A slight quiver of her hand, and the words on the document became a blur.

"Alexis!" Leonel's plea was desperate as he reached for her hand.

She jerked away, sending ink splattering across his shirt, a permanent mark of this moment. Yet, the onlookers were indifferent to the stain.

Her signature was swift. She reviewed the document for a mere two seconds before sliding it across to him.

He caught her eye for a fleeting second.

Looking elsewhere, her voice rough, Alexis murmured, "Sign it."

He hesitated, even though he had conceded to this ending. She had become unwell, and he was the villain.

Curiously, as they stood on the brink of the end, her past gentleness washed over him.

The squabbles, the grievances, all seemed to fade, leaving behind a raw reluctance. In his deepest desires, he'd forsake everything for her pardon and to hold her once more.

Tears clouded Leonel's vision as he bowed his head, pen to paper, finalizing their separation.

Soon after, they each held a certificate-stark proof of a shared life dissolved.

Silently, Alexis departed.

"Alexis!"

The name escaped Leonel's lips, a reflex. He almost reached out to her, but the truth of their severed bond-and her evident revulsion-stopped him. His hand fell lifelessly. Watching her retreat, he whispered, “Believe it or not, you're the only one for me."

There was no reply from Alexis, her silence a chasm now between them.

Leonel's heart sank. Olivia's taunt cut through. "Seems you've mastered leaving. Might as well have stayed with that one outside, for all the good it did."

Upon exiting, Alexis found herself amidst a sea of reporters, their questions pelting down Like rain.

"Ms. Fowler, is it over with Mr. Douglas?"

“Was it Anika who tipped the scales?"

"Do you think Mr. Douglas will wed again soon?"