The wind screamed past Sophia’s ears as she plummeted toward the earth, her husband’s face growing smaller in the helicopter door above her. The last thing she saw was Richard’s cold smile not the loving expression of a man who had just lost his wife in a tragic accident, but the calculated look of someone who had just committed murder. Three seconds earlier she had been leaning out of the helicopter, marveling at the beautiful landscape below.
Richard had suggested this romantic helicopter ride for their fifth wedding anniversary, and she had been so touched by the gesture. He rarely did anything romantic anymore, always buried in his work at the insurance company where he was a senior claims adjuster. »Look down there honey,» he had said, his voice barely audible over the helicopter’s rotor blades.
»See how small everything looks from up here?» She had smiled and leaned forward, pressing her face against the cool glass. That’s when she felt his hands on her back not gentle, not loving but firm and deliberate. The safety harness that should have been securing her had been loosened, she realized too late.
The door that should have been locked was suddenly open. Richard what are you? But the words were lost in the wind as his hands pushed hard against her shoulders, sending her tumbling into the vast emptiness below. For a moment she couldn’t process what was happening.
This had to be an accident. Her husband of five years wouldn’t couldn’t do this to her. As she fell, fragments of the past few months flashed through her mind.
Richard’s sudden interest in life insurance policies. His insistence that they both increase their coverage for protection. The way he had been working late more often, the smell of perfume that wasn’t hers lingering on his clothes.
The credit card bills showing expensive dinners at restaurants they had never been to together. The ground rushed up to meet her and Sophia closed her eyes, preparing for the end. She thought about her childhood, growing up in Atlanta with her grandmother who had raised her after her parents died.
She thought about her job as a nurse, all the patients she had helped, all the lives she had touched. She thought about the business degree she had earned through night school, the dream she had put on hold when she married Richard. But instead of the hard ground she felt the sharp branches of a massive oak tree breaking her fall.
Pain shot through her body as she crashed through the canopy, each branch slowing her descent. Her left arm snapped with a sickening crack, and she felt her ribs break as she hit a thick branch. Blood ran down her face from cuts made by the smaller branches, but she was alive.
She landed hard in a pile of leaves at the base of the tree, every bone in her body screaming in pain. Above her she could hear the helicopter circling, probably making sure she was dead. She forced herself to remain still, to play dead, even though every instinct told her to scream for help.
The helicopter circled three more times before flying away. Only then did Sophia allow herself to move, to take inventory of her injuries. Her left arm was definitely broken, she had several broken ribs and she was bleeding from dozens of cuts.
But she was alive and more importantly she was angry. She managed to crawl to the edge of the small clearing where she had landed. In the distance she could see a farmhouse with smoke coming from the chimney…
Using her good arm she began dragging herself toward it, leaving a trail of blood behind her. Each movement sent waves of pain through her body, but she refused to give up. It took her two hours to reach the farmhouse.
The elderly couple who lived there, the Johnsons, found her collapsed on their porch. They called 911 immediately, and within minutes, an ambulance was rushing her to the nearest hospital. As the paramedics worked on her, Sophia made a decision.
She wouldn’t tell anyone the truth about what had happened not yet. She would let Richard think his plan had worked, let him believe she was dead. And then, when he least expected it, she would destroy him.
The last thing she remembered before losing consciousness was the paramedic asking her what had happened. Accident, she whispered through cracked lips. Helicopter accident.
But it wasn’t an accident, and Richard was about to learn that some falls don’t kill you they just make you stronger. Sophia woke up in the hospital three days later to find a nurse checking her for. The woman’s name tag read, Patricia, and she had kind eyes that reminded Sophia of her grandmother.
Well hello there miracle girl, Patricia said with a warm smile. You gave us quite a scare. The doctors weren’t sure you were going to make it.
Sophia tried to speak but her throat was raw and dry. Patricia quickly brought her a cup of water with a straw, helping her take small sips. The cool liquid felt like heaven against her parched throat.
What happened to me? Sophia asked though she remembered everything with painful clarity. Helicopter crash, Patricia said consulting her chart. You fell from about 200 feet according to the rescue team.
It’s a miracle you survived. That old oak tree saved your life the branches broke your fall just enough. Sophia nodded slowly processing the information.
My husband, is he. He’s fine honey. Been here every day since they brought you in.
The poor man is beside himself with grief and worry. He’s down in the cafeteria right now but I can call him if you’d like. No, Sophia said quickly.
Not yet. I need. I need some time to remember everything.
Patricia nodded understandingly. You have a severe concussion so some confusion is normal. Take your time.
Your husband mentioned that you two were on a romantic helicopter ride for your anniversary when something went wrong with the aircraft. He said you were thrown from the helicopter when it hit some turbulence. Sophia’s jaw tightened.
So that was going to be his story. She had been thrown from the helicopter due to mechanical failure or turbulence. Not pushed by her loving husband who wanted to cash in on her life insurance policy.
The pilot, she asked. What happened to him? He’s in the ICU but he’s stable. Managed to crash land the helicopter in a field about a mile from where you fell.
He’s been asking about you actually. Keeps saying he doesn’t understand what happened, that everything was working fine one moment and then. Patricia trailed off, seeming to realize she might be saying too much.
Well I’m sure the investigators will figure it all out. The important thing is that you’re alive and recovering. After Patricia left, Sophia stared at the ceiling, her mind racing.
The pilot was alive which meant there was a witness to what had really happened. But would he have seen Richard push her? The helicopter had been small with the pilot facing forward. He might not have seen anything.
She needed to be careful. If Richard suspected she knew the truth, he might try to finish what he started. For now, she would play the part of the confused, grateful wife who had survived a terrible accident.
When Richard finally came to visit that evening, Sophia was ready for him. She had practiced her expression in the reflection of the window confused, loving, slightly scared. She had thought about what she would say, how she would act.
Oh Richard, she said weakly when he entered the room. I was so scared. I thought I was going to die.
Richard’s face was a mask of concern, but Sophia could see something else in his eyes disappointment? Frustration? He had been expecting to find her dead and instead she was very much alive. Thank God you’re okay, he said moving to her bedside and taking her good hand. I was so worried.
When I saw you fall from the helicopter, I thought I had lost you forever. His hand felt cold against hers and she had to fight the urge to pull away. This was the same hand that had pushed her to what should have been her death.
I don’t remember much, she lied. Just falling and then waking up here. The nurse said there was some kind of mechanical problem with the helicopter.
That’s what the investigators think, Richard said smoothly. The pilot is still unconscious so we don’t know for sure what happened. But the important thing is that you’re alive and going to be okay.
They talked for a few more minutes with Richard playing the role of the devoted husband perfectly. He told her about how he had been beside himself with worry, how he had barely left the hospital since she was brought in. He mentioned that he had already contacted their insurance company about the accident, just to make sure all her medical bills would be covered.
After he left, Sophia lay in her hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. She knew she couldn’t stay here much longer. As soon as she was discharged, she would need to disappear before Richard realized she knew the truth about what he had done.
She began making plans. She would need help and she knew exactly who to call. Her best friend from nursing school Nicole, who now worked as a private investigator in Miami.
Nicole had always been suspicious of Richard, had warned Sophia that something seemed off about him. She would help. The next morning Sophia asked Patricia for a private moment.
I need to make a phone call, she said. But I don’t want my husband to know about it. Can you help me? Patricia looked concerned.
Is everything okay honey? You seem troubled. I just need to call an old friend, Sophia said. Someone who can help me remember some things about the accident.
I’m still so confused about what happened. Patricia nodded and brought her a phone. When she was sure she was alone, Sophia dialed Nicole’s number.
Nicole it’s Sophia. I need your help and I need you to trust me. Something terrible has happened and I think my husband tried to kill me.
Nicole arrived at the hospital the next day, disguised as a visiting nurse from another department. She was a tall woman with sharp features and an even sharper mind qualities that made her an excellent private investigator. I’ve been doing some digging since you called, Nicole said quietly as she pretended to check Sophia’s vitals…
Using her good arm she began dragging herself toward it, leaving a trail of blood behind her. Each movement sent waves of pain through her body, but she refused to give up. It took her two hours to reach the farmhouse.
The elderly couple who lived there, the Johnsons, found her collapsed on their porch. They called 911 immediately, and within minutes, an ambulance was rushing her to the nearest hospital. As the paramedics worked on her, Sophia made a decision.
She wouldn’t tell anyone the truth about what had happened not yet. She would let Richard think his plan had worked, let him believe she was dead. And then, when he least expected it, she would destroy him.
The last thing she remembered before losing consciousness was the paramedic asking her what had happened. Accident, she whispered through cracked lips. Helicopter accident.
But it wasn’t an accident, and Richard was about to learn that some falls don’t kill you they just make you stronger. Sophia woke up in the hospital three days later to find a nurse checking her for. The woman’s name tag read, Patricia, and she had kind eyes that reminded Sophia of her grandmother.
Well hello there miracle girl, Patricia said with a warm smile. You gave us quite a scare. The doctors weren’t sure you were going to make it.
Sophia tried to speak but her throat was raw and dry. Patricia quickly brought her a cup of water with a straw, helping her take small sips. The cool liquid felt like heaven against her parched throat.
What happened to me? Sophia asked though she remembered everything with painful clarity. Helicopter crash, Patricia said consulting her chart. You fell from about 200 feet according to the rescue team.
It’s a miracle you survived. That old oak tree saved your life the branches broke your fall just enough. Sophia nodded slowly processing the information.
My husband, is he. He’s fine honey. Been here every day since they brought you in.
The poor man is beside himself with grief and worry. He’s down in the cafeteria right now but I can call him if you’d like. No, Sophia said quickly.
Not yet. I need. I need some time to remember everything.
Patricia nodded understandingly. You have a severe concussion so some confusion is normal. Take your time.
Your husband mentioned that you two were on a romantic helicopter ride for your anniversary when something went wrong with the aircraft. He said you were thrown from the helicopter when it hit some turbulence. Sophia’s jaw tightened.
So that was going to be his story. She had been thrown from the helicopter due to mechanical failure or turbulence. Not pushed by her loving husband who wanted to cash in on her life insurance policy.
The pilot, she asked. What happened to him? He’s in the ICU but he’s stable. Managed to crash land the helicopter in a field about a mile from where you fell.
He’s been asking about you actually. Keeps saying he doesn’t understand what happened, that everything was working fine one moment and then. Patricia trailed off, seeming to realize she might be saying too much.
Well I’m sure the investigators will figure it all out. The important thing is that you’re alive and recovering. After Patricia left, Sophia stared at the ceiling, her mind racing.
The pilot was alive which meant there was a witness to what had really happened. But would he have seen Richard push her? The helicopter had been small with the pilot facing forward. He might not have seen anything.
She needed to be careful. If Richard suspected she knew the truth, he might try to finish what he started. For now, she would play the part of the confused, grateful wife who had survived a terrible accident.
When Richard finally came to visit that evening, Sophia was ready for him. She had practiced her expression in the reflection of the window confused, loving, slightly scared. She had thought about what she would say, how she would act.
Oh Richard, she said weakly when he entered the room. I was so scared. I thought I was going to die.
Richard’s face was a mask of concern, but Sophia could see something else in his eyes disappointment? Frustration? He had been expecting to find her dead and instead she was very much alive. Thank God you’re okay, he said moving to her bedside and taking her good hand. I was so worried.
When I saw you fall from the helicopter, I thought I had lost you forever. His hand felt cold against hers and she had to fight the urge to pull away. This was the same hand that had pushed her to what should have been her death.
I don’t remember much, she lied. Just falling and then waking up here. The nurse said there was some kind of mechanical problem with the helicopter.
That’s what the investigators think, Richard said smoothly. The pilot is still unconscious so we don’t know for sure what happened. But the important thing is that you’re alive and going to be okay.
They talked for a few more minutes with Richard playing the role of the devoted husband perfectly. He told her about how he had been beside himself with worry, how he had barely left the hospital since she was brought in. He mentioned that he had already contacted their insurance company about the accident, just to make sure all her medical bills would be covered.
After he left, Sophia lay in her hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. She knew she couldn’t stay here much longer. As soon as she was discharged, she would need to disappear before Richard realized she knew the truth about what he had done.
She began making plans. She would need help and she knew exactly who to call. Her best friend from nursing school Nicole, who now worked as a private investigator in Miami.
Nicole had always been suspicious of Richard, had warned Sophia that something seemed off about him. She would help. The next morning Sophia asked Patricia for a private moment.
I need to make a phone call, she said. But I don’t want my husband to know about it. Can you help me? Patricia looked concerned.
Is everything okay honey? You seem troubled. I just need to call an old friend, Sophia said. Someone who can help me remember some things about the accident.
I’m still so confused about what happened. Patricia nodded and brought her a phone. When she was sure she was alone, Sophia dialed Nicole’s number.
Nicole it’s Sophia. I need your help and I need you to trust me. Something terrible has happened and I think my husband tried to kill me.
Nicole arrived at the hospital the next day, disguised as a visiting nurse from another department. She was a tall woman with sharp features and an even sharper mind qualities that made her an excellent private investigator. I’ve been doing some digging since you called, Nicole said quietly as she pretended to check Sophia’s vitals…
And girl you’re not going to like what I found. She handed Sophia a folder hidden inside a medical chart. Richard took out a 2 million dollar life insurance policy on you 6 months ago.
He’s been making payments from a separate account you don’t know about. Sophia’s heart sank even though she had expected this. Seeing the proof in black and white made it real in a way that hurt worse than all her physical injuries combined.
There’s more, Nicole continued. He’s been having an affair with his secretary Amanda Williams. I have photos of them together at hotels, restaurants, even at your house when you were working late shifts at the hospital.
The photos were like knife wounds to her heart. There was Richard, the man she had loved and trusted, kissing another woman in their bed. Amanda was younger than Sophia with long blonde hair and a figure that came from expensive gym memberships.
In the photos Richard looked happier than Sophia had seen him in years. How long? Sophia asked. At least 8 months maybe longer.
I talked to some people at his office. The affair is pretty much an open secret there. Everyone knows except you.
Sophia felt tears burning her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She had cried enough over Richard. Now it was time for action.
I need you to help me disappear, she said. Let Richard think I died from my injuries. I want him to feel safe, secure in his new life with Amanda.
And then I want to destroy him. Nicole smiled grimly. I was hoping you’d say that.
I’ve already started working on it. I have a contact who can help us fake your death someone who works in the medical examiner’s office. We can make it look like you died from internal injuries, complications from the fall.
Over the next two days they worked out the details. Nicole would help Sophia escape from the hospital and disappear. They would stage her death to look like she had died suddenly from internal bleeding related to her injuries.
Richard would be free to collect the insurance money and live his new life with Amanda. But while he was enjoying his newfound freedom, Sophia would be building her own new life and planning his destruction. I want to know everything about him, Sophia told Nicole.
His work, his finances, his weaknesses. I want to know more about Richard than he knows about himself. Nicole nodded.
I’m already on it. Did you know he’s been embezzling money from his company? Small amounts but regular. He’s been using the money to pay for his dates with Amanda.
This was news to Sophia. Richard had always been so careful with money, always lecturing her about budgeting and saving. To learn that he had been stealing from his employer was another betrayal.
His company is Hartwell Insurance, right? Sophia asked. Where he works as a senior claims adjuster? That’s right. It’s a mid-size company family owned.
The owner, Mr. Hartwell is getting close to retirement. Word is he’s looking to sell the company in the next year or two. An idea began forming in Sophia’s mind.
Find out everything you can about Hartwell Insurance. I want to know their finances, their client list, their vulnerabilities. If Richard thinks he’s going to benefit from my death, he’s about to learn how wrong he is.
The night before her staged death, Sophia lay in her hospital bed, thinking about the life she was leaving behind. She had been Sophia Martinez, a nurse who had put her husband’s dreams before her own. She had worked extra shifts to help pay for his business school, had put her own education on hold to support his career.
But that woman was dead now, killed when Richard pushed her from that helicopter. The woman who would emerge from this hospital would be someone entirely different someone with the resources and determination to make Richard pay for what he had done. Nicole returned with the final details of their plan.
Everything is set. Tomorrow morning, you’ll officially die from complications related to your injuries. The funeral will be in three days.
Richard has already started planning it he’s going with a closed casket, which makes our job easier. And after that? After that, you become Elena Rodriguez, a wealthy widow who made her fortune in real estate investments. I’ve been building your new identity for months bank accounts, credit history, even a backstory about your late husband’s business empire.
You’ll have enough money to do whatever you want. Where did the money come from? Nicole smiled. Let’s just say that over the years, I’ve helped a lot of wealthy women escape bad situations.
Some of them were very grateful and wanted to help other women in similar circumstances. Think of it as a fund for women seeking justice. Sophia felt a surge of gratitude for her friend.
I don’t know how to thank you. Just promise me you’ll be careful, Nicole said. Richard is dangerous.
He tried to kill you once and he won’t hesitate to try again if he discovers you’re alive. I’ll be careful, Sophia promised. But I won’t be afraid.
Not anymore. That night as she prepared for her symbolic death, Sophia thought about the woman she had been and the woman she was about to become. The old Sophia had been trusting, loving, willing to sacrifice her own dreams for the man she loved.
The new Sophia would be smart, calculating, and absolutely ruthless in her pursuit of justice. Richard had made a fatal mistake when he pushed her from that helicopter. He had awakened something in her that she didn’t even know existed a fierce desire for revenge that would consume her until she had destroyed him completely… to be continued in the first comment
