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."

I wasn't pressing further, accompanied me to my father's room. Luckily, he had just woken up. When he saw us enter, his eyes lit up, and he seemed to

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

my hand, studying me. "Don't worry about me. How

hearing his words and seeing his anxious expression, I knew he

said gently, "Atlas has already told me. I know

nodded earnestly to my father.

You two have been inseparable since childhood, and we all hoped to see the day you get married and continue the friendship

"Dad, don't worry too

by my side, and my father reached out to him. Atlas offered his hand to my father. My father placed my

and ever." My father's words were simple but meaningful. He feared

Stella is

for a

care of her and our children. That's what Lucille instructed

father's eyes. "If it weren't for that secret, I would never have wanted to live and get humiliated for so