Chapter 8 - THE DOCTOR WHO NEVER TREATED ME
My complete military medical record showed no dissociative disorder, psychosis, or history of violent episodes.
Dr. Halpern based his affidavit on conversations with Gregory and “observations at family events.”
He had signed it two days before the wedding.
Before the bat.
Before the cabin.
Before Gregory claimed to fear me.
Naomi obtained a draft guardianship petition from court metadata. It would have allowed Gregory to manage North Ridge if I were hospitalized or declared temporarily incompetent.
The petition referred to a “wedding-night psychiatric event” in the future tense.
They had prepared a diagnosis for an incident that had not happened.
The court denied the guardianship and referred Halpern’s affidavit to the medical board.
Victor’s attorneys argued it had been precautionary.
Then laboratory testing found a sedative in residue from my wedding champagne glass.
I remembered taking one sip before Gregory removed it and brought me water.
His glass contained none.
The concentration could have impaired coordination and memory if I had finished the drink.
It could not prove who placed it there.
A server recalled Victor instructing staff to use a marked glass for the bride because of “allergies.”
The marked glass had a tiny gold dot beneath the base.
The same dot appeared in wedding photographs.
The property court froze North Ridge transfers until fraud claims were resolved.
Victor retaliated through the county board, seeking emergency access across my land based on economic necessity.
For the first time, I could lose control without signing anything.
Then a retired Hartman security officer contacted Detective Sloan.
He recognized the ledger terms.
“Phase Two begins when the woman resists,” he said.
“What happens in Phase Two?” Sloan asked.
The officer looked at the recorder.
“They make her reaction more useful than what was done to her.”
Before he could explain further, his attorney ended the interview.
That night, police recovered an old hard drive from the boathouse wall.
Three folders were visible before encryption locked them.
ELEANOR.
May you like
LAUREN.
ASHLYNN.
