For Better And For Worse
Chapter 45

To the hospital.

Clémence couldn’t bear what she had just heard and wait for her husband to arrive, so she decided to follow him to the hospital. She knocks on the director’s door who allows her to enter. Roger was surprised to see his wife.

Roger: honey, what are you doing here, are you sick?

Clemence: worse than that.

Roger: What’s wrong?

Clémence: tell me the truth Roger, do you know Isabelle?

Roger: of course, she was a former employee of this hospital.

Clémence: why doesn’t she work there anymore?

Roger: Because I sent her away.

Clémence: why did you send her away?

Roger: But where are you going with these questions darling?

Clemence: answer me!

Roger: ok. One day, she came to see me in my office and told me that she works a lot but that her salary is insufficient. She asked me for a raise, which I told her I would do if I saw she deserved it. But she wanted an immediate raise so straight away, she unbuttoned her shirt and revealed her bra. I was shocked by this act so I fired him on the spot. Which I should never have done because she was such a good worker.

Clémence: are you sure you’re telling me the truth?

Roger: of course my love, why would I lie to a part of myself? You know you’re my other half, right? Please tell me what’s going on darling.

Clémence: this woman was at our house this morning and she… she told me that you were harassing her and that you even tried to rape her.

Roger: what, this woman is completely crazy to say such nonsense. But darling, don’t tell me that you believe her, do you believe me capable of committing such ignominy?

Clemence: no, of course not.

Roger: I’m sure this woman wants revenge because I sent him away but she won’t succeed, will she darling?

Clémence: no, she won’t make it. Now my heart is reassured.

Roger: come here!

She gets up and her husband hugs her, then she takes Isabelle’s address with her husband and goes to her house. Roger sits down and bites his index finger.

Roger: shit Isabelle, you almost drowned me completely. I have to be very careful.

Krist’s home.

Isabelle hears a knock at the door and goes to open it. It was Clemence. She was surprised to see her.

Isabelle: Madame Clémence! What are you doing there ?

Clémence: I know everything ma’am, I know why my husband sent you away. I warn you ma’am, stay away from my husband! If you continue to harass him, you will cross me on your way.

She leaves immediately, leaving Isabelle in great embarrassment. She goes back inside and thoughts flood her head. A few moments later, she hears the doorbell ring again and she goes to open it. It was Severin. She is happy to see him.

Isabelle: Severin! Praise God! Hi !

Séverin: hi, I wasn’t sure I’d find you at home. I passed by by chance.

Isabelle: ah yes, yet I’m here and I’m happy to see you. Between !

Séverin: thank you.

He comes in and she seats him in the living room and serves him a drink.

Isabelle: I really needed someone to talk to.

Séverin: do you have a problem?

Isabelle: we can say that.

Séverin: can you tell me?

Isabelle: of course. To summarize, it’s my ex boss who doesn’t stop harassing me so I went to tell his wife who doesn’t believe me at all and who thinks on the contrary that it’s me who is harassing her husband.

Séverin: I see. But, she’s not wrong you know. You always think your husband is the most perfect man in the world and then bam, a stranger comes along and tells you he’s unfaithful. Would you believe it?

Isabelle: ah, not at all.

Séverin: So you see that his reaction is normal. Even though this news will certainly hurt her, she still wouldn’t believe it.

Isabelle: you are right. But I don’t know what lie her husband made up for her to make her believe I was the harasser. She came to give me an ultimatum.

Séverin: seriously!

Isabelle: I assure you.

Séverin: You don’t have to worry. Time always reveals what is hidden so one day she will know the truth.

Isabelle: thank you! That’s why I needed to talk to someone. You are a good friend Séverin.

Séverin: it’s a great privilege.

Isabelle: privilege? Isn’t that an exaggeration?

Séverin: no, it’s not every day that you’re friends with such a beautiful woman. Most people worry too much.

Isabelle: thank you. So, you’re not going to work today?

Séverin: no, I took the day and I would like to devote it to you if you want.

Isabelle: okay, you are my savior, I was bored alone.

Séverin: I’m happy to be helpful. Will you tell me what’s wrong?

Isabelle: what do you mean?

Séverin: I see that you seem to be happy on the outside but I notice that your soul is sad. What’s bothering you?

She starts to cry.

Isabelle: a woman came by this morning. A nurse from the prison where my husband is incarcerated. She told me that she slept with my husband. Of course I don’t believe her but it hurts me when I think about it or when I imagine that he could do that to me.

Séverin: oh, I’m sorry. You don’t have to imagine that he could do that to you. Do you think he’s capable of it?

Isabelle: no, of course not.

Séverin: then don’t imagine such a thing about him. It would be like disgracing him or accusing him of something he never did.

Isabelle: like her condemnation.

Séverin: yes, you would condemn him twice unjustly.

Isabelle: oh my God!

Séverin: tell yourself that your husband is irrecoverable to another woman and that everything this woman has told you is nothing but lies. He is in prison Isabelle, how could he find the opportunity to sleep with a woman? It’s almost impossible.

Isabelle: you are right.

Séverin: Don’t let doubt sow trouble in your home because when trust begins to weaken in a couple, its collapse is not far away. Because the pillar of a good relationship, of a good home, is trust.

Isabelle: you are right, you are absolutely right, thank you for your advice.

Séverin: you can always count on me. What is this nurse’s name?

Isabelle: Claire I think.

Séverin: Claire wants to steal your husband Isabelle, don’t let her do it.

Isabelle: never!

Séverin: that’s good.

Isabelle decides to take a shower and go to the hospital to spend the rest of the day. Séverin goes to work. Stella comes back from university and is going to open the hair salon for a bit. In the evening, Isabelle goes to her parents’ house to spend some time with her mother before returning home. During the night, she and Stella meet up at home and talk about their day. She tells him about her meeting with Roger’s wife.

Stella: you know what Isabelle, if this doctor doesn’t want to leave you alone, I will help you get rid of it permanently, if you want. Only, you must know that it will be a great harm to his family.

Isabelle: tell me how?

Stella: We’re going to have him imprisoned.

Isabelle: how?

Stella: by filing a complaint against him for s****l harassment and attempted rape.

Isabelle: what, but I have no proof.

Stella: I know, that’s why we’re going to find some.

Isabelle: to your wishes.

Stella: ok. 1: From today onwards, don’t delete any of his messages. Instead, they should be archived. 2: If he asks you to go work there when you are free, accept. 3: you are going to ask for your personal office. Which he would certainly like since he will go see you every time. 4: I have a friend at university who studies math and who designs small cameras. I’m going to buy one and you’re going to install it in your office. 5: you will have all your proof and 6 in the end, you will file a complaint.

Isabelle: it’s an excellent plan but I think there is another option at level 6.

Stella: which one?

Isabelle: I can use the video to sing it. Either he leaves me alone forever or I bring him to justice. And if he chooses the first option, no one will be hurt and he will continue to be the perfect man in the eyes of his family.

Stella: I have never seen a person with such a big heart Isabelle. You always seek to do good, even to those who don’t deserve it. You really are an angel.

Isabelle (with a smile): oh, don’t exaggerate. Besides, Severin was also here.

Stella: I don’t really like this guy you know. You have to be wary.

Isabelle: okay mom.

Stella: stop!

They laugh about it and continue to discuss. Meanwhile, on the other side at Séverin’s, he receives a call from Bruno.

Séverin: hello sir!

Bruno: hello son, how are you?

Séverin: good.

Bruno: where are you with my daughter?

Séverin: I’m going slowly but surely sir, it’s progressing little by little.

Bruno: Glad to hear it. Well, I wish you a good night.

Séverin: thank you, same as you.

Fountain bar.

Léon keeps the tracker in his pocket and goes to the bar. He meets Jeff and they have a drink. After which they go out and Jeff gives him his share of drugs. Meanwhile, Prosper keeps an eye on him, Cornelius at his side. Last night, Léon visits a few places where he is likely to sell drugs in order to prove to Corneille that he sells his drugs well. He returns home late without selling a single know. In the morning, he wears other clothes to bring the drugs to the squad in exchange for the money which he later brings to Jeff at his convenience store as usual.

On the other hand, Krist tries to find a way to find Claire in order to get information on his wife.