I filed for a restraining order, which was granted immediately once the judge saw the doorbell footage and heard the recording. The legal protection gave me some peace, but the emotional damage ran deeper.
Rachel, Marcus’s wife, filed for divorce after learning the full extent of his obsession. She called me once to apologize.
“But looking back, there were signs. You weren’t the first woman he became fixated on. I’m so sorry.”
The company offered me a transfer to their New York office for a fresh start, and I accepted.
I needed distance from everything that had happened. I needed to rebuild in a place where Marcus’s shadow wouldn’t follow me.
I started therapy to process the violation and betrayal. It took months to feel safe again, but slowly, I healed.
I learned to recognize red flags I’d missed before.
I became more cautious about who I trusted with personal information, more aware of my surroundings.
A year later, I’m doing well. I still have moments where I check my locks three times before bed, where I review my doorbell camera footage more often than necessary. But I’m building a life that’s truly mine, one where I don’t owe anyone anything, where kindness is genuine and doesn’t come with strings attached.
