Brenda wanted to return to the house to collect personal belongings and suggested we could settle the marriage privately if I stopped discussing the patio incident.

“We can’t negotiate away an investigation,” Nora said.

“And your daughter’s welfare isn’t a bargaining chip.”

We arranged a supervised property collection through counsel without committing to anything else.

I wasn’t present.

Brenda’s belongings were listed and handled according to the agreed process.

When I eventually returned to the house, it felt unfamiliar.

The yellow marigolds still bloomed beside the patio.