The repair costs were charged against his portion of the settlement.
The house remained mine.
And the remaining disputes over vehicles, savings, furniture, and retirement funds were finally resolved.
There was no dramatic speech.
No moment when the judge shouted or slammed a gavel.
She simply made her rulings.
Signed the necessary documents.
And declared the hearing finished.
After eight months, that was enough.
***
As we walked through the courthouse hallway, Brian hurried after us.
“Nicole, wait.”
I stopped.
Perhaps out of habit.
After nine years of marriage, I was still accustomed to turning when he called my name.
Claire stepped between us.
“Brian, any further communication should go through counsel.”
He ignored her.
“You made it look like I destroyed the entire house.”
I looked at him.
Months earlier, I might have cried.
I might have argued until my voice broke.
He would have called me emotional.
And somehow, I’d have ended up defending my own feelings.
