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.

seriously. She didn’t

your mother for money? Where do you think her

Then he nibbled on my earlobe as he approached the bathroom. “Yeah, yeah, it’s all your money. That’s what happens when I marry an amazing and understanding woman like

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

doubts and grievances. It made me happy and content as I lay in Matthew’s

buying a house in a good school district 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 have a

to start school, but the neighborhood had no good ones nearby. Although we had saved money for a new

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

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, and then you can

asleep sweetly, daydreaming

dropping Ava off at the kindergarten the following day, I received a call from my best friend, Irvanna, saying she

immediately responded and took

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

our favorite dessert shop, I saw her sitting in the corner, typing away on her laptop. The morning sun