Alice

I walked slowly down the staircase, gripping a large, brown envelope containing the divorce finalization papers. Reaching the bottom step, I paused, looking up to see Xavier descending towards me. His polished shoes clicked against the stairs, echoing through the hallway.

As he approached, he extended a hand, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, this is it. I can officially call you my ex-wife, right?"

I smiled, inhaling the scent of his cologne as I took his hand. "Not for long, Xavier," I replied, our handshake brief but firm.

We broke apart, and together, we walked towards the car waiting for us outside. The driver stood by the door,...