Chapter 18 - THE DIVORCE
Our divorce took almost three years.
Trust claims complicated financial disclosure.
The prenup became a battlefield.
Naomi argued the undisclosed-interest waiver could not apply to Sterling trust rights intentionally concealed from my counsel.
Richard’s attorneys agreed eventually on much of that because pushing too far risked worse findings.
Other prenup terms remained valid.
His pre-marital property stayed his.
Mine stayed mine.
Marital property divided.
No moral confiscation.
The Vance estate remained with family entities.
I wanted none of it.
Custody:
I received primary residential custody.
Richard gained structured parenting time, initially supervised, later gradually less restricted based on behavior and professional review.
Olivia had no independent visitation right.
She petitioned.
The court denied automatic access given her involvement and hostile conduct.
Future contact could occur only through parental agreement or later review.
I said no.
Lily said no too once old enough to express preference.
Our divorce judgment did not mention orchids in the final page.
It mentioned:
assets.
parenting.
support.
insurance.
ordinary legal nouns.
I loved that.
When I left court, I put my wedding ring in a small envelope.
I did not throw it away.
It represented years that were real.
Lily’s birth.
Trips.
Laughter.
Betrayal.
All.
May you like
I stored it.
The orchid ring stayed on its chain.
