Beyond the Divorce

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.

so I can spoil her a

to talk to her for long.” Ivanna teased

opportunity was too good

be fair if I didn’t use this chance to

I come to your place? I’ve never been there because you’ve been hiding it from me. What if something happened to you? I

spoke as if it were our

grip on my phone. I sensed her reluctance and probed, “Is

a bad time?”

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 you and Ava up

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 Ava

still–swollen lips and asked, “Do they still hurt?”

and consoled me, saying, “It doesn’t hurt anymore, and Daddy said he

+15 BONUS

it would be to be as

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. However, I was surprised that her apartment was in one of

with this area as it had the best schools. That included Sunnydale, which provided education from kindergarten

mentioned this area to Matthew before since I wanted to buy

been eyeing this

sights on Sunnydale, haven’t you?” Ivanna spoke rapidly. “That’s not an easy feat. When Ava starts school, you can let her stay with me if you trust me. We’ll go to Sunnydale together.” z

raced. I wondered if Ivanna was preparing to snatch my daughter

noticed the bruise on her hips. “Hey,

that injury on

trying to strike a