He walked past the security guards, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on me.

He did not look like a federal agent.

He looked like someone much more dangerous.

The man stopped at the foot of the stairs, pulling a ringing phone from his pocket.

He answered it, kept his eyes locked on mine, and spoke in a low, urgent tone.

“I found her,” the man said into the phone.

“She’s here.”

The man lowered his phone and slid it back into his breast pocket.

He stepped forward, his leather shoes clicking against the polished marble floor.

“Mrs. Arden,” he said, bowing his head slightly. “I am sorry for the delay.”

“Mr. Vance,” I said, my voice steady. “Did you secure the signatures from the magistrate?”

He opened his briefcase and pulled out a thick stack of documents bound in blue paper.

“The court has processed the emergency filing,” Mr. Vance said.

He looked at Daniel, who stood pale and trembling by the stairs.

“Your marriage to Daniel Mercer is legally terminated, effective thirty minutes ago,” Mr. Vance added.

Vivian let out a sharp, choked gasp.