“Our family?” I repeated softly.
He looked away.
The word family had never sounded so hollow.
Mediation lasted nine hours.
Kevin’s business was struggling under scrutiny.
Clients had begun asking questions.
Investors hesitated.
His credibility—once his greatest asset—was deteriorating.
Olivia leaned toward me during a break.
“He’s losing leverage,” she whispered. “Stay firm.”
When negotiations resumed, Kevin’s attorney proposed an equal split of assets.
Olivia countered with reimbursement for misused funds, compensation for emotional distress supported by documented evidence, and full retention of my independent earnings.
Kevin protested.
“This is excessive.”
“It’s equitable,” Olivia corrected.
By sunset, he signed.
The final ruling came one month later.
The judge cited financial misconduct and deception.
Kevin was ordered to repay misappropriated funds.
