It seems Nicholas Sparks‘ marriage did not have a storybook ending for quite some time.

On Tuesday, Jan. 6, ‘The Notebook’ author, 49, and his wife, Cathy, announced they were separating after 25 years of marriage. But now, a new report claims the couple’s wedded bliss actually ended several months ago.

According to ‘TMZ,’ Nicholas and Cathy allegedly filed a postmarital agreement stating neither party would seek alimony from the other in their impending breakup (and assumed subsequent divorce) back in August 2014.

nicholas sparks and family
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Nicholas with Cathy and three of his children at the LA premiere of ‘The Lucky One’ in April 2012.

“Cathy and I have separated,” the couple told ‘People’ of the breakup earlier this week.

“This is, of course, not a decision we’ve made lightly. We remain close friends with deep respect for each other and love for our children. For our children’s sake, we regard this as a private matter.”

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The couple married in 1989 and are parents to five children: sons Miles, Ryan, and Landon and twin daughters, Lexie and Savannah.