Beyond the Divorce

Chapter 2 A Substantial Amount of Information

I was about to pick up the phone to see who the sender was when Matthew hurried into the room and took the phone. He glanced at it hastily, then looked back at me.

“It’s Mel!”

“What’s the matter? Are you afraid that I’ll find something?” I looked at him suspiciously and felt uneasy as if something was wrong.

The message had only four words. “Did she find out?”

It was enough for me because it implied the other person feared I’d find out about something. The message also showed a hint of ambiguity, so I scrutinized Matthew. My gut feeling surged as my premonition grew heavier.

Matthew chuckled casually and threw the phone back on the bedside table. Then he pulled me into his arms and kissed my lips, saying, “You’re overthinking! It’s not about you, but my sister, Mel. She’s using me as a cover to scam Mom for money.”

Mel was Matthew’s younger sister, Melanie Murphy. She had been weak and sickly since childhood, so her family always pampered and spoiled her. She also behaved like a rich brat.

She didn’t even go to school

to scam your mother for money? Where

arms. Then he nibbled on my earlobe as he approached the bathroom. “Yeah,

I appreciated his words.

his family because I believed a harmonious family led to success in all endeavors. I also believed in treating others with

and grievances. It made me happy and content as I lay in

for me. We had lived in this small 500-square-foot apartment since we got married. The size didn’t bother me, but I didn’t want

but the neighborhood had no good ones nearby. Although we had saved money for a new house over the years, Matthew always

wanted to find the best location in the fast-developing

he didn’t argue when I brought it up again. Instead, he patted my shoulder, kissed my forehead, and said, “Okay, I’ll look for a suitable place for you to see,

I fell asleep

a call from my best friend, Irvanna, saying she wanted to meet at our

responded and

close, just like sisters. We could talk about anything, but it was rare for her to

away on her laptop. The morning sun cast a peaceful