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.

past memories is a form of happiness

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 whether my biological father returns

hugged me, sobbing loudly. "I'm sorry, Chloe. It's

into his embrace, remembering how

on his words. "This 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 you out, since

I've

to your mom. I haven't given her a great life, where she can live in comfort. She's been living in fear and running away with me all

I

you would 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

and I saw him break down in front of me for the first time. He looked like a helpless child as he let go of his dignity as a

fearing that if he let