I smelled a rat. But how will you tell any recovery software that your portions belong together?
If you recover under linux you can use mdadm to combine some smaller devices into a bigger virtual one.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mdadm
I have no experience with mdadm. I guess that is the listed non-raid configuration type "linear". You could duplicate your disk into a file on your mdadm virtual drive. Next thing would be to make that file available over a local network so that you could use MS Windows-based recovery software if you want to.
This is just a hint. Don't ask me details. Better wait until you can afford another 4TB drive!