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.

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

to her for long.” Ivanna

thought, I figured the opportunity was too good to pass up. Since she had initiated it, it

be fair if I didn’t use this

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

spoke as if it were our usual banter.

I tightened the grip on my phone. I sensed her reluctance and probed,

a bad time?”

come over,” Ivanna replied, “All right, then.

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

looked at her still–swollen lips and asked,

saying, “It doesn’t hurt anymore,

+15 BONUS

it would be to

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

which provided education from kindergarten to high school. The school’s quality of education was supposedly the

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

this place for a while,”

set your 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.

my heart raced. I wondered if Ivanna was

to take Ava and noticed the bruise on her

seeing that injury on her lips

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