Fragments of Affection

Forensic science student Jessica Lewis is thrown into a waking nightmare when she is diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), grappling with unsettling memory gaps, amnesia, and a host of distinct self-states—or "alters"—who share her body. Jessica's system is complex, featuring Lucien Slater, a reckless, angry male Protector; Little T, a child Trauma Holder safeguarding memories of severe childhood abuse; Beatrice, a dark Trauma Holder who manages self-harming urges; and Phillip, the system's Gatekeeper. Driving Jessica's personal turmoil is a deep-seated bitterness toward the Russell family, the people who abandoned her to the foster care system as an infant.

Jessica’s fragmented life collides violently with the professional world of Detective Jackson Sinclair, a grieving investigator consumed by the loss of his wife, Bri. Jackson is tasked with solving the "Fourth of July Massacre," the brutal mass murder of six members of the Russell family. The initial connection is explosive: Jackson has a one-night stand with Lucien, an encounter Jessica doesn’t remember. Soon after, Jessica becomes a prime suspect due to planted evidence at the crime scene, including a distinctive ladybug drawing and years of resentful letters signed by Aiya Lewis, a previous primary host in the system.

Jackson officially clears Jessica, but the threads of the case are already hopelessly knotted. Lucien reveals he was previously in a relationship with the true killer, the highly manipulative Duncan Horonowitz (known to him as "Sly"). Duncan, obsessed with revenge, intentionally framed the system to cover his tracks. His motive is rooted in a devastating cycle of abandonment and blame: Duncan blames the Russells for the suicide of his adoptive daughter, Kimberly, and for placing his own granddaughter—Jackson’s deceased wife, Bri—up for adoption. Duncan's ultimate target isn't just the Russells; it’s Jackson, whom he believes is responsible for disrupting his plan and for Bri’s death.

The narrative culminates in a desperate confrontation when Duncan captures Korrah, Jessica’s long-term partner who was previously in a relationship with Aiya. Jackson and the system locate them, leading to a violent struggle where Jackson is wounded and Korrah is severely injured. Officer Ruiz ultimately brings Duncan down. In the wrenching aftermath, Korrah, heartbroken by the complexity of her partner's plurality and the trauma it entails, makes a final, selfless choice. She forces Jackson to promise he will lie to the system, telling them she died of her injuries so that they can grieve and heal permanently without the burden of her heartbreak. The story concludes with Jessica and Jackson confirming their commitment to each other and the entire system, honoring Korrah’s memory as they travel to scatter her ashes alongside Jackson’s buried family, finding a path toward integration and strength together.