Beyond the Divorce

I was about to argue with him again when Grandma Rose stopped us. "Let's eat."

My mom quickly agreed. "Yeah. Let's talk after breakfast."

Jim promptly started serving the food, easing the tension in the air.

My dad tried to change the topic and said, "I've planted those seeds in a sunny spot, just like the instructions said."

"Were the instructions clear?" I understood that my dad was trying to lighten the mood by bringing this up.

"They're very detailed. It looks like it's a precious plant. I'm looking forward to seeing it grow." He seemed to be in a much better mood now.

Ava immediately joined the conversation. "What did you plant, Grandpa?"

"I don't know yet, but it needs a lot of care to grow well, just like you," My dad teased. "Do you want to wait for it to grow with me?"

"Yeah. I'll watch it grow with you, Grandpa." Ava said eloquently. She could sense that Arnold was different today, and she kept looking at him when she said that.

to Anya while we ate. Anya had made great progress in learning the local language, but she still needed help handling questions that were too complicated. The atmosphere had also been tense, making her a little bewildered. Unexpectedly, Hana was a big help. She could speak

made everything much easier, and Grandma Rose asked many questions about Rory. Everyone was fully focused on

understood Grandma Rose's intention. We all listened to Anya

I saw that it was an unfamiliar number. I hesitated for a moment, then quickly answered as everyone looked at

"Chlo."

Atlas's voice, I was furious. I immediately asked, "Have you arrived? Why

The

news from me Atlas's tone was low, with a hint of apology. "I'll be back soon. Don't be

back myself. I want him to see me because my mom's dead!" I was getting emotional. "Why did you have to deprive me of

time I had gotten angry at

quickly seized the opportunity to say, "I'm going, no matter how dangerous it is. I

you set off, get a new phone and message this number. I'll get

"Great. I'll set off in the

let me talk to

said, "Are you crazy? Do you know how