense," Rosa jabbed a finger at me. "She's in the hospital, and we're paying for everything.

"You bought her that pricey insurance, and she still wants more. Now she gets in a wreck and wants to blame you for it!"

My throat tightened.

How the hell did Rosa find out about the 1.5 million dollar insurance Blake got for me?

"Mom, just go home," Blake said, practically shoving Rosa out of the room. "Let me talk to Sandra for a minute."

Before she left, Rosa shot me a death glare.

Once the door closed, Blake let out a sigh. "My mom's just like that. Don't let it get to you."

"How did she know about the insurance?" I asked.

"I told her," Blake said. "My mom thinks the insurance is way too expensive. She's got a problem with it."

I didn't say anything.

That weird feeling in my gut just kept getting stronger.