Roger had not seen Jason since the night he walked out of the Worthington house. There had been attorney letters, business records, emails.
His name appeared constantly. The man himself had vanished from Roger's physical life.
Roger felt no need to change that.
Kimberly looked away first. Roger entered his conference room. Negotiations began at 9:00 a.m.
This time the numbers were harder to argue around. Natalie's report provided dates, sources, destinations, supporting records.
Eric challenged classifications. Amanda challenged assumptions in Kimberly's proposal. The mediator carried spreadsheets between rooms.
By noon, several issues had narrowed. By 2:00, they had tentative treatment for certain retirement accounts.
By 3:15, Roger's business interest had become the next major issue. A valuation specialist had assessed his minority interest in the commercial inspection consultancy.
The number was significant. Kimberly's side argued that part of the value developed during the marriage and had to be addressed.
Amanda did not pretend otherwise. Roger listened. There was no secret clause that protected everything simply because he had worked for it.
Marriage had financial consequences. So did divorce.
Roger accepted that the goal was not to leave Kimberly with nothing. The goal was to leave with numbers that could survive scrutiny.
They discussed offsets. Retirement assets. Cash.
Business equity. Property proceeds. Potential reimbursements.
The settlement began to resemble an engineering drawing. Every change moved load somewhere else.
At 4:40, the mediator returned to the Worthington house.
"Kimberly still wants it."
Roger looked at Amanda. "Can she refinance?"
The mediator hesitated. "Not under the current proposed debt structure."
There it was.
Roger felt no satisfaction, just clarity. Kimberly could want the house. The bank did not lend based on wanting.
Income. Debt. Equity. Credit.
Those determined what was possible.
"What is she proposing?" Amanda asked.
The mediator explained. Kimberly wanted additional time to refinance after the divorce. Roger would remain connected to certain obligations temporarily.
Roger shook his head before Amanda answered.
"No."
The mediator looked at him. "Let me finish."
"I'll listen."
He did.
The proposal gave Kimberly 12 months. Roger's name would remain attached during that period. If refinancing failed, the house would then be sold.
Roger waited until the mediator finished.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I have spent months trying to separate myself from financial obligations I didn't knowingly approve. I'm not agreeing to stay attached to another one for a year."
Amanda said nothing. She did not need to.
The mediator wrote something down. "What would you accept?"
"Refinance before final transfer, or sell."
Simple. Verifiable.
The mediator carried the answer away.
Two hours later, the response returned. Kimberly could not currently demonstrate the ability to complete the refinance under acceptable terms.
The house would likely have to be sold unless circumstances changed before final settlement.
Roger stared at the worksheet.
For 11 years, Ashborne Drive had been home.
Now a financing ratio had decided what emotion could not.
The negotiations continued into evening. By 7:30, an outline existed.
Not final, but close.
The house would be sold if refinancing could not be completed by the agreed deadline. Proceeds would be handled under the negotiated property framework.
Roger's business interest would remain with him, subject to valuation and offset. Certain retirement assets would remain with Kimberly.
Personal property would be divided separately. Disputed K&W-related amounts would receive specific treatment based on documented tracing and final agreements.
The lender-related obligations would be handled according to the lender's determination and settlement language.