Roger looked at Eric. "I accept responsibility for my actions. And Kimberly is responsible for hers."
Eric moved on.
Roger felt no victory, only fatigue. The deposition lasted four hours and 19 minutes.
When it ended, Roger walked outside and sat in his Explorer without starting the engine. His hands rested on the steering wheel.
For the first time in weeks, he wanted to quit.
Not the divorce. The process.
He imagined calling Amanda.
Take the offer.
Split everything.
Forget the HELOC.
Forget the savings.
Forget K&W.
Forget Jason.
Pay whatever it cost and make the whole thing stop.
Roger closed his eyes. He could almost feel the relief.
Then he remembered the $11,400 invoice.
Home renovation expense.
Maplecrest Avenue.
He remembered Jason's email.
"Roger never checks anything."
He remembered the notarized document dated while he was in Chicago.
Roger opened his eyes. A bad settlement would not create peace. It would simply make exhaustion permanent.
He started the Ford.
The following week, Amanda suggested mediation.
"It's time," she said.
Roger sat across from her desk. "You think they'll negotiate?"
"I think both sides are spending money."
"That isn't an answer."
"No. It's a reason."
Roger considered it. "What happens to the lender review?"
"It continues independently. Natalie's tracing is almost finished."
Roger nodded. "Then let's mediate."
The first mediation session was scheduled for a Thursday. Roger arrived at 8:15 a.m. Kimberly and Eric occupied a separate conference room.
Roger did not see her. For nine hours, proposals moved between rooms.
The mediator asked about the Worthington house. Kimberly wanted to remain there.
Roger listened. He expected himself to resist. Instead, he asked Amanda one question.
"Can she afford it?"
Amanda looked at the numbers. "That depends on refinancing, final debt allocation, and the buyout amount."
Roger nodded. "If she can refinance legally and buy out whatever interest is ultimately determined to be mine, I'm willing to discuss it."
Amanda watched him. "You don't want the house?"
"I don't know."
That was still true.
The mediator carried the proposal to the other room. Forty minutes later, he returned. Kimberly wanted temporary possession to become permanent ownership as part of settlement.
She also wanted a valuation date favorable to her position.
Roger studied the worksheet. "What about the HELOC?"
"Still disputed," Amanda said.
"And K&W?"
"Still disputed."
"Then we're trying to divide a house before we know what debts belong around it."
Amanda nodded. "That's one problem."
The other problem was refinancing. Kimberly would need to qualify for a new loan large enough to remove Roger from the existing mortgage obligations and fund any agreed buyout.