Beyond the Divorce

Chapter 416 Totally Different

Ava’s questions surprised me, and I responded vaguely before quickly getting up. “Ava, Mommy doesn’t

have time to take you today. You can take a walk to the kindergarten with grandma, okay?”

“Mommy, when will you get home? When are we going to the island?” Ava slid off her chair and approached me excitedly.

I knew I couldn’t make promises, or she’d question me endlessly. I almost slapped myself for bringing it up. Even if we were going, I should’ve kept it a surprise. But now, I couldn’t fulfill my promise. I had to

make it happen no matter what, or I would let my family down.

I looked at her excited expression and thought before saying, “We’ll go when I return from Solaris, okay?”

I thought taking my parents on vacation would be perfect since Matthew derailed our plans last time. Afterward, I put my small suitcase in the trunk and said goodbye to Ava before leaving for work.

at the neighborhood entrance. The woman appeared much

I last saw her. She had graying hair and a worn–out

anxiously.

was surprised to see the woman. Although we were once familiar, Grace had become a stranger now.

waiting for Ava. Her desperation was evident from how she kept glancing inside

car passing as she craned her neck to look inside. I considered ignoring her, but

to do it. After all, she wouldn’t recognize my new

to see Ava, so

telling her not to come out. However, I understood the longing one

for one’s family. Grace was.

couldn’t stop her from seeing

forever.

I opened the door and exited my car to approach

1. me. I realized she looked so wom that I barely recognized her. She didn’t look like the plump and well-

I used to know.

the past. After all, she had cared for me