I worked two jobs to help fulfill my husband’s dream of becoming a doctor — at his graduation, he handed me divorce papers, but just as I was walking away, one of his classmates said, “Before you leave, there’s something you should know.”

By Tuesday, he had called three more times.

Ruth relayed the calls to me in brief, factual summaries.

“They want to negotiate,” she said on Tuesday evening.

“The account transfers to Cassandra’s holding company have them concerned.

They’re also concerned about Mia.”

I had met with Mia on Monday.

She was twenty-four, quieter than I had expected, and she had brought a folder of her own — printed emails between her sister and their father, discussing the hospital foundation contribution in terms that were careful but not careful enough.

“She’s willing to provide a written statement,” I told Ruth.

“I know.

I spoke with her this afternoon.

She’s also willing to speak with the medical licensing board directly if it comes to that.”

“Does it need to come to that?”

“It may not,” Ruth said.

“Nathan’s lawyer understands what that would mean for his client’s career before it begins.