Chapter 22 - THE LAST OFFER
Ulric’s lawyer proposed settlement.
He would withdraw his permanent-guardianship petition.
Consent to me becoming guardian.
Accept independent trustee.
No claim to live in Tavian’s house.
In exchange:
A future-contact pathway written into the guardianship order.
Not automatic visits.
A review after six months of counseling.
Therapist-supervised contact if Esmond’s clinician agreed.
Then gradual expansion only by agreement or court order.
Reasonable.
I wanted one more term:
Ulric never tells Esmond Tavian betrayed him.
His lawyer said:
“That is vague.”
True.
We rewrote:
No discussion with Esmond about guardianship litigation, inheritance, or blame regarding Tavian’s choice.
Good.
Then Ulric wanted:
No disparagement by me either.
Fair.
I agreed.
Then one issue.
He wanted his fishing photos returned from Tavian’s house.
They were his.
I had boxed them with his belongings.
Fine.
No bargaining chip.
Then I asked:
“Why settle before trial?”
Ulric answered through mediator:
“Because if I keep fighting to prove Tavian should’ve chosen me, I’m still doing the thing he was afraid of.”
That was the strongest thing he had said.
I did not trust him because of one sentence.
I did believe it mattered.
The settlement resolved much.
But the court still scheduled a final hearing to determine whether guardianship was in Esmond’s best interests and whether the proposed contact framework was safe.
May you like
No rubber stamp.
Chapter Twenty-Three began there.
