Chapter 20 - The divorce
I filed for divorce five weeks after the source day.
People asked why I waited.
Because I had a child in therapy.
Police interviews.
A house divided.
An attorney telling me not to make life decisions during the first seventy-two hours.
Then one morning I woke up and realized there was no question left.
I cared about Vanessa.
That was true.
I did not trust her with Noah.
Also true.
Marriage could not survive those facts together.
Our divorce took thirteen months.
No children together.
That simplified custody.
Not property.
House acquired before marriage? I had owned it with Mara, then inherited full title after her death under survivorship. Vanessa had contributed to renovations during marriage but not ownership automatically. Attorneys resolved equitable claims.
Joint savings.
Retirement contributions during marriage.
Furniture.
Vehicle.
No secret millions.
We settled.
I kept the house.
Vanessa received her agreed share of marital savings and reimbursement for documented home improvements.
The $16,000 care-account settlement credit reduced part of what otherwise would have been paid.
My improper $52,000 transfer remained in escrow until division.
No one got everything.
Good.
Vanessa took the expensive espresso machine.
I let her.
Three months later I bought a cheaper one.
May you like
Better coffee.
This fact pleased me more than it should have.
