"Ms. Finch, have we met before?"
Her smile widened. "You really have a short memory, Mr. Dickerson. Don't you remember? When you were doing your graduate work at Seabrook University, your advisor was Professor Les Finch—my grandfather."
"I met you at his house more than once."
"That was you!"
It all came flooding back.
But...
Margery had changed completely.
Back then, she could be summed up in one phrase: disheveled bookworm. Every time he'd seen her at the professor's house, she'd been buried in textbooks, hair a mess, face bare. Now, years later, she hadn't just transformed—she'd metamorphosed entirely.
"You remember now!"
Margery removed her sunglasses, revealing a pair of striking eyes.
With the glasses on, the effect had been muted. Without them, her features came together in something approaching dangerous beauty.
"My grandfather's retired now, spending his days at home. He mentions you often—always with fondness." Her voice softened. "His health has been declining lately. If you have time, would you consider visiting him?"
"Visit him, and I'll handle your divorce for free."
Wilfred fell silent.
Les Finch. Former dean of Seabrook Tech University's School of Mathematics. A world-renowned mathematician. And the guiding light of Wilfred's academic journey.
An irreplaceable mentor.
When Wilfred had entered the university's accelerated program as a teenager, Professor Finch had been one of his advisors. He'd been young, struggling with cafeteria food, and the old man had often brought him home for proper meals.
He could still taste Mrs. Finch's mouth-watering chicken.
The professor's face surfaced in his memory—that warm, weathered smile.
Wilfred's head dropped.
"I'm sorry. I can't. I... don't have the face to see him."
Years ago, when he'd chosen to marry into the Pruitt family and abandon his studies, he'd told the professor himself. He could still remember the look in those eyes.
Utter devastation.
Margery stood outside the car, watching Wilfred's bowed head, the shame written across his features. Something tightened in her chest.
"I know some of what happened with your marriage back then. I know it wasn't entirely your choice."
"What I want to say is this: Wilfred, you're free now. If you still have dreams, chase them."
"No one's going to hold you back anymore."
"We're all waiting to see you rise again."
"Thank you, Miss Finch."