Beyond the Divorce

After listening to my mom, my dad sighed deeply. "I gradually started depending on your mom. But when it rains, it pours. We only stayed in that house for a month." "Why?" I asked.

"Your mom didn't have time to work to support us while taking care of me. Plus, she had spent all her money while I was in the hospital, so the landlord kicked us out.

"That was the cruel reality. Your mother and I sat side by side with our luggage on the streets of Nocturnia that evening. At that moment, I vowed to myself then and there that I would become wealthy, well-known, and provide Moira with a secure home so she wouldn't regret saving me."

My hand subconsciously tightened around Atlas's hand, imagining the embarrassment they must have felt.

Atlas gripped my hand solidly to show that he recognized how I was feeling.

"Where did you go then?" I asked weakly.

I could guess how easy it would be to go astray in such a situation.

My dad shook his head, looking at me and Atlas. "When someone hits rock bottom, they'll cling to anything they can as if it were a lifeline. We were the same. We were homeless, and although we were discouraged, we also clung together more tightly. "Fortunately, one of my classmates helped us out and let us stay in his house. He was our lifesaver!"

classmate's uncle.

that?" I

step, luring me in. He asked his uncle if any projects could earn us some extra money, like providing us with technology or formula for cosmetics while they handled

he set was tailor-made for you,"

expression. "I didn't

who led you astray?" I

bet

to research a formula for cosmetics, saying that the sales of this

help him come up with the formula, he would pay me a commission. The amount he mentioned was astronomical for

first

pot of gold

was terrifyingly high and I got it. It was the most money I had ever seen at the time.

bitter laugh that made