Chapter 3 - I Let My Children Believe Their Mother Was Dead So They Would Sign Their Own ConfessionsThe plan was dangerous.
But necessary.
We staged the scene.
A car wreck.
A burned vehicle.
DNA evidence convincing enough for the first responders.
A fake body.
A funeral would come later.
My children were told nothing.
They would discover my death through police.
The first person to arrive was Monica.
She screamed.
Not with grief.
With panic.
“I need the will!”
Edward grabbed her arm.
“Not here.”
Brian stood behind them.
His face was pale.
He looked devastated.
For a moment, I wondered whether guilt had finally reached him.
Then I heard him whisper:
“What if she changed it?”
Edward stared.
“She didn't.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she was too sick.”
That sentence told me everything.
They weren't mourning.
They were waiting.
Two days later, Henry announced my death publicly.
The media exploded.
BILLIONAIRE CEO HELENA STERLING KILLED IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT.
Investors panicked.
Employees cried.
My children gave interviews.
Monica sobbed beautifully.
Edward promised to continue my legacy.
Brian said he would “honor everything Mother built.”
I watched from a hidden location.
Samuel sat beside me.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“Because they're lying.”
“No.”
I looked at the screen.
“Because part of me still loves them.”
He understood.
Love doesn't disappear just because someone betrays you.
That was the hardest part.
Henry released the sealed will.
My children's faces changed.
The inheritance was not theirs.
Every guilty beneficiary was disqualified.
Control went to Alice.
The remaining assets went to charity.
Monica broke something in her office.
Edward called his lawyers.
Brian disappeared.
Then the calls began.
One after another.
“I'm contesting this.”
“She was mentally incompetent.”
“She was manipulated.”
“We will prove coercion.”
Henry answered every one.
Then came the mistake.
Edward met Victor.
The meeting was recorded.
Victor said:
“The mother is gone.”
Edward replied:
“Then the company is ours.”
Victor asked:
“Are you sure the will can't hurt you?”
Edward laughed.
“She can't change anything now.”
They discussed the plan.
Sell the company.
Move the assets.
Erase the evidence.
I watched the recording.
My heart broke.
Not because I was surprised.
Because Edward's voice sounded so normal.
As though discussing his mother's murder were no different from discussing dinner.
Then Monica joined them.
She revealed she had already transferred money.
Millions.
Brian entered later.
He handed Victor a folder.
“Medical records.”
Victor smiled.
“Excellent.”
Brian looked nervous.
“What if she survived?”
Victor laughed.
“She didn't.”
That was the moment I realized something.
My son had not been the mastermind.
He was frightened.
Manipulated.
And perhaps still salvageable.
I asked Samuel:
“Can we reach him?”
“Yes.”
“Do it.”
We contacted Brian anonymously.
He agreed to meet.
He arrived at an empty church.
I watched from behind a wall.
He looked exhausted.
“Who are you?”
“Someone who knows what happened.”
He froze.
“Is she alive?”
I stepped out.
He stared at me.
“Mom?”
I nodded.
He burst into tears.
“I didn't know.”
“You knew.”
“I knew they wanted to scare you.”
“You helped.”
“I was afraid.”
“You chose them.”
He fell to his knees.
“I am sorry.”
I wanted to believe him.
But I had learned not to confuse regret with innocence.
“Tell me everything.”
He did.
Victor had threatened him.
Edward had planned the murder.
Monica had arranged the medication.
Brian had helped move company money.
And there was another name.
“Alice.”
I froze.
“What about her?”
“Edward thinks she's loyal to you.”
“She is.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“She has been receiving payments.”
My stomach dropped.
“From whom?”
“Victor.”
I couldn't breathe.
Alice.
The woman I trusted.
The woman I was leaving the empire to.
Had she betrayed me too?
Brian handed me a document.
“She's been selling information for months.”
I stared.
Then he whispered:
“Mom, I'm sorry.”
I believed one thing.
He was afraid.
I didn't know whether he was telling the truth.
May you like
But I knew what came next.
We needed to test Alice.
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