excuses. This time I’m not coming back.” Clotilde slammed the door on her way out.
Jeremy fell back onto the bed. I cheated on Victoria. With Pierre’s wife. I lost everything. Everything. I didn’t change. My plan failed. I didn’t get better. I’m sick. I’m crazy. Crazy . He screamed these last words, grabbing a glass from the table and throwing it violently against the wall. “I’m crazy! I’m crazy!” He sobbed, collapsing onto the bed.
Then he heard the sound of liquid overflowing and smelled the reek of burning coffee. He felt the same hunger as on his last awakenings. But it felt insignificant compared to his tragedy.
Soon, a twisted idea made him smile bitterly: I’m unhappy. But then again, I’m only unhappy for a few hours now and then, when I’m aware of how sick I am. The rest of the time, I’m a happy man. A jerk, a bad husband, an unfit father, but a man who lives as he pleases. Why not be satisfied with that? All I have to do is wait for this day to be over so I can go back to my life of debauchery .
But he could never accept it. He had to learn the truth. Not knowing was torture. Already a few ideas were surfacing in his mind.
Jeremy walked over to the closet and continued his investigation. In a box he discovered some papers. On one folder he read the word divorce , and his heart sank. He opened it and found a letter from a lawyer dated January 4, 2012.
If I’m waking up on the eighth of May again, then my last period of amnesia dates back to at least two years ago .
He scanned the court papers, looking for more information.
Mr. Jeremy Delègue left his home over six months ago. He has given no notice to his children or spouse since then…
While Mr. Delègue has indeed delivered a sum of ten thousand euros to his wife, it was only after the appeal process began for these exact purposes…
Mr. Delègue completed a long course of treatment at the Sainte-Anne Psychiatric Hospital in Paris. The detention occurred at his request (see items #3 and #4) due to serious concerns. The report of the doctor who monitored and cared for him during these six months is clear. He states that Mr. Delègue is suffering from a rare mental illness that manifests as a split personality…
He also notes that Mr. Delègue is gifted with an exceptional intelligence, which he uses to manipulate the people around him…
Mr. Delègue was released on October 2, 2010, after making significant progress and with the understanding that he would continue his treatment…
His spouse, who supported him during his treatment, welcomed him warmly…Two weeks later, Mr. Delègue stopped taking his medication. He quickly reestablished his old habits: nightly disappearances, heavy alcohol consumption, verbal abuse…
The remaining letters detailed the divorce proceedings initiated at Victoria’s request. Jeremy was crushed. His ordeal had taken a tragic turn. Their life together was over. Victoria didn’t want anything to do with him. The only positive element in what he read was that she had believed his story, tried to fight—to fight with him—against the illness. But she had to give up, and now he was the one she fought against.
She took me back. She still hoped I could change. She still loved me then. What a cruel disappointment it must have been for her to see me slip back into my madness. She must have suffered. And the kids. They must hate me .
Suddenly, Jeremy heard a knock at the door. His first instinct was to open it, but as he started to turn the knob, he hesitated. What would he discover next?
Jeremy resigned himself to the inevitable and opened the door.
“Finally! Were you sleeping or what?” Leaning against the door jamb, a young man was catching his breath. He wore faded jeans, a T-shirt that said, “Be mine,” and apair of silver sneakers. He had long auburn hair that contained traces of old hair dye. He walked over to the bed and flopped down. He stretched out, flung his arms to the sides, and
Jeremy fell back onto the bed. I cheated on Victoria. With Pierre’s wife. I lost everything. Everything. I didn’t change. My plan failed. I didn’t get better. I’m sick. I’m crazy. Crazy . He screamed these last words, grabbing a glass from the table and throwing it violently against the wall. “I’m crazy! I’m crazy!” He sobbed, collapsing onto the bed.
Then he heard the sound of liquid overflowing and smelled the reek of burning coffee. He felt the same hunger as on his last awakenings. But it felt insignificant compared to his tragedy.
Soon, a twisted idea made him smile bitterly: I’m unhappy. But then again, I’m only unhappy for a few hours now and then, when I’m aware of how sick I am. The rest of the time, I’m a happy man. A jerk, a bad husband, an unfit father, but a man who lives as he pleases. Why not be satisfied with that? All I have to do is wait for this day to be over so I can go back to my life of debauchery .
But he could never accept it. He had to learn the truth. Not knowing was torture. Already a few ideas were surfacing in his mind.
Jeremy walked over to the closet and continued his investigation. In a box he discovered some papers. On one folder he read the word divorce , and his heart sank. He opened it and found a letter from a lawyer dated January 4, 2012.
If I’m waking up on the eighth of May again, then my last period of amnesia dates back to at least two years ago .
He scanned the court papers, looking for more information.
Mr. Jeremy Delègue left his home over six months ago. He has given no notice to his children or spouse since then…
While Mr. Delègue has indeed delivered a sum of ten thousand euros to his wife, it was only after the appeal process began for these exact purposes…
Mr. Delègue completed a long course of treatment at the Sainte-Anne Psychiatric Hospital in Paris. The detention occurred at his request (see items #3 and #4) due to serious concerns. The report of the doctor who monitored and cared for him during these six months is clear. He states that Mr. Delègue is suffering from a rare mental illness that manifests as a split personality…
He also notes that Mr. Delègue is gifted with an exceptional intelligence, which he uses to manipulate the people around him…
Mr. Delègue was released on October 2, 2010, after making significant progress and with the understanding that he would continue his treatment…
His spouse, who supported him during his treatment, welcomed him warmly…Two weeks later, Mr. Delègue stopped taking his medication. He quickly reestablished his old habits: nightly disappearances, heavy alcohol consumption, verbal abuse…
The remaining letters detailed the divorce proceedings initiated at Victoria’s request. Jeremy was crushed. His ordeal had taken a tragic turn. Their life together was over. Victoria didn’t want anything to do with him. The only positive element in what he read was that she had believed his story, tried to fight—to fight with him—against the illness. But she had to give up, and now he was the one she fought against.
She took me back. She still hoped I could change. She still loved me then. What a cruel disappointment it must have been for her to see me slip back into my madness. She must have suffered. And the kids. They must hate me .
Suddenly, Jeremy heard a knock at the door. His first instinct was to open it, but as he started to turn the knob, he hesitated. What would he discover next?
Jeremy resigned himself to the inevitable and opened the door.
“Finally! Were you sleeping or what?” Leaning against the door jamb, a young man was catching his breath. He wore faded jeans, a T-shirt that said, “Be mine,” and apair of silver sneakers. He had long auburn hair that contained traces of old hair dye. He walked over to the bed and flopped down. He stretched out, flung his arms to the sides, and
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