Beyond the Divorce

"I have a plan." Atlas asserted confidently.

"What

plan?" Arnold asked.

"I'll tell you tonight."

"Okay." Arnold nodded.

I felt uneasy. I put down the spoon in my hand and looked at Atlas. "Atlas, aren't you getting too comfortable at deceiving me? Has it become a routine for you now?"

Atlas's smile was charming as he sat down behind me. "No way, I can't keep it from you this time. You need to know our entire plan to work with us. But with so many people around in the hospital, we need to be careful."

His reasoning seemed sound, and after a moment of hesitation, I glanced at the door and nodded. "Alright then. But remember what you said."

After finishing my meal, I pushed the small table away. "I need to go see my dad."

woken up. When he saw us enter, his eyes lit up, and he seemed to regain some spirit. "Stella, you're

took a cotton swab, dampened it, and wiped his lips. "Dad... are you feeling uncomfortable

his head quickly and grabbed my hand, studying me. "Don't worry about me. How about you? Are you feeling

his anxious expression, I knew he must have found out about my

gently, "Atlas has already told me. I know

Atlas and nodded earnestly

wish of Atlas's parents. You two have been inseparable since childhood, and we all hoped to see the day you get married and continue the

I quickly grasped his hand. "Dad, don't worry too

reached out to him. Atlas offered his hand to my father. My father placed my hand in Atlas's palm, and Atlas

her forever and ever." My father's words were simple but meaningful.

is my

for a moment."

promise. I'll take care of her and our children. That's what Lucille instructed me before she

I would never have wanted to live and get humiliated for so many years. I would have gone to