Chapter 4

The county courthouse was as depressing as I expected.

Years ago, when things were more stable, when we still believed in "us," Alexis and I had signed a post-nuptial agreement.

It wasn' t romantic, but we were pragmatic. If things ever went south, we wanted an amicable split, terms already agreed upon. A safety net.

She was supposed to be here today for the formal filing.

I checked my watch. Fifteen minutes late.

I called her.

"Jake? What is it? I' m a little busy."

Her voice was distant, music in the background, laughter. Ethan' s distinctive laugh.

"Alexis, the courthouse. We had an appointment."

"Oh, god, that. Can' t it wait? I' m at a spa day with Ethan, it' s for a wellness brand partnership. Super important."

A spa day. With Ethan. While I was filing for our divorce.

I held the phone out so the court clerk, a tired-looking woman named Ms. Davis, could hear.

Alexis was still talking. "Just reschedule it, Jake. Honestly, you pick the worst times."

She hung up.

Ms. Davis looked at me, then at the notarized post-nup in my hand.

"You have the signed agreement, she' s clearly... occupied," Ms. Davis said, a hint of sympathy in her voice. "Given the pre-existing, notarized terms and her... evident disinterest on speakerphone, I can proceed with processing this."

I nodded, a hollow feeling inside. "Thank you."

The safety net was being deployed.

Later that evening, my phone rang. Alexis.

She sounded cheerful, like nothing major had happened.

"Hey, just got back. That spa was amazing. Ethan is hilarious. What' s up?"

I didn' t answer her question.

"Do you know what day it is, Alexis?"

A pause. "Uh, Tuesday?"

"It' s the anniversary of my mother' s passing."

Silence.

Years ago, this day was sacred. She' d hold me, we' d share stories, she' d understand.

One year, early in our marriage, I had an unavoidable team commitment on this day. A crucial qualifier.

Alexis had a complete meltdown. Accused me of not caring, of prioritizing the team over her grief, over our shared remembrance of my mom.

The irony was a bitter pill.

Now, I could hear her shuffling papers on her end.

"Oh, Jake, I... I' m sorry, it totally slipped my mind. Things have been so hectic with the new brand campaigns."

Then, her voice brightened, oblivious. "Actually, speaking of, we' re planning this huge brand partnership launch party for Ethan. It' s going to be epic. We' re thinking of having it on..."

She trailed off, probably checking a calendar.

I already knew the date she was going to say.

The same day. My mother' s anniversary.

A launch party for Ethan.

I ended the call.