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.

Spiked water.

Bruises on collarbone.

Four blackout episodes.

Julian is fully involved.

Do not confront him yet.

I had written it when my life felt reduced to a list of threats.

Beneath it, I added another list: new apartment, work, Mom, Priya, orchids, sleep.

The second list did not cancel the first.