Beyond the Divorce

That day, Ava told Grace to stop bullying me. I knew Grace wouldn't have forgotten it. Indeed, she paled and gluped.

I continued, “Also, stop saying this house belongs to your family. Do you know where your family would be without me and my company?! I was kind enough not to take away your current house.

“You can still be Ava’s grandmother if you behave. However, I'll shut you off from her if you insist on harassing me.” I looked at her sternly and understood something. I pitied her misfortune but resented her unwillingness to compromise.

Grace stared at me with misty eyes and remained silent for a while. Finally, she cleared her throat and asked, “Then why did you send Ava to Celestis Island? Why do you always seem to send her away whenever I visit?”

I replied, “It has nothing to do with you. Ava and I have other things happening, so you should understand that our lives have nothing to do with your family. Can't we arrange our own lives and schedules? Me sending Ava to Celestis Island was a coincidence.”

Grace retracted her aggressive stance and asked with a hint of uncertainty, “When will she get home?”

“She'll return when she’s happy again. I told you that I'll call you when she gets home.” I glanced at Grace. “Just keep your phone on.”

I don’t have one,” Grace mumbled while avoiding

was puzzled, wondering how she

took it from me.” I sighed and approached the drawer beside the liquor cabinet, finding an old phone I had replaced. I turned it on, deleted my information, and handed it to Grace.

in shock. "You're

filial piety went. “Now, will you stop being so forceful toward me?

arrogant? You should focus on venting your frustrations on Abby instead of me." I couldn't help

her with little. Grace had lost a lot of weight and looked like a different person. With a heavy heart, I said, “You can tell

slap myself after saying that. I wondered why I still bothered with those from the Murphys. However, I would adhere to my words since I had said them. I wouldn't be at odds with an older woman like

her voice trembled, “You'll still let me see Ava? You won't stop me,

said you couldn't see her. Again, I'll tell you when she returns, and you can come and cook for her,” I