---- It was covered in dense text. But one phrase burned in his vision: "Final Decree of Divorce." His breath hitched. His hands trembled as he snatched it up. "When..." He pulled out his phone to call her, but was met witha cold, automated voice. "The number you have dialed is not in service..." He tried again and again, but the result was the same. Finn opened his contacts, searching for any of her friends' numbers, only to realize he knew nothing about her social circle. He'd never even saved her number to his phone. He opened WhatsApp and sent a message: "Where are you?" Asingle gray checkmark appeared. ---- Her profile picture was gone, replaced by a gray silhouette. It hit him then that for three years, all of their communication had been initiated by her. He had never once truly cared where she was or what she was doing. And now, Victoria was gone. As Finn was reeling, his phone rang. It was Elena. "Finn, I heard... that you and Victoria are divorced?" she asked, her voice a careful, probing whisper. Finn was silent for a long moment before grunting, " Yeah." Elena could barely contain her excitement. "Finn... I've wanted to tell you ever since I came back. I never forgot you all these years..." She paused, her voice turning coy. "If you want... we could start again... Finn was stunned. ---- He used to dream of hearing those words. For all the years Elena was gone, he hadn't stopped thinking about her, even in those rare moments of drunken intimacy with Victoria. But now, holding the divorce decree, standing in this cavernous, empty house, he couldn't process it. Elena was still talking, but his mind was flooded with images of Victoria. Victoria in an apron, bustling around the kitchen. Victoria curled up on the sofa with a book. Victoria, her voice soft as she reminded him to take care of himself. Even Victoria, draped in a silk nightgown beside him in bed, the curve of her back a familiar, painful silhouette... His vision blurred. "Finn? Are you still there?" Elena pressed. ---- But he couldn't hear her anymore. "Elena, I'm sorry," he cut in. "I'm not in the mood to talk about this right now." That night, Finn sat in his study, his MacBook open to the New York State Bar Association's news page. He scrolled aimlessly, his thoughts a tangled mess. Suddenly, a notification popped up. BREAKING: Legal Legend 'Vicky' Makes Powerful Comeback, Crushing Silicon Valley Giant in First Case! He clicked the link. The screen filled with a courtroom photo. Finn's breath caught in his throat. The woman in the picture... It was Victoria.