Chapter 13: Settled Terms
The divorce decree was entered without further contest once the financial record and the documented assault were fully before the court.
Recovered funds were allocated according to the final orders. The joint account that had once held nearly $175,000 was closed. Brandon retained what the court determined was properly his; the portion moved without my knowledge or consent was not returned to his control. The protective order expired on its own schedule after a period of complete non-contact.
My mother and I remained in the apartment that carried only my name. Margaret’s life regained ordinary shape—errands, quiet evenings, no raised voices. I worked, paid the rent, and kept Claire on a yearly retainer that required almost no activity. The River North keys stayed where I had left them.
