Chapter 8 - The Explanation
Gordon was finally allowed into Jocelyn’s room under one condition.
Naomi remained present.
He entered carrying no flowers.
No gifts.
Only guilt.
He looked smaller than Jocelyn remembered.
“I’m glad you’re alive,” he said.
She studied his face.
“Are you?”
He flinched.
“Of course.”
“You sounded more concerned about the bank.”
“I panicked.”
“You ignored the hospital.”
“I didn’t understand how serious it was.”
“You heard the words life-threatening emergency.”
“My mother said you were trying to punish us.”
Jocelyn almost smiled.
“And you believed her.”
“I was confused.”
“No. You were comfortable.”
Gordon sat in the chair beside the bed.
“I made mistakes.”
Naomi placed a recording device on the table.
“This conversation will be documented.”
Gordon looked at her.
“Is that necessary?”
“Yes,” Jocelyn replied.
He turned back to his wife.
“I never wanted you hurt.”
“But you did not care enough to prevent it.”
“That’s not fair.”
“The truth often feels unfair to the person hearing it.”
Gordon rubbed his hands together.
“The transfers were investments.”
“In your mother’s house?”
“It was supposed to become a rental property.”
“With Cassandra Vale?”
His face emptied.
Jocelyn watched the exact moment he understood that she knew.
“It isn’t what it looks like.”
“That sentence has never once been followed by something innocent.”
“Cassandra worked for me.”
“She is listed as your partner on a mortgage application.”
“It was easier to qualify with her credit.”
“She gave birth to a son.”
Gordon looked toward the window.
Jocelyn felt strangely calm.
“Is he yours?”
Gordon said nothing.
“Look at me.”
He did.
“Is the child yours?”
“Yes.”
The word did not break her.
The years before it had already done the breaking.
“How long?”
“Two years.”
Naomi’s pen stopped.
Jocelyn looked at the ceiling for one second, then back at him.
“You used my money to buy a house for your mistress and your child.”
“I was going to repay it.”
“With what income?”
“My company was close to a major contract.”
“Your company has not earned a profit in three years.”
Gordon leaned forward.
“I felt invisible.”
Jocelyn stared at him.
“You felt invisible?”
“You were always at the hospital. Everyone admired you. At events, people asked me what it was like being married to Dr. Jocelyn Hale. No one cared what I was building.”
“So you stole from me.”
“I borrowed.”
“You forged access.”
“My mother handled some paperwork.”
“You had an affair.”
“I was lonely.”
“I nearly died alone.”
The sentence silenced the room.
Gordon’s eyes filled.
“I’m sorry.”
Jocelyn’s voice remained steady.
“Are you sorry that you betrayed me, or sorry that the card declined?”
He could not answer.
She reached toward Naomi.
“Give him the papers.”
Naomi handed Gordon the divorce petition.
He stared at the first page.
“You don’t mean this.”
“I do.”
“We can fix it.”
“No.”
“Jocelyn, please.”
She looked at the man she had loved for fourteen years.
“The woman who wanted to fix us called you from the side of the road.”
May you like
He lowered his head.
“She died before the ambulance arrived.”
