Chapter 11: The Settlement
The final settlement negotiations took place in Judge Beckett’s chambers.
Gavin’s team had lost most of their leverage. The audit had confirmed my majority ownership. The custody evaluation had favored me. The prenup, which Gavin had once believed was ironclad, protected very little once the company’s true ownership was established.
I offered a fair division: Gavin would retain a minority operational stake and a reasonable severance package. I would retain controlling interest and primary custody. Child support would follow state guidelines. The house in Bethesda would be sold, with proceeds divided after accounting for my original contributions.
Gavin sat across the table and stared at the documents for a long time.
“You really planned for this,” he said quietly.
“I planned for the possibility that the man I married might one day choose someone else,” I answered. “I hoped I would never need it.”
He signed the papers without further argument.
When the meeting ended, he looked at me one last time.
“I’m sorry, Cassandra. For all of it.”
I nodded.
“I accept your apology. But I don’t need it. The boys and I are going to be fine.”
I walked out of the courthouse with my attorney and did not look back.
The divorce was finalized two weeks later.
I kept my maiden name in all future documents.
Cassandra Devereux.
May you like
The name that had always been on the first page.
The name that had always been mine.
