Chapter 6
Julian changed tactics when shouting failed.
He became wounded.
That was another performance Vivienne knew well.
His shoulders lowered.
His voice cracked.
He looked through the glass doors like a husband broken by misunderstanding.
“Vivienne,” he called. “Please. Tell them.”
She turned her head slowly toward him.
He pressed one hand against the glass.
“We had an argument. You fell. You were upset. You know how you get.”
There it was.
The old phrase.
You know how you get.
He had used it after insults.
After slammed doors.
After bruises hidden beneath sleeves.
After dinner parties where he smiled too long at other women and told Vivienne she was imagining disrespect.
Mara looked at Vivienne.
Vivienne’s mouth was dry.
“Record that.”
Mara tapped the tablet.
Julian saw the movement.
His face changed.
“She can’t authorize anything right now,” he shouted. “She’s medicated.”
Mara looked up at him with calm precision.
“Her attending physician has confirmed she is competent to make legal decisions.”
Julian’s jaw tightened.
“That’s not possible.”
Vivienne’s voice came weakly from the bed.
“I know exactly what I’m signing.”
The room stilled.
The confirmation tone sounded again.
Not loud.
Just enough.
Julian stared at the tablet like it had betrayed him.
Mara lowered it.
“Your parents’ mortgage guarantee has been withdrawn.”
For the first time, Julian stopped pretending concern.
He looked confused.
Then alarmed.
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Because if Vivienne could still move one legal document from an ICU bed, she could move more.
Read the full story 👉 Julian tried to call Vivienne incompetent, but the attorney had already confirmed she could sign.
