The restraining order hearing was set for two weeks out.
Wanyin spent every day preparing. Going through evidence with Sister Mei. Practicing her testimony with Dr. Wang. Learning how to stay calm under pressure.
"He'll try to rattle you," Dr. Wang warned. "Make you seem unstable, emotional. You need to stay composed no matter what he says."
"What if I can't? What if I break down?"
"Then you break down. It's not a sign of weakness. But try to stay focused on the facts. This happened. He did this. Here's the proof."
Meilin was preparing her own divorce filing. She'd hired the best lawyer money could buy, someone with no connection to Shen Jingwei's business circles.
"He's panicking," she reported to Wanyin over coffee. "His lawyer keeps calling, offering settlements. Trying to make this go away quietly."
"Are you tempted?"
"Not for a second. I want him exposed. I want everyone to know what kind of man he really is."
The night before the hearing, Wanyin couldn't sleep. She kept going over her statement, her evidence, trying to anticipate what his lawyers would ask.
Around 3am, her phone buzzed.
Unknown number. She almost didn't read it.
But curiosity won.
"I loved you. I gave you everything. Why are you doing this to me?"
Not threatening this time. Sad. Plaintive.
It should have felt like manipulation. And it was manipulation.
But it also stirred something in her. A fragment of memory.
"I love you," he'd said. They were in bed, his arms around her. "More than anything. You know that, right?"
"I know."
"I'd do anything for you."
"I know."
"Then trust me. Trust that I know what's best for us."
The memory faded, leaving Wanyin shaking.
He'd used love as a weapon. Twisted it into control.
She deleted the message without responding.
The courthouse was intimidating.
Marble floors, high ceilings, the weight of law hanging in the air.
Wanyin wore the most professional outfit she could find - borrowed from Sister Mei. Plain black pants, white blouse. Nothing flashy. Looking small made her seem more sympathetic, Sister Mei had said.
Shen Jingwei arrived with three lawyers. All men, all expensive suits. He looked calm, confident.
When their eyes met across the hallway, he smiled. Just slightly.
Like this was all a game he knew he'd win.
The hearing was short. Both sides presented evidence. Wanyin showed the texts, the photos of the vandalized bookstore, witness statements from Mrs. Zhou and Sister Mei.
Shen Jingwei's lawyers argued it was all circumstantial. The texts could be from anyone. The vandalism had no proof linking it to him. The witnesses were biased.
"My client is a respected businessman," his lead lawyer said. "He's concerned about Miss Xu's mental health following her accident. His contact with her has been motivated solely by care and concern."
"Care and concern doesn't involve threatening messages," Wanyin's lawyer countered. "Or showing up at her workplace repeatedly after being asked to stay away."
The judge listened to both sides with an impassive expression.
"I'm granting a temporary restraining order," she finally said. "Mr. Shen is to stay at least 200 meters away from Miss Xu at all times. No contact via phone, email, or third parties. We'll reconvene in sixty days for a full hearing to determine if the order should be made permanent."
Sixty days. Two months of safety.
But as they left the courthouse, Shen Jingwei's lawyer caught up with Wanyin.
"My client would like to speak with you. Just five minutes."
"The restraining order—"
"Isn't official until tomorrow. Technically he can still approach you today."
Wanyin looked at Sister Mei, who shook her head firmly.
But Shen Jingwei was already walking over.
"Wanyin. Please. Just hear me out."
She should have walked away. Should have refused to engage.
But part of her wanted to hear what he'd say. Needed to understand.
"Five minutes," she said. "Here in public where people can see us."
Sister Mei stayed close, arms crossed, ready to intervene.
Shen Jingwei looked tired up close. Like he hadn't been sleeping either.
"I don't understand why you're doing this," he said quietly. "We were happy. You loved me."
"I don't remember that."
"Because of the accident. But before that, before you got confused, we were good together. I took care of you. Gave you everything you needed."
"Everything you decided I needed. That's not love. That's ownership."
"I never owned you—"
"You paid for my apartment so I'd be dependent on you. You isolated me from my friends. You made every part of my life run through you so I couldn't leave. That's ownership."
His expression hardened. "You're listening to people who don't understand our relationship. That shelter, those women, they've poisoned your mind against me."
"They opened my eyes."
"To lies! Wanyin, I would never hurt you. Everything I did was to protect you, to keep you safe—"
"Safe from what? From living my own life?"
He was getting agitated now, his voice rising. "You don't understand how the world works. You're naive, vulnerable. Without me you'll fail."
"Then I'll fail. At least I'll do it on my own terms."
"This isn't over. The restraining order, it's temporary. Once you remember, once you come to your senses—"
"I won't. I'm not coming back, Jingwei. Not ever."
She turned to leave.
He grabbed her arm.
Immediately Sister Mei stepped between them. "Let her go. Now."
"This is a private conversation—"
"You're violating the spirit of the restraining order. Release her or I call the police."
He let go, hands up in surrender. But his eyes were dark with anger.
"You'll regret this," he said to Wanyin. "When you're alone and broke and no one wants you, you'll remember what you gave up."
"I'll remember my freedom."
They left him standing there, surrounded by his expensive lawyers, looking like a man who couldn't understand why his money couldn't fix everything.