Pulling the Plug: The Widow's Revenge

My husband is worth fifty million dollars, but only if he stops breathing right now.

He lies in the ICU, a mess of tubes and shattered bones. The doctor says theres a one percent chance of survival. A miracle, he calls it.

I call it a risk Im not willing to take.

Let him go, I tell the doctor, my voice trembling with practiced grief. "I don't want him to suffer."

I sign the papers. The machine stops beeping.

Six hours later, Sebastian is nothing but five pounds of gray ash in a marble jar. No autopsy. No investigation. And most importantlyno will.

I stroke the cold urn and smile.

Two-thirds of everything is mine. Finally, he did something right.

Chapter 1

My husband, Sebastian, died in a car crash.

He left me a massive fortune. Is there a man on earth more thoughtful than Sebastian?

Reflecting on his generosity, I figured I should return the favor. So I instructed Dr. Price at the fancy nursing home where his parents, Roger and Dolores, were staying. I told him to give them every top-tier exam and supplement available. The works.

Their son dying is a huge shock. What if the old folks cant handle it? I had to make sure their bodies were ready for the blow.

And then there was Piper. His little mistress.

When Sebastian was alive, I looked the other way. But now that hes dead? Time to collect.

I took a moving crew straight to her apartment.

"Take it all," I ordered.

Piper wasnt home. Perfect.

We sealed everything up. Boxed. Hauled out.

By the time we left, the only thing remaining in the apartmentaside from some personal toiletrieswas the bed.

I didn't want that. Too dirty.

I spent the night sorting through what the movers brought back. It was a lot. I kept what I wanted and sold the rest for scrap.

The junk hauler had just pulled away when the police knocked on my door.

"Are you Genevieve?" an officer asked. "We have a report of burglary."

"Officer, I'm innocent!" I cried, clutching my chest. "I follow the law!"

"Innocent or not, come down to the station. We need to clear this up."

I went. Why not? I hadnt stolen anything.

The moment I walked in, I saw Piper.

She jumped up, screaming. "Genevieve, you thief! You stole everything from my house!"

My brow furrowed as I watched her bounce around with that seven-month-pregnant belly.

"Easy there," I said. "Jump too hard and that baby might pop out. Don't try pinning that on me."

"How dare you curse my baby!"

Piper didnt listen. She got louder, lunging at me.

What could I do? I looked for help.

I darted behind the nearest officer. "Officer, help! She's trying to use her baby to frame me! You're my witness, protect me!"

The officers pulled Piper back, looking at me like I was an alien.

"You guys impressed by my legal awareness?" I asked. "No need to thank me. Just knowing my rights."

Their expressions got even weirder.

"Sit down," one said tiredly. "Let's talk about the burglary."

Inside the interrogation room, the detective wasnt friendly.

"Last night at 8 PM. What were you doing at The Grandview?"

"Cleaning house."

"Cleaning house? Was it yours to clean?" He slammed a stack of photos on the table. "The owner pressed charges. You got some nerve, bringing a whole moving crew. Think you're in a movie?"

Theyd clearly never met anyone this arrogant. They looked ready to laugh out of sheer disbelief.

"But the apartment is mine," I said.

I opened my bag.

"Deed. Land title. Bank transfer records. ID." I laid them out one by one. "Anything missing?"

The detective froze. He checked every document, letter by letter.

Finally, he had to admit it. I was the owner.

They brought Piper in. They called the building manager, Phil, too.

"What is going on here?" the detective asked.

"Ms. Piper lives there," Phil said. "I see her all the time. She's the resident."

"Genevieve broke into my home and stole my things!" Piper shrieked.

Chapter 2

I smirked, ice in my veins.

"Piper, you've got some nerve. You were homeless. Sebastian and I took pity on you. We let you stay there. Does borrowing something make it yours?"

I leaned in.

"Check your conscience, honey. Youve lived there for years. Have you paid a single cent in rent?"

Pipers face went pale.

"The apartment isn't mine," she stammered, "but the things inside are! Officer, she stole my property!"

"The nerve."

Slap.

I dropped another stack of receipts on the table.

"Officer, renovation lists. Invoices. Screenshots of furniture orders. Payment records. Feel free to verify."

I turned my gaze back to Piper.

"Your dirty laundry? Your smelly socks? I threw those out before I moved a thing. The furniture? The appliances? The cabinets? Which one of those has your name on it?"

The officer stared coldly at Piper.

"You said she stole your property. Make a list. What exactly is missing?"

Piper grabbed a pen, teeth clenched.

I let out a soft, dark laugh. "Piper, you havent worked in five years. Im dying to know what valuable assets a broke charity case like you could possibly lose."

The blood drained from her face. She froze.

The pen hovered over the paper, unmoving.

I sat back, relaxed. I knew exactly what was in that apartment.

Sebastian had been plotting to divorce me for six months. Hed been moving assets like a rat hoarding crumbs. Cash transferred through a dozen accounts, all converted into gold bars.

Sitting right inside the safe in that apartment. A safe hidden inside a built-in cabinet.

I found it last night. Now? It was safely stashed in a secure location.

I wasnt afraid of Piper writing it down. If she did, who would believe her? A squatter with millions in gold bullion? Please. Shed look insane.

In the end, Piper mumbled something about being too panicked by the mess to notice her clothes were already outside.

The police tore into her for wasting their time. Piper stood there, jaw tight, swallowing her rage, unable to say a word.

I got a lecture too. Something about notifying tenants before moving furniture. "Wasting police resources."

I nodded like a bobblehead. "My mistake. Won't happen again."

We walked out of the station together.

"I'm selling the place," I told her. "You have twenty-four hours. Move out, or pay rent. Ten grand a month."

"That's robbery!" Piper screamed.

I gave her a side-eye. "The Grandview. Prime location. Massive square footage. You think ten grand is high? Look it up."

She knew I wasn't bluffing.

"Genevieve, don't get too cocky," she hissed. "I'm telling Sebastian. Just you wait."

"Oh? Is that so?" I smiled. "You've called him already, haven't you? Did he pick up?"

Pipers grip tightened on her phone. Her face shifted.

My smile widened.

"Save your battery. He won't answer. He's a pile of ash right now."

Piper let out a shrill scream.

"Genevieve! You are evil! How dare you curse him! You loved him for years! He's your husband!"

I covered my ears, wincing at the noise. When she finally stopped shrieking, I lowered my hands.

"You know he's my husband? Then why are you so worked up?"

I pulled a paper from my bag.

"Don't believe me? Check the news. Car crash, yesterday, 10 AM. Or herehis cremation certificate. Feel free to call the crematorium."

Chapter 3

I shoved the document into Pipers chest.

I got in my car and floored it.

In the rearview mirror, I saw her clutch her stomach and crumble to the pavement. A shrill scream faded behind me.

I pulled out my phone to dial 911.

Then paused. Nah.

Shes right in front of the precinct. The cops can handle it. Maybe shell get a free ride in a cruiser. Save the ambulance fee.

I just saved the healthcare system a fortune. Im a saint, really.

Back home. Phone off. Hot bath. Steak dinner. Deep sleep.

The intercom buzzed, shattering my peace.

"Ms. Sterling? There's a couple here claiming to be your in-laws. They want to see you."

Doloress screeching voice pierced through the speaker. "Genevieve! You heartless witch! Sebastian is barely cold and you burned him?! Why didn't you let us see him? You poison! Get out here!"

I inspected my manicure, bored. "No entry."

This villa was mine. Bought with my money. The guards didn't know Roger and Dolores from Adam.

I hung up. Checked my phone. Hundreds of missed calls.

Delete All. Power off.

Next morning. Knock, knock.

The police again.

"You're being accused of murder. Come with us."

"Murder?" I gasped. "Officer, I am a pillar of the community! Im innocent!"

The cops eye twitched. "Just come in for questioning."

I went. Why not? I didn't kill anyone. A little chat never hurt.

Station. Piper, Roger, Dolores. The unholy trinity.

Dolores lunged the second she saw me. "You venomous snake! You didn't let me see my son one last time! You deserve to die!"

She was energetic. I watched her bounce with satisfaction. Those expensive supplements Dr. Price pumped into her were clearly working wonders.

"Easy, Mom," I said, acting worried. "Don't jump so hard. Your old bones might snap. Don't blame me if you break a hip."

"You killed my son! And you dare curse me!"

Dolores and Piper were cut from the same cloth. Hysterical. Deaf to reason. She charged again, wailing like a banshee.

What could I do?

I sought protection.

I darted behind the nearest officer.

"Officer, help!" I cowered behind his uniform. "She's using her status as my mother-in-law to assault me! This is domestic violence! That's a crime! Protect me!"

The officers peeled Dolores off. They looked at me like I was a headache they couldn't cure.

"You guys impressed I know about DV laws?" I asked. "No need to thank me. Just doing my civic duty. Spreading legal awareness."

Their expressions grew complicated.

"Sit down," the detective barked. "They reported you for murder. Let's clear that up first."

Small room. Bad lighting. Unfriendly detective.

He slammed a paper onto the metal table.

"Your in-laws provided the accident report. Sebastians brakes failed. They claim you tampered with the car. What do you have to say?"

"I say they're full of it."

I defended myself instantly, looking at him with genuine pity.

"Officer, my in-laws are elderly. They don't understand the law. Did they come here screaming without a shred of evidence, forcing you to drag me in here for nothing?"

The detectives face froze.

I felt for him. Truly.

Chapter 4

They glared at me.

"Your mother-in-law claims you handled the maintenance for Sebastian's car. Monthly. The last scheduled service was three days before the crash. Did you not notice anything wrong with the brakes?"

I looked him dead in the eye. "I didn't take it in this month. Something came up."

"What came up?" The detective leaned in. "Think carefully. If you're innocent, why cremate him so fast? Less than six hours from death to ash. Thats record time."

His gaze was sharp. It was the biggest red flag. Why rush the burning unless I was hiding evidence?

I blinked, the picture of sincerity. "Officer, do I need to check a horoscope to pick a cremation date?"

Silence filled the room. Thick. Awkward.

I just sat there, looking innocent.

"Answer the question!" Bad Cop barked. "Stop answering questions with questions!"

Good Cop sighed. "Look, if you can't explain this, it looks bad. You said youre a law-abiding citizen, right? Help us clear this up."

Well, I couldn't ignore the "law-abiding citizen" card. Time for the truth.

"Because I hated his guts!"

I slammed my hand on the table.

"I built this empire with him from nothing. We made it big, and that scumbag wanted a divorce! Three days ago? I was going to take the car in. But that bastard came home and started a fight, so I didn't go. Now he's dead. Why would I keep his corpse around? As a Christmas ornament?"

I leaned forward, voice dropping to a hiss.

"If it wasn't illegal, I would've used his ashes as fertilizer for the fungus in the backyard."

The detectives stared at my face. Searching for a lie. Finding none.

They expected excuses. I gave them pure, unadulterated rage.

"Check the security footage at The Grandview," I added. "Ask the manager. I beat Sebastian out of the house that day. Everyone saw it."

They brought the trio back in.

Piper marched in, smug. "Officer, you figured it out, right? Genevieve murdered him!"

The detective glared at her. "Who are you again? What is your relation to the deceased?"

Piper choked. Her face turned crimson. She looked at Dolores. "Auntie"

"She she's my goddaughter! Sebastian's godsister!" Dolores stammered, neck stiff.

"The law doesn't recognize 'god-sisters.' You have no relation to the deceased. Stop inserting yourself into the investigation."

Pipers face went from red to gray. She shut her mouth.

The police verified everything. Called the property manager. Pulled the tapes. Sebastian did come home. We did fight. Witnesses saw me throwing things at him as I kicked him out.

"The lack of maintenance was due to the deceased's own actions," the detective told Dolores. "The cremation was fast, but all paperwork is legal. You have the right to report suspicious activity, but making false accusations without evidence? Thats a crime. Do you understand?"

Dolores didn't care about the law. She only heard "not guilty."

"Genevieve! You butcher!" She lunged at me again. "You didn't even let me see his face!"

Muscle memory kicked in. I slid smoothly behind the nearest officer.

"Mom, let's be real," I shouted from my human shield. "It's not that I didn't want you to see him. He fell off a cliff. He was paste. Bloody paste. I barely held my lunch down. Could you handle that? If you saw him and had a heart attack, we'd be planning two funerals! I did it for you!"

"You dare curse me to die!"

Dolores and Piper. Truly spiritual twins. Same script, same screech.

The officer held Dolores back with one arm and glared at me. "Can you please shut up?"

Absolutely.

I zipped my lips. Model citizen.

Chapter 5

Dolores screamed until the cops threatened to arrest her for disturbing the peace. That finally shut her up.

Outside the station, she was still glaring daggers at me.

I ignored her and turned to Piper. "Did you move out? I'm listing the place."

"Genevieve, you are heartless!" Piper turned to Dolores, sobbing.

Dolores, clueless as ever, listened to Piper's tearful explanation. Then she exploded.

"Why are you kicking Piper out? That is my son's house! I say she stays!"

"That was our house," I corrected. "Now that your son is dead, it's an estate asset. I own two-thirds. You and Roger own one-third combined. How about I section off the bathroom and the balcony for her?"

I smiled, helpful as can be.

"Piper, you know the layout. That balcony is a 270-degree panoramic view. Definitely covers a third of the square footage. Toilet's on the house."

Dolores looked like she was about to stroke out. Her skeletal finger shook as she pointed at me, speechless.

I didn't have time for the old hag. I stepped around her and gave Piper the ultimatum.

"You have until tomorrow morning. If you're not out, I change the locks. Anything left inside is mine. Your call."

"Auntie, what do I do?" Piper wailed. "I'm pregnant"

Doloress face turned a sickly shade of green. She grabbed Pipers hand. "Don't be scared. You can't live just anywhere in your condition. Come stay with me at the nursing home. There are people to take care of you!"

She marched off, dragging Piper with her, chin high, like shed won a victory.

Piper glanced back, shooting me a smug look.

I hopped into my car, grinning from ear to ear.

Perfect.

That nursing home wasn't cheap. I hoped theyd stay there forever.

I dialed Dr. Price.

"My in-laws are bringing a guest. A pregnant woman. Very precious. Take good care of her. Run every test she wants. Only the best food and supplies. Put it on their tab."

Back home. Mobile spa service. Full body treatment. Red wine. Steak. Beauty sleep.

I also mailed them the legal asset division paperwork. Just to be helpful.

The next morning, I woke up to a lawyer's letter.

"Ms. Sterling, regarding Mr. Sebastian's estate Ms. Piper claims her unborn child is entitled to a share. She has filed a lawsuit. Please appear in court."

Court? Please. I survived a murder accusation. Splitting cash is a walk in the park.

Court day. I arrived on time.

Piper stood there, belly protruding like a shield. "My baby is Sebastian's. He deserves a share."

"Really?" I deadpanned. "I don't believe you."

"Why don't you believe me? It is his child!"

"Prove it." I smiled sweetly. "Paternity test. You show me that, and I promise you won't lose a cent."

Pipers face went gray. Her voice cracked. "You dare say that! You burned him to ash! How am I supposed to get a paternity test?!"

"Oh" I drawled. "So you don't have one."

I turned to the judge, Judge Stern. "Your Honor, she has no paternity test. What kind of lawsuit is this?"

Judge Stern frowned. "Is this a joke?"

"I have other evidence!" Piper stammered. "His parents can prove it!"

Dolores jumped up. "My son was with Piper! I know this is my grandson!"

I sighed. "Mom, learn the law. Unless you have a DNA test, nobodyand I mean nobodycan prove a son belongs to his father."

Chapter 6

Dolores looked confused, her brain short-circuiting from my logic.

Then Roger stepped up.

"You want a paternity test? We have one!"

He handed a document to the bailiff.

"This is a DNA test between me and the baby in Piper's belly," Roger announced proudly. "It proves we are related. Sebastian was my only son. Therefore, that baby is my son's seed."

Judge Stern glanced at the paper, then set it down.

"Inadmissible."

Roger exploded. "Why? It's a DNA test! It says right there, we share blood!"

"Dad, settle down," I said, stepping in to help the judge. "We just went over this. Paternity test. Paternity. That means father and son. Unless Sebastian rises from the dead to spit in a tube, no other test matters. Besides"

I smiled. A slow, dangerous smile.

"Are you sure Sebastian was your only son?"

Roger froze.

I dropped a thick file on the judge's bench. While Judge Stern flipped through it, I turned to Roger with a pained expression.

"I didn't want to air dirty laundry, but you forced my hand, Dad. You and Mom were happy once. But then Sebastian got rich. And you well, you got busy."

I counted on my fingers.

"Affairs with the ladies from the pickleball club. Caught in bed by the whole family. Oh, and that time I bailed you out of jail? Solicitation. You know hookers."

I pointed at the file. "The bail receipt is in there. Take a look."

Rogers face turned a deep, violent purple.

"Dad," I asked, voice dripping with sincerity, "are you absolutely certain you didn't leave Sebastian a little brother or two out there?"

"You're lying! I was always careful!" Roger roared.

"Oh" I nodded slowly. "Careful."

That was the match. Dolores was the powder keg.

"You dirty old man!" She lunged at him, claws out. "When were you arrested?! I didn't know! You shameless bastard!"

Chaos. Screaming. Scratching.

Even Judge Stern, who had seen it all, looked exhausted. The bailiffs had to physically separate them.

Roger, humiliated and furious, tried to calm her down. "We'll talk about this later! We're here for the grandson's money!"

Dolores blinked, realizing she was sabotaging the bag. She stopped screaming.

Judge Stern gave them a lecture. Burden of proof. Admissibility.

Bottom line: No Sebastian DNA, no proof the baby is his. Period.

Dolores went pale.

Piper, sensing defeat, switched tactics. She rubbed her eyes until they were red, then ran over to me.

"Genevieve, I know we wronged you. But Sebastian is gone. This baby is his last bloodline. You loved him once. Can you really be so cruel? Won't you leave something for his only child?"

Clever girl. She knew if I conceded, the judge wouldn't stop me.

"So pitiful," I cooed.

Piper, Roger, and Dolores lit up. Hope in their eyes.

"I don't believe you," I said.

Leaving the courthouse was a thrill. All three of them tried to jump me.

But hey, court marshals exist for a reason. I wasn't scared.

Back home. Eat. Drink. Vacation.

I came back refreshed, only to find another summons.

"Ms. Sterling? Your in-laws are suing you for concealing estate assets. Please appear in court."

Court again? Sure. Practice makes perfect.

I showed up on time.

This time, Roger and Dolores got smart. They hired a lawyer.

Funny. So did I.

Splitting millions? You don't DIY that. Even with perfect SAT math scores, I wasn't counting that much cash by hand.

Chapter 7

Dolores started the trial by declaring me guilty.

"She hid the money! My son had so much money, and she hid it all!"

She repeated this. Non-stop.

A vein throbbed in Judge Stern's temple. "Do I listen to you, or do I listen to your lawyer?"

Dolores looked at her lawyer, who looked like he was passing a kidney stone. She finally shut up.

The lawyer, desperate to prove his worth, unleashed a verbal tsunami.

Annual reports. Dividend ratios. Market values. He talked for thirty minutes straight. If we collected his spit, we could fill a fishbowl.

When he finally ran out of breath, my lawyer, Barrett, calmly pulled out a few manila envelopes.

"Company financial reports."

"Investment profit and loss statements."

"Government property value assessments."

Everything was laid out. Meticulous. Airtight.

I pay Barrett a fortune in retainer fees. Plus extra for cases like this. If he couldn't handle this circus, I'd demand a refund.

Besides, who did they think drafted that asset division list while I was on vacation?

Every loophole was plugged. Sealed tight.

The opposing lawyer looked like his kidney stone just got bigger.

"I paid you thousands!" Dolores screamed at him. "You are useless!"

She took matters into her own hands, pointing a bony finger at me.

"What about the villa? She has another villa! Why isn't that being split?"

Ah, the villa. Prime location. Massive lot. Three-story detached. Worth over ten million.

Even a third of that would be four or five million.

Barrett adjusted his glasses. He pulled out a single sheet of paper.

He pointed to one word.

"Gift."

Donor: Me and Sebastian.

Recipient: My parents.

Dolores went feral. She stomped her feet. "Impossible! My son never gave me a house that nice! Why would he give it to that witch's parents?! It's fake!"

I yawned. "Ask Piper if it's fake. She knows."

Piper was there, of course. Where there's money, there's Piper.

She sat at the plaintiff's table. When I pointed at her, her face drained of color.

She stayed silent, jaw tight.

Barrett didn't wait for her. He pulled out a USB drive and played it for the court.

Video evidence. Notarized.

There was Sebastian, alive and well, stating clearly that he agreed to the gift.

Dolores collapsed on the floor, wailing. "Genevieve! You vixen! What spell did you put on my son to make him give you everything?!"

I watched the show, amused. Barrett is a money-sucking machine, but he doesn't leave loose ends. If he did, I'd make him choke on every dollar I paid him.

I was enjoying the spectacle when Piper suddenly stood up.

"Genevieve did hide money! I can prove it!"

That was unexpected.

Dolores lit up. "Piper! Did you remember something? Tell us! Don't let that witch take our money!"

Piper gritted her teeth. She looked like she was swallowing glass.

"Sebastian just in case he converted some cash into gold bars. Genevieve took them!"

Judge Stern raised an eyebrow. The plot thickens.

"How much?"

Piper hesitated. Pressed her lips together.

"Fifteen million dollars"

Judge Stern blinked. "Say that again