Chapter 10: The Last Thing He Said
The formal settlement meeting took place three weeks later.
Graham had arranged a neutral location — a conference room in his firm's offices, pale walls and a long table and water glasses that nobody touched.
Daniel arrived with his lawyer, a man named Forsythe who wore an expensive suit and the expression of someone managing a situation he found distasteful.
Daniel looked well.
The transplant had taken.
His colour was good, his posture upright.
He was wearing a shirt I had bought him two birthdays ago.
He sat down across from me and did not look at me directly.
Forsythe opened with a summary of the proposed terms.
Graham responded with our amendments.
They went back and forth for forty minutes on three specific clauses — the structured payment timeline, the property valuation date, and a clause Graham had inserted regarding full financial disclosure of any assets connected to Hargrove Solutions or its subsidiaries.
Daniel didn't like that clause.
"That's overly broad," Forsythe said.
"My client has already provided—"
"Your client has provided what he chose to provide," Graham said pleasantly.
"The clause ensures completeness.
If there's nothing left to disclose, it costs him nothing to sign it."
Forsythe looked at Daniel.
Daniel looked at the table.
"Fine," Daniel said.
They worked through the remaining clauses.
The custody arrangement was confirmed — primary residence with me, regular scheduled time with Daniel, all major decisions requiring mutual agreement.
Forsythe tried once to soften the language around decision-making authority.
Graham did not soften it.
At the end, Forsythe gathered his papers and stepped out to make a call.
Graham followed to handle the final documentation, leaving Daniel and me alone in the conference room for the first time.
He looked at the water glass in front of him.
"I didn't think you'd find all of it," he said.
"I know."
"The Patricia situation — I want you to know that was never—"
"Daniel." I kept my voice even.
"I don't need you to explain it to me.
The courts will work out what it was."
He was quiet for a moment.
"How are the kids?"
"They're managing.
They're strong." I paused.
"They get that from their grandmother."
He almost smiled.
Then he seemed to remember where he was and what he had done, and the almost-smile faded.
"I did love you," he said.
"At the beginning.
I want you to know that."
I looked at him across the table.
"I gave you a kidney, Daniel," I said.
"I loved you enough to do that.
And you were planning the divorce paperwork while I was in recovery." I picked up my bag from the floor.
"Whatever you felt at the beginning doesn't change what you chose to do."
He had nothing left to say.
I walked out before Forsythe came back.
Graham was in the corridor.
He handed me a signed copy of the settlement document without ceremony.
"It's done," he said.
I looked at the document in my hands.
Forty-three pages.
Fifteen years.
"Thank you," I said.
May you like
"Go home," he said.
"Your children are waiting."
