John's POV

The courthouse doors swung shut behind us, and for the first time in years, I felt… hollow.

The clerk’s words still rang in my head: uncontested divorce. Final judgment in three months. But it was as good as done. Ruby and I were no longer husband and wife.

She walked ahead of me down the steps, shoulders straight, chin high. She looked lighter. Like signing those papers had freed her. That should’ve been me. I should’ve been the one walking away with pride. Instead, I ...