Chapter 12 - THE HOSPITAL VISIT I COULDN’T REMEMBER
The date solved it.
Seven months earlier, I had fainted at work.
I remembered that.
What I didn't remember clearly was the emergency department afterward.
Julian picked me up.
He told me dehydration caused it.
Apparently, I had actually been evaluated at another hospital in the same healthcare system.
Records showed mild sedation in my bloodstream.
Zolpidem.
I had dismissed the episode because Julian told me the doctor said everything was normal.
The actual discharge paperwork recommended follow-up for unexplained sedative exposure.
Julian never gave me that paperwork.
He had signed for my discharge packet.
The pattern began earlier than we thought.
But the photographs raised another issue.
Julian wasn't in them.
Somebody else had taken them.
Monica traced payments in Julian's company records.
Monthly transfers to a private investigative firm.
The investigator, Paul Danner, cooperated once subpoenaed.
Julian hired him to document whether I was having an affair.
I wasn't.
Paul told Julian that.
Julian kept paying him anyway.
“Why?”
Paul looked uncomfortable.
“He changed the assignment.”
“To what?”
“Routine documentation.”
My schedule.
My habits.
Which entrance I used at work.
Where I parked.
Whether I traveled alone.
It sounded like preparation.
Paul insisted he never knew why.
Then he produced his emails.
One from Julian:
Need confirmation of where she goes when she's impaired.
Paul replied:
Impaired how?
Julian:
Migraines. Medication. She gets confused.
He had been constructing a version of me for other people.
Suicidal for Samantha.
Unstable for Rachel.
Medicated for Paul.
Generous investor for Thomas.
Supportive spouse for insurance companies.
Each person received a different Audrey.
The real Audrey was the only person excluded.
I began walking in parallel bars during rehabilitation.
Three steps the first day.
Five the next.
Painful.
Ugly.
Beautiful.
Julian had built his plan around permanent disability.
Every step felt like an argument against him.
Then Monica received an offer.
Julian wanted to settle the divorce.
He would waive claims to my inherited property.
Accept responsibility for the HELOC.
Transfer his interest in our house.
In exchange, I would agree not to pursue certain civil claims and would provide no voluntary assistance beyond what lawfully required processes demanded.
I read it twice.
“He's scared.”
Monica nodded.
“He should be.”
I rejected it.
Not because I wanted revenge.
Because he was offering me property rights that were already mine in exchange for silence he had no right to buy.
Then Monica turned to the final page.
Julian had included one unusual demand.
He wanted the yellow envelope returned.
The original one from my hospital file.
“Why?” I asked.
Monica frowned.
“There shouldn't be anything special about the physical envelope.”
Unless there was.
I took it from my document box.
Held it toward the window.
Something was visible beneath the glued inner seam.
May you like
A thin strip of paper.
The envelope had a second document hidden inside it.
