I'd been gone from his house for a few days now. I'd decided to stay with Noël for the time being in their two bedroom. They lived with their partner and three kids, and even though we weren't all there together, it was still pretty cramped.
Soon after I had escaped, I filled Noël in with the new info I had about his checks. They corroborated my story saying he often made sizable (usually) one time donations to charities, often out of the state or country. He probably thought that if the organizations were hard to keep track of, and if some of the donations had actually been paid, he wouldn't get caught. It was stupid enough for him to come up with it, but smart enough to work, it seemed.
It only took a dull knife to poke through it though.
I hadn't mentioned anything about the fraud or the abuse to the lawyer yet. I only got a quota, as well as some generous advice on how to build my case. I needed to play this smart.
Although he didn't know where Noël lived, I didn't spend any of my waking hours there. I stayed by the back exits of cafés, the second floors of restaurants, expensive hotel bars, any place with lots of people and escape routes. I hid my face even more when I out now. I dawned scarves, hats, glasses, and masks everywhere I went, despite the southern heat.
I was so scared to confront my legacy now. It walked around with my face and name while I followed along like a shadow. I hated that he had split me in two like this, always making me question if my reality matched everyone else's. I was isolated in the version of me they all had and didn't how to change it. I missed myself more than anyone else at this point.
The day I left his house he called me for hours, threatening both of us, while we recorded every second. This scared me at first and caused an argument between Noël and I. I didn't want them to take me in if he was making threats to our lives, especially since their children were here. Noël appreciated my concern and agreed that it could be dangerous, so plans were made for their kids to stay at their aunt's house while Rena, Noël, and I worked on our case.
