Part 4: The House Meeting

Rosa arranged a meeting with Marcus's attorney to discuss temporary use of the house and access to personal belongings. I attended by video from Amina's spare room. Marcus sat in his lawyer's office, the folder I had refused to sign beside him.

His attorney explained that Elise was looking for a place to live and that Marcus wanted her to move into the house. Rosa explained my position: the property was disputed, and neither of us should treat an unsigned proposal as a final division. The attorneys discussed options for temporary arrangements and agreed to seek a written agreement before anyone changed the living situation.

Marcus looked at the camera. “You could make this easy.”

“Easy for whom?” I asked.

His attorney suggested a pause. We took ten minutes. Amina brought me water and did not ask what had been said. When the meeting resumed, we agreed on a supervised time for me to collect personal items and business records. We did not resolve ownership that day.

At the house, I brought a list. Rosa had suggested photographing the rooms and recording what I took, not because every object was valuable but because clear records could prevent another dispute. A neutral person agreed by both attorneys was present. Marcus stayed in the kitchen while I collected clothes, family photographs, and a small painting my mother had made.

The house looked almost unchanged. A pair of unfamiliar shoes stood by the door. I reminded myself that I did not know whose they were. I had spent enough time building stories from incomplete information.

In the study, I found the box containing our original property documents. The purchase file included the deposit receipt, mortgage records, and a letter from the lender. I gave copies to Rosa. She explained that the documents were relevant but that the final division would depend on the applicable law, the full financial history, and any agreement or court decision.

Before I left, Marcus asked whether I had spoken to his mother. I said I had asked about the support payments.

“She shouldn't have to worry about money,” he said.

“I agree she deserves clear information. That doesn't mean you can decide what I pay without asking me.”

He said nothing. The neutral person noted the time, and I carried the last box to the car.

That afternoon Elise sent me a message. She said she had learned that the house arrangements were disputed and did not want to move into a conflict. She also said her company had done work for Marcus but had not known the payments came from my business account.

I did not question her. I thanked her for contacting me and gave the message to Rosa, who could decide how to request the records properly. Elise's statement was important information, not a finding.

At Amina's apartment, I unpacked the painting. It showed a harbor in winter, with a single boat near the edge. My mother had painted it when she was learning, and the perspective was slightly wrong. She had left the error visible because she liked the colors.

Amina helped me hang it above the desk. “Does it feel like yours here?” she asked.

“A little.”

The house dispute remained unresolved. My business records still needed review. Yet I had my documents, my team, and people who would tell me when I was guessing. For that evening, the painting and the clear desk were enough.