The duo had purchased a modest home together after years of uneven power. The homeowner worked on-call nights, handled every chore, and served as sole caretaker for the cats, while the partner commuted, complained, and stored resentment. When the relationship collapsed, both agreed to part on equal terms, each reclaiming original investments. Peace lasted until a squabble over a broken vacuum triggered the nuclear option: the partner demanded either a larger payout or custody of the cats.