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Chapter 6

Author: Dawn Trueman
Two weeks later, I was finally cleared to leave the hospital.

Candace advised me to stay for further observation, but I declined. Grandma was still waiting for me at the funeral home.

My first stop was the Kirby residence to pick up Ash. He'd caught a chill and developed a lung infection. On top of that, he was slower on his hind legs than he used to be.

Mr. Kirby stood at the front door, holding the black watch box.

"I've taken the watch back. Mitchell, what happened that night was all just
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  • In Her Contacts, I'm Just a Number   Chapter 10

    Six months later, the case reached its conclusion. Marianne was held both criminally and civilly liable for the injuries she'd caused in the hospital room, while Jeremiah was also held accountable for the allergen incident.The price they paid couldn't bring Grandma back, nor could it automatically heal my wounds.But at least the harm I'd suffered could no longer be dismissed as a misunderstanding.I stayed in the north.After completing my rehabilitation, I found a new job at a nonprofit organization, where I was responsible for processing applications for assistance.My life wasn't particularly eventful, but for the first time, every part of it was entirely my own to arrange.Ash had gotten slower on his feet.Every evening, I took him to the river in a little cart.Whenever we reached a sunny spot, he'd insist on getting out and walking a few steps before turning back to wait for my praise.Candace occasionally traveled north for academic conferences and would stop by to c

  • In Her Contacts, I'm Just a Number   Chapter 9

    After the case entered formal proceedings, I returned to my old city once.The consequences of the injuries I'd suffered in the hospital couldn't be erased by a simple letter of forgiveness.Marianne didn't ask for a private settlement, nor did she have her family exert pressure on me. Instead, she submitted a complete statement, accepted being suspended pending an investigation, and agreed to cover all my medical and rehabilitation expenses.Jeremiah was dealt with separately for deliberately introducing an allergen and concealing the truth about what he'd done.In the mediation room, Marianne sat across from me. The final property settlement agreement lay on the table between us.We'd never married, so there wasn't much shared property to divide.Marianne had carefully itemized everything that belonged to me."The lease on the apartment expires next month. I won't renew it." After speaking, she glanced at the documents beside my hand. "I've had your belongings packed and shipp

  • In Her Contacts, I'm Just a Number   Chapter 8

    The north was colder than I'd imagined.I rented a small apartment near the rehabilitation center. It wasn't spacious, but it had a south-facing window.Every day, Ash basked in the sun, and his breathing slowly returned to normal.A month later, Marianne showed up at my apartment building. Instead of forcing her way in, she just waited downstairs for me.When I came down, she handed me a file folder. Inside were the corrected hospital records, a formal notice canceling the engagement party, and a written statement accepting responsibility she'd signed.She admitted to abandoning me during my asthma attack and acknowledged that she was responsible for the injuries I'd suffered in the hospital room."I've handed all the evidence of Jeremiah planting the air freshener over to the police. His family came to ask me to reconsider, but I didn't withdraw my statement."Her voice was much raspier than it used to be.Everything in that folder was something she should have done in the fi

  • In Her Contacts, I'm Just a Number   Chapter 7

    After the funeral, I stayed in my hometown for a week.On the eighth day, Ben Malone, the manager of the print shop, contacted me. He said the police were reviewing the invitation files and needed me to confirm the original version.According to the records he sent me, my name had been entered in the groom-to-be's field from the beginning. But two hours after Jeremiah took over the layout, the name had been manually changed to his. In short, it hadn't been a copying mistake.That evening, Jeremiah showed up at the old house Grandma had left behind. He stood outside the garden gate in a light outfit, the Kirby family's heirloom watch no longer on his wrist."Mitchell, can we talk?"I didn't invite him inside. "We can talk here."Jeremiah lowered his gaze. "I was the one who changed your name on the invitation, but I never actually meant to take your place. I just wanted to see whether Marianne would change it back once she found out.""And she didn't," I said.His eyelashes trem

  • In Her Contacts, I'm Just a Number   Chapter 6

    Two weeks later, I was finally cleared to leave the hospital.Candace advised me to stay for further observation, but I declined. Grandma was still waiting for me at the funeral home.My first stop was the Kirby residence to pick up Ash. He'd caught a chill and developed a lung infection. On top of that, he was slower on his hind legs than he used to be.Mr. Kirby stood at the front door, holding the black watch box."I've taken the watch back. Mitchell, what happened that night was all just a misunderstanding. Jeremiah was our guest, after all. We couldn't very well embarrass him."I took Ash's leash without touching the watch box."Then, keep it for him."Mr. Kirby tried to persuade me a little longer. "You and Marianne are practically engaged. Don't throw everything away over a few little things—"Ash let out a low whine. I lifted him into the car and said, "You were right that night, Mr. Kirby. I'm simply not suited for it."It wasn't just the watch. I didn't belong in the

  • In Her Contacts, I'm Just a Number   Chapter 5

    Just before I lost consciousness, I heard Candace call me by my full name.Ten years ago, when I was first hospitalized for an asthma attack, she had been a young doctor rotating through the emergency department. Grandma had chased after her with my medical records, repeating the names of every medication I was allergic to three times.Later, Candace was transferred to another city, and we only kept in occasional contact when Grandma went in for follow-up appointments.I never expected her to still remember me.…When I opened my eyes again, three days had passed.My head was wrapped in thick bandages. My breathing tube had just been removed, and I still couldn't manage to form complete sentences.Candace placed a tablet in front of me. On the screen was a medical authorization form."The hospital has suspended Marianne's visitation privileges. This is the form to change your medical authorization. You can appoint me for now or wait until you're feeling better before making a d

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