Chapter 12: Settlement Terms
By the third month, Ryan’s position had narrowed enough that settlement became the only practical option.
His attorney proposed terms that accepted the exclusive award of the house to me, a structured repayment of the documented unauthorized charges, and a clean division of the remaining marital debt. In exchange, they requested a waiver of further civil claims related to the fraud indicators.
Helen and I reviewed the offer in her office on a Saturday morning.
“You can push for more,” she said. “The signature evidence is strong enough to continue.”
“I don’t need more,” I answered. “I need finality. The house, the separation of finances, and a clear record that the unauthorized activity stops here.”
She nodded and marked the revisions.
The revised agreement was signed two weeks later. The divorce itself followed in due course, uncontested on the material points. Ryan did not appear at the final hearing. Linda was named only in the civil release language required to close the fraud-related claims.
When Helen called to confirm that the decree had been entered, I was between meetings at headquarters.
“It’s done,” she said.
May you like
“Thank you.”
I put the phone away and returned to the secure conference room. The decree would be filed with the rest of the documents. It did not require further comment.
