Three weeks earlier, he had gone to the office of my attorney, Melissa Chen, and signed a marital property agreement.

Under that agreement he took his agreed share of the equity in cash.

The mortgage lender approved my refinance after reviewing my income, my savings, and the help I had received through a documented loan from my late aunt’s estate.

The quitclaim deed was then signed, notarized, delivered, and recorded.

Melissa had made certain I understood every line before anything happened.

Nothing about it was secret.