Greg turned back to me, his eyes wide, pleading, as though hoping I might extend him some lifeline. But there was nothing left to give. His betrayal had severed whatever fragile thread of loyalty might have remained. I felt a sense of liberation, as though a weight had been lifted from my chest, allowing me to breathe deeply for the first time in months.

“You know, Greg,” I said, my voice calm and steady, “freedom was never going to come from my life insurance. It was always about you setting yourself free from your greed and your lies. I hope now you realize just how trapped you really are.”