I put the letter in the drawer beside my bed instead of making it a weapon in another argument.

PART 15

A Different Offer

Grant asked to meet at a café to discuss settlement without lawyers.

I declined a private meeting but agreed to a structured mediation session after David reviewed the proposal.

I hoped we could reduce the conflict, especially for the children.

At mediation Grant offered to relinquish any claim he believed he might have to the house if I gave him a substantial immediate payment from the inheritance and agreed that he could tell the children I had caused the separation.

The mediator stopped the discussion and separated the legal financial issues from proposed statements to the children.