Chapter 7: The Woman Behind the Insurance Policy
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Nia's voice came through the phone again.
"Marcus? Are you listening?""
I looked at David.
He had heard every word.
"What exactly are you saying?"" I asked.
"I need you to come home.""
"I'm already home.""
"You know what I mean. Come back to the bedroom. There's something I need to show you.""
I laughed bitterly.
"After everything you've done, you think I'm going to walk into another room alone with you?""
"Please. I swear this is important.""
"Then tell me over the phone.""
She hesitated.
"I can't.""
"Why?""
"Because Jordan is listening.""
My stomach tightened.
I looked at David again.
"Is he with you?""
"Yes.""
"Put him on.""
There was a rustling sound.
Then Jordan's voice came through.
"Marcus, you need to hear her out.""
I closed my eyes.
"You've both had plenty of opportunities to tell me the truth. Why should I believe either of you now?""
"Because this is bigger than the business.""
I gripped the phone.
"What does that mean?""
Jordan lowered his voice.
"Someone else has been involved from the beginning.""
Before I could respond, the call ended.
David immediately shook his head.
"Don't go there.""
"I need to know what they're talking about.""
"Then let the police handle it.""
I looked at the security footage still frozen on my laptop.
Nia's face was visible on the screen.
That smile.
That terrible, deliberate smile.
I saved the recording to an external drive and sent a copy to my lawyer, whose number David had already obtained.
We agreed not to meet Nia alone.
Twenty minutes later, my lawyer, Rebecca Collins, called.
After hearing everything, she gave me one clear instruction.
"Marcus, don't confront either of them without documenting the conversation. Preserve every message, every document, and every recording. And don't sign anything.""
"I understand.""
"Have you contacted the police?""
"Not yet.""
"Then do that tonight. The potential identity theft and forged financial documents are serious.""
I thanked her.
David drove me to the local police station.
We submitted the initial report and provided copies of the documents and security footage.
The officer handling the case, Detective Miller, listened carefully.
When he saw the insurance application, he leaned back.
"Mr. Reed, has anyone threatened you?""
"No.""
"Has your wife ever mentioned wanting to separate?""
"Not directly.""
He looked at the insurance paperwork.
"Do you understand why we're asking?""
I nodded.
"Because of the policy.""
"Yes. We're not making conclusions, but the circumstances warrant investigation.""
He asked for Nia's contact information and Jordan's business details.
Then he requested the original security footage.
Before we left, Detective Miller handed me his card.
"If either of them contacts you with threats or tries to pressure you into signing anything, call me.""
I slipped the card into my wallet.
For the first time that night, I felt as though someone was taking the situation seriously.
But I still needed answers.
At 10:47 p.m., Nia sent me a message.
I'm at the house. Please come alone. I promise you'll understand everything.
I showed it to David.
He shook his head.
"She's trying to control the situation.""
I forwarded the message to Rebecca and Detective Miller.
Rebecca called back almost immediately.
"If you decide to speak with her, don't go alone. Arrange a safe, public location or have the police coordinate it.""
I agreed.
I sent Nia one response.
Tomorrow. With my lawyer present.
She replied almost instantly.
You won't believe me if she's there.
I stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
Marcus, I never wanted anything bad to happen to you.
I didn't answer.
The next morning, Rebecca arranged a meeting at her office.
Nia arrived at 9:15 a.m.
She looked exhausted.
Her hair was tied back, and her eyes were swollen.
Jordan wasn't with her.
Rebecca sat beside me.
"Before we begin," she said, "I want to make something clear. Marcus is here to understand the facts. He isn't agreeing to settle any financial matter or accept responsibility for any document.""
Nia nodded.
Then she looked at me.
"Marcus, I know you hate me.""
"I don't hate you. I just don't know who you are anymore.""
She lowered her eyes.
Rebecca opened a notebook.
"Let's begin with the insurance policy. Why did you apply for it?""
Nia took a shaky breath.
"Jordan told me it was necessary for the business loan.""
Rebecca frowned.
"Why would a life insurance policy be necessary for a business loan?""
"He said it was a requirement from the lender.""
I leaned forward.
"That's not what the application says. It lists you as the beneficiary.""
Nia started crying.
"I know.""
"Then why did you do it?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Because I thought it would protect us.""
"Who is us?""
She looked at me.
"Me and Jordan.""
The room went silent.
Rebecca stopped writing.
I stared at my wife.
"Say that again.""
Nia covered her mouth.
"I didn't mean—"
"You said you thought it would protect you and Jordan.""
She nodded faintly.
Rebecca leaned forward.
"Nia, I need you to be precise. Are you saying you applied for a life insurance policy on Marcus because you believed it would benefit you and Jordan financially?""
Nia looked down.
"I was scared.""
"Of what?""
She hesitated.
Then she finally spoke.
"Jordan's business was failing. We had debts. The bank was threatening to take back the equipment. He told me everything would collapse if we didn't get the money.""
I stared at her.
"So you decided to insure my life?""
"No!""
"Then explain it!""
She began shaking.
"I thought the policy was just another financial requirement. I didn't understand how serious it was.""
Rebecca pointed toward the medical section.
"Who provided this information?""
Nia looked at her hands.
"I did.""
"You claimed Marcus had recurring chest discomfort?""
"I thought it would help the application get processed faster.""
I felt sick.
"You invented medical problems about me?""
She whispered, "Yes.""
I leaned back.
Rebecca continued.
"Who suggested the $750,000 coverage amount?""
Nia hesitated.
"Jordan.""
I looked at her.
"But you were the one who wanted the policy?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
"Why?""
Her eyes filled again.
"Because I wanted a way out.""
The words landed like a slap.
"A way out of what?""
"Everything.""
I stared at her.
She continued.
"I was tired of feeling trapped between you and Jordan. I thought if the business succeeded, we could start over somewhere else.""
I shook my head.
"Then you could have divorced me.""
She looked up.
"Jordan said you would never let me leave with anything.""
I laughed bitterly.
"I never stopped you from leaving.""
"I know that now.""
"No, Nia. You knew it then. You just wanted to leave with my money.""
She started crying harder.
Rebecca closed her notebook.
"We'll need a full written statement and supporting evidence. For now, I want to ask one final question.""
She turned toward Nia.
"Was there ever any discussion about Marcus being harmed?""
Nia went completely still.
Her hands stopped moving.
She looked at me.
Then at Rebecca.
"I don't want to answer that without Jordan.""
My blood turned cold.
Rebecca exchanged a glance with me.
"Why?""
Nia swallowed.
"Because he was the one who said it first.""
I leaned forward.
"What did he say?""
She began trembling.
"Jordan told me that if something happened to you, the insurance money would solve all our problems.""
I stared at her.
Rebecca immediately interrupted.
"Did he threaten Marcus?""
Nia shook her head.
"He said there were ways to make accidents happen.""
My heart hammered.
Rebecca stood up.
"That's enough for today.""
She called Detective Miller while Nia remained seated.
Within minutes, the detective arrived.
Nia agreed to provide a formal statement.
Before she left, she looked at me.
"Marcus, I know you won't forgive me. But I need you to understand something.""
I said nothing.
She leaned closer.
"Jordan wasn't the only person who knew about the policy.""
I frowned.
"Who else?""
Her eyes moved toward the detective.
May you like
Then she whispered:
"Someone at your company helped us get the insurance approved.""
