“So, if you settle, you pay a fine and no . . . prison, or anything else?”

Keith nodded. “That’s the hope. That’s what usually happens in minor cases like this. But, Jaya, it may be a pretty significant fine. It may change . . . everything.”

“What would it change?” Jaya said softly.

“Well, I may have to sell the condo, and . . . I’m not sure what else. That’s why I wanted to put aside money for you and Karina, for your future needs, so you don’t have to worry.” His voice cracked a little. “I’m not sure it will be enough, but . . .” He shrugged again, his throat clamped shut.

“Okay. I’m not worried.” Jaya smiled and sat back in her seat, releasing his hands.

“Okay?” Keith asked. “That’s it?”

“Well, if you learned from your mistake, and you’re going to be okay, the rest is just money and things.” Her face glowed as the smile spread to her eyes. “We can handle that, whatever it is.”

A small cry escaped Keith’s throat as relief flooded his body. We.

“I can sell the house. I don’t need it, or the new account you established,” Jaya continued. “So, you can count on that for your settlement too.”

“No,” Keith said, shaking his head. “The house is in your name—”

“Keith,” Jaya said. “I don’t need any of that. I can live with very little. I already am, just inside a big empty house with a big bank account I barely touch.”

Keith blinked rapidly, trying to keep her in focus as tears welled in his eyes.

“I appreciate what you’ve done all these years,” Jaya continued, “keeping the house while Karina was here and securing her education—”

“Well, you know our daughter, she’s done most of that herself,” Keith quipped, prompting a smile from Jaya. For the first time, he saw her pronounced lack of material need as an intrinsic quality, not an indictment of his value in their relationship. He’d never understood it this way before and he felt a surge of gratitude along with profound regret over the loss of their marriage. The waiter returned with their entrées. Jaya never had an appetizer, claiming she didn’t need all the courses restaurants pressured you to order, and tonight, Keith had unconsciously done the same to parallel her. How many dozens of ways had he changed shape to accommodate her when they were together? He missed the counterbalance of her in his life.

“And I appreciate what you’ve done for me,” Jaya continued. “Without the means, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I’ve done these last years. It’s important to me, so I’m grateful.”

Keith hadn’t expected this reaction. They were no longer married; she didn’t owe him any kindness, and yet she had offered it, unsought. Jaya had shown him more understanding and support than even his own father had. Perhaps she’d never been as one-dimensional in her judgment of his ambition and materialism as he’d always thought. Perhaps her view was more a reflection of her personal values and less about him. Her reaction tonight was grounded and calming, and he felt its effect spreading to him. The rest is just money and things, he repeated silently to himself as he drove home from dinner, more settled than he had felt in a long time.