Chapter 23 - Divorce
Our divorce finalized eighteen months after Emma’s tenth birthday.
No courtroom showdown.
Settlement.
House:
Mine, with financial equalization recognizing marital contributions.
Company:
Mark kept his ownership.
No house collateral.
Acquisition had closed with outside capital.
His company remained successful.
Parenting:
I had slightly more school-year time initially.
Mark had alternating weekends plus one weekday overnight, with a step-up toward closer sharing as therapy supported.
No Diane during Mark’s parenting time unless separately agreed.
Joint legal decision-making restored after a period of structured communication.
Neither parent could involve the children in disputes over reproductive choices, inheritance, property, or “family legacy.”
That clause sounded absurd.
We needed it.
No child support drama.
Numbers based on incomes/time.
No alimony.
Then courthouse steps.
Mark looked at me.
“Twelve years.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“Do you hate me?”
“No.”
He almost looked relieved.
“I don’t trust you as a husband.”
There.
Different.
He nodded.
“Fair.”
No hug.
We walked to separate cars.
May you like
Marriage ended.
Parenthood continued.
