Chapter 13 - Victoria Without Julian
Victoria wrote me from custody.
I did not open first letter.
Second sat for months.
Then therapist suggested:
“You can read without replying.”
So I did.
Genevieve,
I hated you before I knew you.
Not promising.
She continued.
Julian described you as cold, controlling, wealthy, and manipulative. He told me you trapped him in a marriage where he could never feel powerful.
I nearly stopped.
Then:
I believed him because believing him made our affair feel less ugly.
That was honest.
She said Adrian approached her through Julian.
She knew there was financial scheme but not full trust fraud.
She liked excitement.
She liked being chosen.
She liked humiliating me.
Then:
The jet ski was my idea. Adrian wanted a controlled scare at the marina. Julian wanted you frightened. I wanted you humiliated in front of everyone. I increased the speed after you woke up because you called me insane and I wanted to prove you could not stop me.
There.
Personal agency.
No hiding behind men.
When blood appeared, she panicked but did not stop immediately because she feared Julian would blame her.
That delay nearly caused disaster.
She wrote:
I am sorry is not adequate.
Correct.
I did not reply.
Years later, she completed sentence and probation.
She lost consulting licenses? She was growth strategist, no formal license. Her career collapsed publicly. She moved.
No contact.
No sequel.
Julian asked once:
“Did Victoria write?”
“Yes.”
“What did she say?”
“Not your business.”
He accepted.
May you like
That was new.
Boundaries.
