Beyond the Divorce

I pushed the door open and walked in, spotting him slouched on the couch in the room, looking dispirited.

Quietly, I approached him. "Dad."

He lifted his head, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Chloe..."

Seeing him like this tugged at my heartstrings. I understood the pain my adoptive parents had carried and the hardships they had gone through. I believed in their love for me.

My nose tingled. I went over and bent down to him. "Don't be like this, Dad. You and Mom are my parents. If you hadn't risked your lives to bring me out, I wouldn't be here today. Without you, I might not have found Atlas. I might not even be alive." He grasped my hand and said, "Chloe, bringing you out into this world was the best decision I ever made."

"I know how much you both love me. Throughout these twenty years, you've showered me with warmth and care, giving me a home," I said sincerely.

a form of happiness for me," I reassured

of me with all your heart and raised me well. I didn't manage to spend much time with my biological parents, and I don't even remember their faces. "In reality, you are my true parents. I cherish every moment with you. Let's forget all this, okay? It doesn't matter

could finish, my dad hugged me, sobbing loudly. "I'm sorry, Chloe. It's my

embrace, remembering how warm it always

was all my idea. I was afraid of losing you. I already lost a daughter. I can't lose another one! We were selfish for bringing

in this life. I've wronged

life, where she can live in comfort. She's been living in fear and running

that moment, I fully

find your family and leave us. Our affection for you has grown since the day we took you away, making it harder to let go. We were afraid you'd leave us one day, and now that day has come.

saw him break down in front of me for the first time. He looked like a helpless

fearing that