Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom

Chapter 20 An Excellent Opportunity

I glanced at the incessantly ringing phone, unsure how to describe my emotions. The timing was

impeccable because she called just as Matthew left. I knew he must’ve called her and reported the

situation as soon as he left.

I calmly answered the call, “Yes, Ivanna?”

real mood.

“What are you up to? is Ava okay?” Ivanna sounded like she was in a great

Of course, she would be in a great mood. She must be taking advantage of last night’s argument between.

Matthew and me.

“It seems like you’re free today to call me so early in the morning. There was a hint of sarcasm in my

tone.

“Well, I’m not a robot. Even I need to recharge and maintain myself!” Ivanna laughed. “Let’s go out.”

“Ava isn’t at school yet, so I’m just playing with her at home,” I replied.

“Oh? That’s great. Bring her along so I can spoil her a little. Since you weren’t in a good mood last time, I

talk to her for long.” Ivanna teased me.

was too good to pass up.

be fair if I didn’t use this chance to meet with

place? I’ve never been there because you’ve been hiding it from me. What if something happened to you? I won’t be able to find you

it were our usual banter.

the grip on my phone. I sensed her reluctance

a bad time?”

had a man over, I’d kick him out so you can come over,” Ivanna replied, “All right, then. You stay there, and I’ll pick

ending the call, I held my daughter and felt a heavy weight on my chest. How nice would it be if none of this had happened? Then I could treat it all as a nightmare. At least

her still–swollen lips and asked, “Do they

consoled me, saying, “It doesn’t hurt anymore,

+15 BONUS

and wondered how lovely it would be to be

car arrived two hours later, and I went downstairs to meet her. I hid the two keys I had duplicated in my bag to confirm whether they belonged to her place.

schools. That included Sunnydale, which provided education from kindergarten to high school. The school’s quality of education was supposedly

area to Matthew before since I wanted to buy a house here for Ava to

you to live in Amethyst Apartments. I’ve been eyeing this place for a while,” I spoke sincerely,

set your sights on Sunnydale, haven’t you?” Ivanna spoke rapidly. “That’s not an easy feat. When Ava starts school, you can let

froze in place as my heart raced. I wondered if Ivanna was preparing to

then, she reached out to take Ava and noticed the bruise on her

remember seeing that injury on her lips either!”

surprise as if she was trying to strike a nerve with me.

Ava and said coldly, “It was an

my alienation and