[quipp]

Chalk it up to life experience.

You should always have a contract even a simple hand written one is better than nothing. While you maybe getting screwed over you still, imho, need to take some personal accountability for not managing your business affairs. At least enough to the degree that permits you to let it go emotionally.

Also, how much money are we really talking about here? A few months work at just out of school wages? Seems to me like that's peanuts compared to real cost it has taken being on your mind over the years.