The ongoing divorce between former Beatle Paul McCartney and animal rights activist Heather Mills is nearing its end, as the estranged spouses returned to court Monday to settle the terms of their divorce.

The romantic relationship between McCartney and Mills is one fairytale gone wrong, as what started out as surprising love, ended some four years later in nasty accusations and shocking revelations, mostly on Mills’ part.

The couple first announced imminent separation in May 2006; Mills, a former model, soon made distressing allegations against her soon-to-be-ex-husband, claiming he had been emotionally and physically abusive towards her.

The British press did not take this lightly, and Mills was soon branded a fantasist and fortune hunter, monikers she has always opposed furiously.

The animal rights activist nevertheless helps fuel rumors that she is after McCartney’s fortune, estimated to be worth some $1.6 billion.

Monday’s hearing will proceed behind closed doors; those curious to know what the two parties agree on will have to hope that either McCartney or Mills wish to disclose such information or else wait and see if the case moves to the Court of Appeal, according to media reports.

Besides the veteran singer’s astounding fortune, the former couple will also have to somehow share their young daughter. McCartney and Mills married in June 2002 and welcomed daughter Beatrice in October 2003. Their relationship came as a surprise to many, as the singer’s first wife, Linda McCartney, had died from breast cancer in 1998; they had been married for nearly three decades.

Beatrice is Mills’ only child; McCartney has four adult children from his marriage to Linda.

From a financial viewpoint, the case may result in the largest divorce settlement in British legal history. Family law expert Suzanne Kingston told BBC News that 40-year-old Mills could receive a sum between £50 million and £100 million.

“In Heather and Sir Paul's negotiations, making sure that their child Beatrice is properly provided for will be a key consideration, as will ensuring that there is not a vast disparity between Heather's lifestyle and Paul's as viewed by Beatrice,” she said.

Mills is reported to be representing herself, after firing her lawyers in November. That was also the month when she made a series of uncanny declarations, saying she and Beatrice had faced death threats and that her former husband failed to protect them.