Ethan Sullivan wheeled Sophia Laurent toward the parking lot in her wheelchair.

He bent down to lift her into the car.

But Sophia braced herself against the armrests and slid into the seat with practiced ease.

She removed her hat and scarf.

A sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead.

Ethan climbed in after her.

"Let's go straight to the courthouse," Sophia said, staring ahead. "No need to schedule another time."

"You just left the hospital." His voice tightened.

"It's happening either way."

"Grandma and Grandpa will be devastated."

Sophia pressed her lips together. "They've endured enough already."

"Mom and Natalie—"

"Grace will understand," Sophia cut him off. "Natalie and I will still be friends."

Ethan suddenly seized her hand. "What about me?"

Her fingers trembled slightly. "This too shall pass. Just like you and Isabella—"

"It's different." His interruption was sharp. "We share blood."

Sophia turned her face away.

She feared her resolve might crumble if she listened any longer.

"To the courthouse," she instructed the driver.

The car pulled away.

Ethan sat motionless as a statue.

Sophia watched the blur of scenery through the window.

At the courthouse lobby, the clerk accepted their paperwork. "Are you certain about this?"

"Absolutely." Sophia's voice was barely audible.

Ethan stood rigid beside her.

"Sign here." She offered him a pen.

He abruptly pulled out his phone. "Salvatore's been arrested."

A news photo filled the screen.

"We don't have to do this now." His words came out rough.

Sophia shook her head.

Victor Sullivan remained an insurmountable obstacle.

"Please sign." Her tone bordered on pleading.

Ethan's eyes reddened. "Do you truly want this?"

She refused to meet his gaze.

The pen scratched across paper.

The divorce certificate burned in her palm.

"What about remarriage procedures?" Ethan asked suddenly.

Sophia dragged him outside without answering.

Sunlight stabbed at her eyes.

Across the street, a café sign glowed: "Love at First Sight."

"Let's have coffee," Ethan suggested.

The cappuccino's foam dissolved into nothingness.

"Drink less," Sophia murmured.

"The Moon Bay house—"

"I need a fresh start." She cut him off.

His knuckles whitened. "Including me?"

Sophia nodded.

The air between them froze solid.

"Remember three years ago?" he asked abruptly.

Her grip tightened around the cup.

She remembered him confined to a wheelchair.

Remembered the shadows in his eyes.

"I should go." She stood abruptly.

Beside the black Range Rover, Ethan studied the vehicle. "You like this car?"

"Grace's taste." Sophia forced a smile.

Her phone vibrated.

A bank transfer notification appeared.

"Pick one you prefer," he said.

As she reached for the door handle—

Ethan yanked her into an embrace.

His lips brushed her forehead.

Her heartbeat roared in her ears.

"Did you ever love me?" His whisper grazed her ear.

Tears welled hot behind her eyelids.

"It doesn't matter anymore."

She scrambled into the car.

In the rearview mirror—

His figure shrank smaller.

Then vanished around the corner.

The dam finally broke.