My Husband's Childhood Friend Killed His Father

My husband, Zeke Larson, rushed to the police station at night because his childhood sweetheart, Snow Lowell, had run over my father-in-law and killed him. Snow clutched Zeke’s jacket and trembled in fear. “Zeke, I’m so scared. I didn’t mean to kill anyone.” Zeke pulled her into his arms at once and glared at me like he wanted to kill me. “You were in the car too. Why didn’t you stop her?” I almost laughed. He was the one who insisted that Snow drive. He said she had just gotten her license and needed more practice, so he pushed her to take his car and give me a ride. “Forget it. He’s already dead. There’s no point arguing now. “We’ll just say your dad ran into the road without looking, and that’s how Snow hit him. “We can settle this privately. Snow has a performance in Vienne next month. She can’t have a stain on her record.” I froze for a moment. When he repeated himself, I finally realized that he thought the person who died was my father. I looked at Zeke and saw how natural it all seemed to him. I could not help but laugh. “This is not a private settlement I have the right to be part of.” Chapter 1 Zeke Larson growled in irritation. His face was filled with rage. “Sophie, what do you mean by that? “Is this the time to blame someone? Snow is terrified. Can’t you see that?” Snow Lowell, who was still in his arms, began to sob at just the right moment. Her voice was soft and cloying. “Zeke, don’t blame Sophie… “Her father just passed away. She must be in pain…” She paused, then cried even harder. She said while sobbing, “It’s all my fault. It’s all because of me. I shouldn’t have been driving. “Zeke, am I going to jail?” Zeke’s heart broke when he heard that. “Don’t be silly. What are you talking about? I’m here. No one will hurt you.” He patted Snow’s back to comfort her, then turned and fixed me with a cold stare. “Sophia, I’ll say this one last time. This has to be settled privately. “I’ve already spoken to the police. They just need a statement from the family about the accident. “It should say your father wasn’t paying attention and suddenly ran into the road. It should highlight that Snow couldn’t avoid him, and that’s how the accident happened.” He took an A4 sheet of paper from his briefcase that had been printed ahead of time and threw it onto the table in front of me. “Sign it.” I looked at it. It was a statement full of lies. It put all the blame on the dead. I suddenly remembered something that happened three years ago. My father’s company ran into trouble, and its cash flow ran dry. He had done the same thing back then. He had thrown a share transfer agreement in front of my father and used me as leverage to force him to sell thirty percent of the company’s shares at a low price. He had said, “Mr. Carter, this is for Sophia’s own good. You can’t let her go bankrupt along with you, can you?” Back then, I thought he was acting for our future. It was today that I realized that the cunning and coldness in his eyes had never changed. When I still had not picked up the pen, Zeke lost his patience. “What are you waiting for? Do you want me to force you? “Sophia, be smart and do as I say! Your father is dead, and your family is finished! “Do you even realize who you’ll have to rely on now? What good will making me angry do for you?!” Snow poked her head out from his embrace. Her eyes were teary, and she looked pitiful. “Sophia, just sign it. Zeke is only doing this for your own good. “Once someone is gone, they can’t come back. The rest of us still have to live. “I promise I’ll make Zeke treat you twice as well from now on.” I felt sick, but I still forced out a cold laugh. “Fine. I’ll sign it.” I picked up the pen and signed my name at the bottom of the statement. Zeke put the papers away with satisfaction. He finally looked a little relieved. “That’s better. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure your father’s funeral is grand.” He grabbed Snow and turned to leave. “Come on, Snow. I’ll take you to eat something and help you relax. Don’t let this little thing ruin your mood.” I watched them leave quietly, then slowly took out my phone and pressed the stop recording button. Zeke was right. The dead could not come back, and those who were alive had to keep living, especially Zeke, once he realized that the person who had died was his father instead of mine. Chapter 2 It was already late at night when I left the police station. I went straight to the hospital morgue. A cold morgue slab held a body covered with a white sheet. I stood there for a long time, but I did not have the courage to lift the sheet. I was not close to my mother-in-law, but my father-in-law, John Larson, had been a good man. Zeke had been spoiled by his mother and had grown up wild and unruly. John was the only one who disciplined him strictly. He always said a person should live with a clear conscience. He was also the only one in the family who had truly cared for me. He kept in mind that I was his daughter-in-law and would give Zeke a stern talking-to whenever I was treated unfairly. I took a deep breath, but I still could not lift the sheet. I was afraid I would break down, cry, and ruin my plan. When I got home, Zeke and Snow were sitting on the couch. A neatly arranged late-night snack sat on the table. When he saw me, Zeke just gave me a quick glance. “Back already? Everything is settled. Don’t be too upset. “Snow saved some nourishing soup for you. Go ahead and have some.” Snow immediately picked up a bowl and handed it to me with a bright smile. “Sophia, try it. Zeke ordered it specially for me. It’s really good for your health. “You’ll probably be up late these next few nights at the wake. Don’t let yourself get worn out.” My stomach churned. I did not take it. Instead, I looked at Zeke. “Zeke, what are you going to do about my father’s company?” Zeke froze for a moment. He did not seem to expect me to bring it up so soon. He put down his fork, wiped his mouth, and leaned forward as if discussing a serious matter. “Your father passed suddenly. The company has no leader now. “A woman like you can’t run a company. I think it’s better if I take over. “Don’t worry. I won’t cheat you out of what’s yours. You’ll still get your yearly dividends and be taken care of.” Snow stuck out her tongue and added from the side, “Yes, yes, Sophia! Zeke’s a business genius! I’m just too cute to do anything, though. “Hand the company to him. It will be a hundred times better than if it were in your hands!” I watched Snow back Zeke up and sneered inwardly. My father’s company was the legacy my grandfather had left behind. It was worth tens of billions of dollars. Zeke had wanted it for years, and he finally had his chance. “Hand it over to you? Why should I?” I asked. Zeke’s face darkened, and his tone grew impatient. “Sophia, stop being ungrateful. Are you fully aware of your current situation? Do you still want to argue with me? “Snow didn’t mean to cause your father’s death, but making a big deal out of it helps no one. “I’m helping you out by handling the company and settling this issue. What more do you want?” “I don’t want anything,” I said calmly. “I just want to know how you plan to handle this.” Zeke thought I had backed down, and his expression softened slightly. “It’s simple. I’ve already hired a PR team. They will release an online statement tonight.” He picked up his phone, opened a file, and showed it to me. The headline was shocking. [Late-Night Tragedy: Drunk Elderly Man Crossing the Street, Innocent Young Pianist Involved] The article painted my father as a drunken old man who ignored traffic rules. Snow was depicted as a terrified, kind-hearted musical prodigy. Chapter 3 “The online reaction to Snow is getting worse. We have to move first and turn the public opinion around.” Zeke explained, “As long as we pin full responsibility on your father, Snow will be completely safe. “By tomorrow morning, everyone online will be sympathizing with Snow and condemning your father. “Once that happens, no one will bother to look into the truth behind the accident.” Snow added smugly, “Zeke really thought of everything. Sophia, don’t take it personally. “Your father is already gone. His reputation doesn’t really matter anymore, does it? “You can’t ruin the future of someone who’s still alive just for a dead man, right?” I looked at the shameless pair in front of me and forced the metallic taste back down my throat. Of course, I did not mind. I even felt like helping them along. I took out my phone and pulled up a contact. “Hello, Mr. Zach? This is Sophia. “I have a major story about the pianist, Snow Lowell. It’s guaranteed to go viral. Are you interested?” Zeke and Snow both froze. Zeke came back to his senses first. He grabbed the phone from my hand and yelled into it, “Wrong number!” Then he hung up hard. “Sophia, what exactly are you trying to do? “Do you really think calling some small-time reporter gives you leverage over me?” I looked at his furious face and smiled instead. “Why are you so nervous? I’m just trying to help. Didn’t you say you wanted to create a buzz? “The media contacts I have are far better than that amateur PR team of yours. “I’m sure the major outlets would be very happy to cover a touching story about a genius pianist.” Zeke’s expression shifted again and again. He stared at me, as if trying to see through me. Snow, however, believed it immediately. She grabbed Zeke’s arm excitedly. “Zeke, Sophia’s right. “If we can get into the major outlets, the effect will be much better. Then everyone will know about me.” Zeke frowned. He was clearly still suspicious of my intentions. I did not bother wasting words on them anymore. I said plainly, “I can help you, but I have conditions.” “What conditions?” Zeke asked cautiously. “Give me back the share transfer agreement and get out of my father’s company.” Zeke’s face darkened. “Sophia, don’t push your luck! “Your father’s company will be mine sooner or later. Do you think you can bargain with me now? Don’t you find that ridiculous?” “Do you?” I took out my phone and played the recording from earlier. Zeke’s words came through loud and clear. “As long as we pin full responsibility on your father, Snow will be completely safe.” His eyes went wide in shock. Snow went deathly pale. She pointed at me and said, “Y-you actually recorded us?” “If I didn’t, how could I prove your so-called innocence?” I said calmly and stopped the recording. “If this audio went to the police, or got posted online, what do you think would happen?” Cold sweat beaded on Zeke’s forehead. He knew that once the recording came out, Snow would be finished, and he would be dragged down with her for interfering with justice. He clenched his fists until his nails almost dug into his palms. After a long silence, he said through clenched teeth, “Fine, you win.” He turned and went into the study, then came back with a document. It was the share transfer agreement my father had signed years ago. He slammed it into my face. The sharp edge scraped my cheek, and it sent a burning pain through my skin. “Take it. Are you happy now?” Chapter 4 I picked up the agreement and tore it to pieces without even looking at it. “Is that all?” Zeke’s chest heaved violently. After a tense moment, he slowly closed his eyes. “Fine, I’ll agree. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the company and submit my resignation. “But don’t get too happy.” He opened his eyes sharply and glared at me. “Without me in charge, the company will go bankrupt in less than three months. Don’t come crying back to me then.” With that, he grabbed the stunned Snow and stormed out, slamming the door behind them. The living room was empty. I was alone. I walked to the window and watched the black Porsche vanish down the street. A cold smile played on my lips. Zeke had underestimated me. I would not beg him. I would make sure he ended up with nothing. The next day, Zeke kept his promise and handed in his resignation. At the same time, I got a call from the police. “Ms. Carter? There are some new developments in your father-in-law’s case. “We need you and the driver’s family to come to the station for the final determination of responsibility.” I hesitated for a moment, then said, “All right. I’ll be there right away.” When I arrived at the station, Zeke and Snow were already there. Snow’s parents had come with them. The moment Snow saw me, she ducked behind her mother and peered at me nervously. Her mother, Linda Thompson, quickly wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. She said, “Ms. Carter, we’re truly sorry. “Snow has always been naive and timid. This was purely an accident. “We’re willing to offer compensation. Name the amount, and we’ll pay it.” Her father, Peter Lowell, nodded as well. He carried himself like a wealthy, self-assured man. “Yes, Ms. Carter. Money can solve anything. “As soon as you sign this settlement agreement, we can transfer the funds to your account.” Their lawyer pushed an already prepared settlement agreement across the table to me. I glanced at it. The compensation section showed a seven-figure sum. To them, a human life was worth only that much. Zeke stood to the side with his arms crossed and watched with a cold expression. He even spoke as if he cared. “Sophia, Snow’s parents are sincere. Just sign it. It’s better for everyone. “With this money, you’ll be set for life. “As for the company, don’t fight it. Sell it to me, and I’ll give you even more. Isn’t that a better deal?” I looked at his entitled, overconfident face and let out a laugh. “Zeke, you’re mistaken.” “What do you mean?” “I’m not the one who should be signing this settlement agreement.” Zeke’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean? Your father is dead. You’re his only legal heiress. If not you, then who?” “Of course, the one whose father died should be the one to sign it.” As soon as I spoke, the meeting room door opened. Officer Zayden, the officer handling the case, walked in. Behind him was a middle-aged couple who looked anxious. The moment Zeke saw them, his face went completely still. I stepped forward and took the couple’s arms. “Mom, Dad, you’re here.” My parents looked at me, worried. “Sophia, we came as soon as Officer Zayden called. Are you alright?” “I’m fine.” I gently patted their hands. The meeting room fell silent. Snow’s family and their lawyer stared, stunned. Zeke looked like he had seen a ghost. His face drained of color until it was pale as paper. “Your father… Your father can’t still be alive!”