Every time my brother-in-law drove me home, I would lose consciousness and wake up with unexplained aches and pains. My husband would only laugh and say, “You’re just out of shape, that’s all.” After the fourth ride, I secretly slipped a voice recorder into my purse and said nothing. That night, I listened to a phone conversation between the two of them that revealed my blackouts had never been accidental.

He opened his mouth, but I kept walking before he could answer.

The conversation ended there.

Outside, the rain had stopped.

I stood on the courthouse steps and took a slow breath.

My hands were shaking, but I had spoken in my own voice without asking permission to do it.

PART 17

Several months passed between the preliminary proceedings and the next substantial hearing.

During that time, my life grew larger in small, unexpected ways.