The courthouse steps were cold, even through the thin soles of my shoes. The gray stone seemed to absorb the muted light of the overcast sky, mirroring the somber finality of the day. The divorce was finalized. Julian’s assets were frozen pending the results of his fraud and bribery trial. He was, for all intents and purposes, a ruined man.
The media frenzy of the past few months had died down to a dull roar, the reporters having moved on to the next scandal. Only a few stray photographers lingered, hoping for a final, pathetic shot. They would get it.
As my lawyer shook my hand, murmuring congratulations, the heavy oak doors of the courthouse swung open. Julian emerged, blinking in the daylight like a creature unearthed from a long, dark hibernation. He wasn't in a bespoke suit anymore.
