Beyond the Divorce

I scrutinized Grandma Rose beside me, my skepticism clear as I asked, "Did I hear that right? He said he was going to pick up Ivanna, right?" Grandma Rose nodded. "Yes, that's right."

I felt surprised. He was going to pick up Ivanna when Anson was here? What was going on? Had Jared already passed Anson's test?

I couldn't help but gulp nervously, feeling puzzled.

When Arnold saw my perplexed expression, he approached me and asked, "Hey! What's on your mind?"

"Oh, nothing," I replied uncertainly. "I was just wondering, since Jared's picking up Ivanna so openly, could it mean..."

"Don't overthink it. Nothing can stop Jared if he wants to do something." Arnold dismissed my concerns with a glance. That was true. Jared would handle everything properly.

I turned to Arnold, regaining my focus. "Are you heading back to Gerby tomorrow?"

Arnold nodded casually. "Yeah, I'm catching an early morning flight."

"Is it for Byron's trial?" I inquired. Arnold was dealing with that since Atlas wouldn't be around.

He glanced at me and nodded. "That's right. It's next Thursday."

Thursday?" I echoed. That

picked up my phone and called Beatrice. She answered promptly, and I wasted

surprise in her voice. "Are you back,

back in Foswood," I confirmed. I got

paused briefly before

weight of the situation. Whether the trial happened or not, the outcome would be the same. Those three were guilty of heinous crimes, including

reassured her. No matter what, I had to fulfill

wonderful that Beatrice had gotten a second

sounded relieved, but then she said, "He... he's

she meant by "he," of course. After all,

moment, then said, "If you want to see him, I'll

don't want to see him." Beatrice

audacity to

you know before I come over." I comforted her. We didn't need to say much

you, I'm sure I wouldn't have made it. Please come and

be there with