Beyond the Divorce

Atlas took out his phone, pulled up his gallery, and placed the phone in my hands. He started to recount the past.

"Take a look. This is the real Annalise!"

I gazed at the young girl in the phone album. She was beautiful, with lively, sparkling eyes and a radiant smile.

"The night after Aunt Hailey passed away, we huddled in that empty room. I'll never forget the loneliness, helplessness, and fear. It made me anxious."

He glanced at me, his eyes filled with bitterness.

"I was scared, but Aunt Hailey told me I was a man and had to take care of Stella. Once lively and bustling with family, that room ended up with just the two of us. It was eerily silent."

A faint, sorrowful twitch appeared at the corner of Atlas's mouth.

Even after so many years, he still recalled those events with a sense of helplessness.

was cry in my arms. I wanted to as well, but I didn't dare to cry, let alone sleep. Aunt Hailey's departure haunted me. I just wanted to wait until dawn to take you to

Celine arrived, she was there to inspect our house. When she walked in and saw us, she asked her entourage sternly, 'Why are they still here?' Then

you to Grandma's house, but no one listened. I watched as they dragged you into that car. You reached out, calling for

Atlas spoke, his grip on me tightened as his face

leaned into his embrace, and tears rolled

here!" He hugged me tighter. "Chlo, don't be afraid. We won't be

Lively family arrived, but you were already gone without a trace. I never thought that this separation would last for two years. I begged Grandpa to send people to inquire, but there

no memories, and at that moment, I couldn't

time. He had lost both of his parents, and the only

I overheard my

was Rory's daughter. I was overjoyed and secretly went to the

that after my parents' deaths, the Pierce family took over my father's company and wouldn't let go. Grandpa tried several times but failed." Rose had told me before that the

family?" I looked at Atlas and asked. "Isn't the Cross family