Ok, now what?

The water is off.
The puller is a kind of neat little tool..but the handle still acts like it's being held on by a screw/threads.

I can open the handle a little more than I tried (in case there was a unscrew thing there) but I'm kind of nervous about forcing it too hard.

If I cut/cap the line, I will be without hot water to the tub and I absolutely hate that idea..