Preston wanted certain investments.

I wanted a clean separation from financial obligations he had incurred without adequate disclosure.

Experts examined accounts and disputed valuations.

Once, during mediation, Preston stared at me and asked, “Are you really going to throw away seven years?”

“I didn’t throw them away,” I replied.

“I lived them.”

He looked startled by the answer.

I continued, “I won’t spend the next seven pretending the last seven taught me nothing.”