---- Chapter 5 Finn's POV Finn stood on the street below Elena's Upper East Side apartment, a Cartier box in his hand. Inside lay the emerald necklace that Victoria had helped him choose. The afternoon sun caught the diamonds, making them glitter. But all he could see was the look in Victoria's eyes as it had shifted from anticipation to disappointment. His knuckles were white as he gripped the box. I should go back and buy one for her, too. But he didn't know if he could ever go back. He rang the doorbell. Elena answered wearing a silk robe, a seductive smile on her face. "Finn? What a surprise!" "T'm here to help you with those new scripts, ---- remember?" he said, his mind elsewhere. "Oh, right! I completely forgot," she laughed lightly. " Let me just get changed." On the way to Lincoln Center, Elena chattered excitedly about her upcoming tour, but Finn's thoughts kept drifting. At lunch, Elena thoughtfully cut his steak and poured him a glass of red wine. "Something's on your mind." "Is it that obvious?" "Your left eye twitches when you're nervous." She reached out and gently stroked his temple. "I remember all your little habits." Finn froze. Victoria had said the exact same thing to him once. The clink of a knife and fork against a plate sounded unnaturally loud in the quiet restaurant as he sank into a deep, troubling silence. That afternoon, during the ballet, Elena's hand crept ---- over his. He hesitated for a moment before taking it. But the necklace remained in his pocket. The spark was gone. He didn't want to give it to Elena anymore. As evening fell, Elena suggested a drink at a bar, and he absentmindedly agreed. Before they left, he excused himself to the restroom, hoping a splash of cold water would clear his head. But the man staring back at him from the mirror looked exhausted, his eyes hollow. A jolt went through him. Finn Cross, what are you doing?! he asked himself, his reflection a stranger. You're with Elena, so why can't you get Victoria out of your head?! He shook his head, trying to force her from his