Chapter 5

The Medical Center, Neurology Department.

The corridor smelled strongly of antiseptic, and cold white fluorescent lights beat down on the pale walls.

I sat on a plastic bench, clutching a brown paper folder.

People passed by—anxious family members, suffering patients. But I felt entirely isolated from the world.

"Audrey Vance, Room 3." The nurse’s voice broke the silence.

I stood up, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.

Dr. Evans adjusted his glasses, looking at the brain MRI scans on his screen with a heavy frown.

"Mrs. Vance, your follow-up results are in." His voice was solemn.

I sat in the chair across from him, placing my hands on my knees, my nails digging into my palms.

"Has it gotten worse?" I heard my own voice tremble.

Dr. Evans sighed, handing me a printed diagnostic report.

"The hippocampal atrophy is significantly more pronounced than last month. The progression of your early-onset Alzheimer's is moving much faster than we anticipated."

Early-onset Alzheimer's.

Six months ago, this diagnosis had struck my life like a bolt of lightning.

In the beginning, I just kept forgetting where I put my keys, or I’d walk into the kitchen and forget what I wanted to grab.

Julian began complaining constantly about how "sluggish," "dull," and "stupid" I was becoming.

I thought I was just tired. It wasn't until I got completely lost driving through a familiar intersection that I realized the severity of the situation.

"Dr. Evans, how much time do I have left?" I stared at the dense medical jargon on the report, my eyes stinging.

"It’s hard to say. Everyone progresses at a different rate. But have you been under a lot of stress lately? Severe emotional distress accelerates neural cell death."

Stress?

I let out a bitter laugh.

Julian’s daily emotional abuse and Chloe’s constant intrusion—did that count as stress?

"I highly recommend having a family member come in. We need to establish a long-term care plan. Given your current state, you shouldn't be living alone anymore," Dr. Evans said gently.

"I don't have any family," I interrupted flatly.

Dr. Evans paused, a flash of deep sympathy crossing his eyes.

"Mrs. Vance, in the later stages of this disease, patients lose all cognitive functions. They don't even know who they are. You need to make arrangements early."

"I know," I said, folding the diagnostic report neatly and putting it into my bag.

"Thank you, Dr. Evans. I’ll make sure to take my meds."

I walked out of the clinic, my steps feeling hollow.

As I reached the elevator, my phone buzzed.

It was a text from Chloe.

*Audrey, Julian insisted on taking me out for a test drive. Your car drives like a dream! Thanks for the keys! (playful emoji)*

Attached was a photo.

In the photo, Chloe sat in the driver's seat of my Porsche, one hand casually resting on the steering wheel.

In the passenger seat, Julian was leaning over, tenderly buckling her seatbelt.

Their faces were inches apart, and Julian’s face wore a warm, brilliant smile I hadn't seen in years.

I stared at the image.

My chest felt so tight I could barely draw breath.

A sudden, violent wave of dizziness hit me. My vision went black, and I slumped against the cold corridor wall.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" a passing nurse asked, catching my arm.

"I’m fine... thank you," I gasped, forcing myself to stand upright.

I looked at the agonizing photo on my screen, then touched the terminal diagnosis in my purse.

*Julian, did you really think I was just throwing a tantrum?*

*Did you think you could ruthlessly trample on my dignity and take everything from me without consequences?*

I originally wanted to leave you with some dignity before I forgot you entirely.

But now, I’ve changed my mind.

Leaning against the wall, my fingers flew across the screen as I fired off a message to Mr. Sterling:

*Mr. Sterling, besides the divorce papers, I need you to audit all of Julian’s companies. Track his shareholding structures and his financial transactions over the last six months. I want him to leave with absolutely nothing.*

After hitting send, I powered down my phone.

The game had just begun.