That night, I had dinner with Jessica and Justin at a quiet restaurant. My friend was completely outraged by their demands.
“I would not give those horrible people a single penny of your money,” Jessica said.Line
“I am not giving it to them because they are right,” I replied to her. “I am giving it to them to buy my time, my peace of mind, and my absolute freedom.”
Justin shook his head in disagreement.
“Freedom should never have to be bought with money,” he argued.
“It should not be,” I agreed. “But sometimes closing a toxic door quickly is much easier than spending years banging on it in court.”
At eight o’clock the next morning, Donald called my phone with news.
“They accepted your terms,” he said.
I felt the cool air finally returning to my lungs after days of holding my breath.
The legal agreement stipulated a divorce by mutual consent, a one-time refund of one hundred thousand dollars, the waiver by both parties of any future financial claims, and the strict commitment of Brandon and his family to cease any contact, publication, or accusation against me.
