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.

I saw someone standing at the neighborhood entrance. The woman appeared much skinnier

last saw her. She had graying hair and a worn–out expression as she looked toward the gate

anxiously.

were once familiar, Grace had become a stranger now.

in the morning, anxiously scanning the area. I knew she was waiting for Ava. Her desperation was evident from how she

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

all,

near the gate and stayed in my car to consider the situation, I knew Grace must be longing to

not to come out. However, I understood the longing

one’s family. Grace

I couldn’t stop her

forever.

opened the door and exited my car to approach her.

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

used

all, she had cared for