We had also spent years treating wealth as proof that our decisions were justified.

I could acknowledge the good without pretending the harm did not exist.

We consulted separate lawyers.

Property discussions were slow and contentious.

I refused to make promises about settlements I could not control or announce consequences before legal review.

I also arranged for Penelope to have an independent counselor who could support her without reporting private conversations to either parent.

One evening she asked me, “If you and Mom separate, do I lose you too?”