The next few days were a haze of confusion and heartbreak. Kate reached out to friends and family, gathering support and advice. Her best friend, Laura, was a rock through it all. “You have to fight this, Kate,” she urged. “You can’t just let him take everything away from you.”

Encouraged by Laura, Kate hired a lawyer. The first consultation was daunting, but it offered a glimmer of hope. “Let’s go over every detail,” the lawyer said, peering over his glasses. “With any luck, we can find something in your favor.”

Weeks stretched into months as the legal battle commenced. Mark had indeed left loopholes and backdoors in the financial arrangements, but Kate’s meticulous record-keeping and her apartment sale documentation provided a strong foundation for her case. It was a slow and painful process, each meeting with the lawyer bringing a mix of hope and dread.