I had never wanted a war. I only wanted the truth documented before anyone could rewrite it. Peter’s lawyer understood that quickly. The records were clear, and the messages left little room for explanation. Every item Peter had removed could be traced back to my money, and the house had always been legally mine. There was no argument strong enough to change those facts.

Peter eventually returned everything through his attorney. The movers placed the sectional back exactly where it had stood, and the dining table followed. Eleanor never came with them. The settlement awarded me the house, my savings, and a share of the promotion bonus Peter had tried to hide. When he signed the final papers, he looked across the table at me as though he were seeing someone he had never really known.