Chapter 5 - Ethan Offered Me a Settlement Before I Asked for a Divorce

Three days after the party, Ethan’s attorney sent mine a proposal.

He called it:

Voluntary Marital Resolution.

I had not yet filed for divorce.

The proposal assumed I would.

That bothered James immediately.

“How long has this draft existed?”

Metadata later showed an earlier version had been created six weeks before my birthday.

Before the wine.

Before the assault.

Before Ethan knew, supposedly, that I knew about Vanessa.

The terms were remarkably generous on the surface.

I kept our downtown townhouse.

Received $750,000.

Waived any claim involving Carter Construction entities or family trusts.

Confidentiality.

Mutual non-disparagement.

No civil claim relating to “incidents occurring at private family social functions.”

I read that clause again.

“Incidents?”

James nodded.

“They drafted language broad enough to include the party.”

“Six weeks before the party?”

“An earlier version had similar language.”

I felt cold.

“They expected something.”

“Maybe.”

James would not overstate it.

Then:

“The larger issue is the waiver.”

Carter Construction belonged primarily to Robert.

Ethan held minority interests through family structures.

During our marriage, he received distributions, bonuses, and some equity-related compensation.

I had never involved myself.

They called me “uninterested in business.”

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