Chapter 6 - The Alibi Machine
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For the next forty-eight hours, I remained hidden in the high-security wing of the hospital, building my strength while Evelyn orchestrated a masterclass in legal trap-setting.
Meanwhile, Derek’s world was beginning to fracture, though he didn't realize it yet. Through Evelyn’s private investigator, who was monitoring Derek’s house, I learned that Derek had spent the morning after my escape frantically searching the neighborhood.
When he realized I wasn't hiding in the yard, panic had set in. But instead of calling the police like a frantic husband, he began manufacturing his cover story.
He filed a missing person report with the local police precinct late that afternoon, claiming his wife had “suffered a sudden nervous breakdown” and walked out of the house in the middle of the night following a minor argument over finances.
He even had the audacity to print out flyers and post them on social media, posing as the worried, heartbroken husband begging for his fragile wife’s safe return.
“He’s setting up a mental incompetence narrative,” Evelyn explained during her evening visit to my room, setting a stack of legal documents on my bed. “He wants the court to believe you are unstable so he can claim any accusations you make are the fabrications of a troubled mind.”
I looked at the printed screenshot of Derek’s social media post. He had posted a picture of us from our honeymoon, captioning it: Please come home, Abbey. We love you and want to help you heal.
A dark, bitter laugh escaped my chest.
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“He really thinks he’s the smartest man in the room, doesn't he?” I said, tossing the paper aside.
“Arrogant abusers always do,” Evelyn said, smiling dangerously. “They never plan for the moment their victim stops playing the role assigned to them. He thinks you’re terrified, hiding in some motel. He has no idea we’ve already submitted your audio recording and medical scans directly to a judge.”
