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.

never took anything seriously. She didn’t even go to

your mother for money? Where do you think

Then he nibbled on my earlobe as he approached the bathroom. “Yeah, yeah, it’s all your money. That’s what happens when

I appreciated his words.

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

round in the shower washed away my doubts and grievances. It made

again, which had become a pressing matter 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 Ava to

but the neighborhood had no good ones nearby. Although we had saved

the best location in the fast-developing city so we wouldn’t need to keep

Instead, he patted my shoulder, kissed my forehead, and said, “Okay, I’ll look for a suitable place

response pleased me, and I fell asleep

off at the kindergarten the following day, I received a call from my best friend, Irvanna, saying she wanted to meet at our usual

and

talk about anything, but it was rare for her to call me. After all, she was a busy woman who worked as a talent manager in a media

the corner, typing away on her laptop. The morning sun cast a peaceful glow on her, making her look even