He remained silent. I continued speaking. “You spent most of your time driving around delivering merchandise. I was the one who registered the business paperwork, opened the bank accounts, and signed the contracts.”
The courtroom grew very quiet. “I always believed we were building everything together,” I said softly. “That is why I never thought it was important to mention that the majority of the shares were in my name.”
Brandon’s father stood up angrily and shouted, “This is a trap.”
The judge struck the desk firmly and ordered silence. My lawyer then spoke calmly and confirmed that every document had been legally registered and verified.
Brandon slowly sat back down, his face noticeably pale. After a moment he asked quietly, “So you plan to keep everything?”
The entire room seemed to wait for my answer. I took a slow breath and gently shook my head. “No.”
My response surprised everyone, including my own lawyer. I looked directly at Brandon and said, “I do not want to destroy what we built together.”
His eyebrows tightened with confusion. “Then what do you want?”
I thought for a moment before answering clearly. “Justice.”
I placed another document on the table. “The company will be divided equally. You will manage the stores in the northern districts of Phoenix, and I will take responsibility for the southern locations. From today forward our paths will be completely separate.”
Brandon stared at me as if he were trying to understand something he had overlooked for many years. Finally he lowered his eyes and signed the divorce papers.
The sound of the pen moving across the paper felt strangely final, like the closing of a long chapter. The judge officially announced the divorce, and people began leaving the courtroom.
Brandon remained seated while staring at the table. As I stood up to leave he called out quietly, “Wait.”
I stopped but did not turn immediately. “What is it?” I asked.
His voice sounded softer now. “I never thanked you.”
I turned slowly. “For what?”
He gave a small bitter laugh before answering. “For those first years. Without you none of this would have happened.”
For the first time in many years I saw real sincerity in his expression. The feeling no longer hurt me because it simply felt distant.