“Don’t say it,” Julia said, holding a hand up to stop him. “We’re not taking on a partner. I’m out, Christian. I’ve started my job search in earnest. My résumé is out there, and I’m already getting leads. Women on the Move wants to interview me next week.”
Christian didn’t know about the global nonprofit that worked to advance women’s economic empowerment and reduce gender-based violence around the globe, so Julia briefed him.
“VP of Global Programs. Sounds right up your alley. You’ll be amazing,” he said. “I hope you get it. They’d be lucky to have you. But what about us? Do we still have a future? Julia, I don’t want to divorce.”
Instead of panicking about making a decision, Julia returned to the breath. With her eyes fixed on the stars spread out across a black canvas, she took a deep one, held it, and then let it out slowly. This went on for a while as Christian waited patiently beside her. Finally, she felt grounded enough to address him.
“I’ve read about something for situations like ours,” she told him. “It’s called a postnuptial agreement. Basically, it’s like a prenup for married people. It details exactly how we’ll divide the finances if we separate.”
Christian’s eyes filled with tears. “Please don’t say it, Jules. Give me a chance.”
“I am, Christian. It’s a postnuptial. I’m not filing for divorce. We’ll meet with a lawyer and draft one I’m comfortable with.” Oh, it felt so good to use her voice. Julia didn’t want to stop.
“What you did was a profound betrayal. This house was not yours to give away. I don’t care what your reasons were. I don’t care how scared or confused you were. You violated my trust in a way I can’t easily forgive. I don’t know if I will ever be able to find my way back to where we were before, but I know this is the first step. Step two is counseling, which we need to start right away.”
Christian bowed his head, a man resigned to his fate. “But, Julia, is there a real chance for us? Or is all this just leading to…”
She cupped his hand. “There’s always a chance. I still love you,” she told him. “But we’re going to have to take it a day at a time, one moment at a time. You know that approach better than most.”
“I understand,” he said, unable to mask his disappointment.
They held hands like an old married couple, which technically they were.
Julia’s phone lit up on the table beside her chair. She looked; it was a message from Izzy, who wrote:
I got my mother’s permission to produce the podcast. I know you’re busy, but I hope you’ll be able to work on it with me. Something about Susie’s death has been bothering me, and I think I know what it is. Can we meet?
Julia was about to respond when Izzy sent a follow-up message.
And FYI, I might be back at the lake soon. I went to see Grace one more time before I left and ran into her nephew, Noah. Turns out he’s her grandnephew. He’s funny and handsome, and, well… we have a date next weekend. It’s time to give a nice guy a chance, right?
Izzy added a couple of blushing emojis, and Julia couldn’t help but smile.
While it was difficult to find the right words with Christian, Julia had no trouble answering Izzy.
That all sounds wonderful. And I’d love to help.
Epilogue
The Vanishings at Lake Timmeny
EPISODE 5: One in the Chamber
Announcer: Meredith Underwood
Previously, onThe Vanishings at Lake Timmeny…
Erika Sullivan
It’s my word and Rick’s against the world, really. We know what we did that night. I pulled the trigger. I took a life. But I never meant to harm anybody—I was only trying to help. We were young and foolish for sure, but that doesn’t mean I had malicious intent. Unfortunately, my thoughts aren’t evidence. What was in my heart doesn’t leave a trace.
Izzy Greene
From Gold Glitter Productions, this isThe Vanishings at Lake Timmeny, and I’m your host—and witness—Izzy Greene, with Meredith Underwood, my college roommate and associate producer. We’re at a critical point in the story, and for Erika, if nothing changes, she will most likely be charged with murder, among other felonies for her efforts to frame David Dunne for the crime.
If you need to catch up, now is a good time to listen to past episodes because, spoiler alert, I think there is a serious mitigating circumstance that could dramatically reduce Erika’s culpability, and I’m going to try to prove it. Erika’s lawyer declined to be interviewed for this podcast, but I don’t think we need her testimony to make ourcase. The state ballistics team concluded the gun recovered from David’s house was indeed the same weapon used to kill my aunt Susie. Disclaimer, I am related to the victim of this story, one of three women who disappeared at the lake. We have a statement regarding firearm forensics from Detective Baker, the lead investigator on the case.
Detective Baker
