It was not a magical solution to every question raised by the investigation. Separate legal issues relating to the fire and the financial records remained outside the divorce settlement.
But it meant Victor could no longer pretend I had contributed nothing.
When the mediator asked whether I accepted the terms, I looked at Grace.
She nodded slightly.
I signed.
Victor signed after me.
The mediator collected the documents.
“That concludes the settlement conference,” he said.
Victor remained seated.
“Evelyn,” he said quietly.
I turned toward him.
“Can we speak alone for a moment?”
Grace looked at me, leaving the decision to me.
I agreed, but only after she and the mediator remained nearby.
Victor rubbed his palms together.
“I never wanted things to end this way.”
I almost laughed.
“How did you want them to end?”
He stared at the table.
“I thought I could make everything work. I thought the restaurant would keep growing, that we would become more successful, and that eventually none of this would matter.”
