Chapter 17 - The Divorce Table
The divorce mediation took place four months after Rebecca left the penthouse.
Daniel looked healthier.
Thinner.
Quieter.
Rebecca noticed immediately.
She also noticed he no longer wore the expensive watch she had given him on their twentieth anniversary.
Margaret sat beside Rebecca.
Martin sat beside Daniel.
The mediator reviewed assets.
Rebecca kept her inherited holdings.
Daniel kept his remaining personal shares in Mercer Strategic, though their value had fallen sharply.
The penthouse proceeds belonged to Rebecca's trust successor entity.
Joint accounts were divided according to documented contributions.
Daniel did not fight most of it.
That surprised Rebecca.
Then they reached spousal support.
Daniel laughed softly.
“No.”
The mediator looked up.
“No request has been made.”
Daniel looked toward Rebecca.
She met his eyes.
“I don't want your money.”
His face changed.
There had been a time when Daniel believed Rebecca stayed because of money.
Now the absurdity was complete.
The mediator continued.
“Any dispute regarding Michael's education account?”
“No.”
Rebecca and Daniel answered simultaneously.
For a second, they almost smiled.
Then the moment disappeared.
After three hours, the attorneys left the room to review language.
Rebecca and Daniel remained alone.
The silence was strange.
Not hostile.
Just unfamiliar.
Daniel looked at her.
“I met Lily last week.”
Rebecca nodded.
“Vanessa told me.”
“She asked about Michael.”
“He wants to meet her.”
Daniel looked surprised.
“You're okay with that?”
Rebecca's expression hardened slightly.
“Stop asking whether I'm okay with your children existing.”
Daniel lowered his eyes.
“Right.”
He rubbed his hands together.
“I'm sorry.”
Rebecca looked at him.
It was the first time he had said those words without adding a justification.
Daniel continued.
“Not because I got caught.”
“Not because I lost the company.”
“Not because the divorce costs me money.”
Rebecca said nothing.
“I am sorry because I spent years treating your patience like permission.”
Rebecca felt tears threaten.
She refused to look away.
Daniel swallowed.
“I don't expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
Rebecca took a breath.
“Do you know what hurt the most?”
Daniel shook his head.
“It wasn't Chloe.”
His expression changed.
“It wasn't even Vanessa.”
Rebecca looked directly at him.
“It was how easily you pointed at me in that room.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Rebecca continued.
“Twenty-three years.”
“One gesture.”
“You reduced me to something disposable because someone younger was watching.”
Daniel's voice broke.
“I know.”
“No.”
Rebecca shook her head.
“You understand it now.”
“You didn't know then.”
Daniel nodded slowly.
“You're right.”
The attorneys returned.
Papers were signed.
Initials placed.
Terms accepted.
When they finished, Daniel stood.
Rebecca gathered her purse.
He looked at her once more.
“Was there ever a moment you thought about staying?”
Rebecca considered the question.
“Yes.”
Daniel's eyes lifted.
“When?”
“The night before you brought Chloe home.”
Daniel looked devastated.
Rebecca continued.
“I had decided to confront you.”
“I thought maybe there was still something worth saving.”
Daniel swallowed.
“And then?”
Rebecca opened the door.
“Then you told me to take out the trash.”
She walked away.
May you like
Daniel remained seated.
There was nothing left to say.
