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He tossed the policy aside, and the issue fizzled out.
During dinner, they pushed their food around while I devoured every bite, relishing my second chance.
Afterward, Samantha claimed she'd had too much wine and felt dizzy, staying over.
In my past life, she'd used the same excuse. I never suspected, since she often crashed at our place.
Now I knew—she stayed to hook up with Nathan, thrilling in the risk under my nose.
"Nathan, I'm dizzy too. Help Samantha, will you?" I signed, feigning drunkenness.
"She's a woman—your friend. Me helping her isn't right," Nathan signed, playing gentleman.
"I'm right here. What's the issue? Helping her when I'm not around—that's what's wrong," I signed, slurring." Unless you're hinting at something?"
"You're drunk!"
I'd dropped too many truths tonight, and now" drunk" Nathan lost his cool, forgetting to sign.
He helped Samantha to the guest room.
Thanks to my deafness, they spoke freely once my back was turned.
"Is she on us? She's been off all day. Did you slip up?" Samantha hissed.
"No way. She was fine before dinner. Probably just spooked by the insurance and that movie," Nathan replied.
"Then drop the insurance. She can't keep living!"
"Patience. We can't lose that payout. She won't last long—I've got this. Trust me, you're covered."
…
clutched a glass of water, barely resisting the urge to throw it at them.
My best friend wanted me dead even more than my husband.
After my rebirth, I'd hidden a spare phone in the guest room, set to record video.
That night, in my bedroom, I watched their live affair unfold.
The next morning, they left for work together.
I took Nathan's insurance policy to the foster home.
Samantha and I grew up there together. Our bond was lukewarm until I saved her from drowning. I caught a fever for three days, and when it broke, I was deaf.
After that, Samantha cared for me, becoming my closest friend. She even introduced me to Nathan.
I handed the policy to Ms. Claire, signed with her as the beneficiary—unchanged otherwise.
In my past life, she'd handled my burial, laying me to rest in the foster home's playground.
"Emily, what's this?" Ms. Claire asked, forgetting to sign in her unease.
"Just a safety net for the home," I signed.
"Is something wrong?!"She paused, realizing." You can hear?!”
