Chapter 10 - PLAN B
I barely slept.
Hospital.
That word followed me through the night.
As a paramedic, I understood how easily a false story could become a medical record.
Confusion.
Emotional instability.
Medication misuse.
A staged crisis.
One convincing family member could tell emergency staff almost anything.
Lorraine had already called my employer accusing me of abusing medication.
Andrew had drafted a protective petition labeling me dangerous.
Maybe Plan B wasn’t about hurting me.
Maybe it was about discrediting me.
That morning, investigators found the answer.
An email draft from Lorraine.
It had never been sent.
“If she refuses to cooperate, tell EMS she took pills. She works in medicine, so they’ll believe access is easy. Once she’s admitted, Andrew can handle the accounts.”
I read the sentence and felt numb.
They were going to fabricate an overdose.
Not kill me.
Erase my credibility.
Make me look suicidal or unstable.
Then use the confusion to take financial control.
For years, Lorraine had called me dramatic.
Now I understood why.
She had been building a description of me long before she needed it.
Rebecca filed emergency motions that afternoon.
Temporary exclusive use of the house.
Preservation of financial assets.
Restrictions on transferring joint property.
Andrew’s attorney fought everything.
His argument was almost insulting.
“This is a marital dispute being exaggerated by an emotional spouse.”
Rebecca placed the recordings on the table.
The room became quiet.
The judge listened to Andrew discussing forged documents.
Then Lorraine discussing making me look unstable.
The judge removed his glasses.
“Mr. Parker.”
Andrew stood.
“Your Honor.”
“Do you believe this is exaggerated?”
Andrew looked at his attorney.
His attorney looked like he wanted to disappear.
The judge granted every temporary protection Rebecca requested.
Andrew could not enter the house without agreement.
He could not sell or borrow against marital property.
He could not contact me except through counsel.
Lorraine had no right to return to the house.
When we stepped into the courthouse hallway, Andrew was waiting.
He couldn’t speak directly to me under the order.
But his face said plenty.
For the first time, he looked smaller than the man I had married.
Melissa and Daniel were also there for a related interview.
Andrew saw Melissa.
His expression twisted.
She stepped toward me instead.
“I’m cooperating.”
Andrew laughed bitterly.
“You’re unbelievable.”
Daniel moved between them.
“Careful.”
Andrew’s lawyer grabbed his arm.
“Walk away.”
Andrew did.
But Lorraine didn’t.
She stood near the elevator glaring at me.
Then she said loudly enough for everyone to hear,
“You stole everything from my son.”
I turned.
“No, Lorraine.”
“You did.”
“I paid for everything your son tried to steal.”
Her mouth trembled.
“You think you’re safe because of paperwork?”
Rebecca touched my arm.
“Claire.”
But Lorraine wasn’t finished.
She smiled.
A terrible smile.
“You still don’t know what Andrew did at the clinic.”
My stomach dropped.
“What did he do?”
Her smile widened.
Then the elevator doors opened.
May you like
She stepped inside.
And disappeared before answering.
