Beyond the Divorce

Beatrice accepted the glass, tears welling in her eyes. She looked up at me, her voice trembling slightly. "Yes, I still have family," she whispered, nodding rapidly. After finishing the milk, she wiped her face with a shaky hand. "I'll go wash up and be right down."

Beatrice placed the cup on the table and stood up unsteadily. She walked toward her room, radiating a deep sense of loneliness.

I followed her and caught a glimpse of Finn approaching from the other end of the hallway. Together, the three of us entered Beatrice's room.

She was curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. Dark circles rimmed her eyes, a testament to the emotional turmoil she must have endured.

Ivanna exchanged a knowing look with me. We both understood that Beatrice needed this rest. "Let her sleep," I murmured. "She needs a good night's rest." Finn gently lifted Beatrice and carried her to bed, adjusting the thermostat before quietly leaving the room.

Once he left, Ivanna and I followed suit, leaving Beatrice to the solace of sleep.

Outside the room, Ivanna finally spoke, her voice laced with concern. "You gave her..."

"Yes," I confirmed softly. "I slipped a sleeping pill into her milk. She needs a reprieve from the pain. Losing a father, even one like hers, is incredibly difficult." Everyone was waiting anxiously downstairs. Their worried faces reflected the gravity of the situation.

smile. "We should let Beatrice sleep for a while. She hasn't

at the cost of losing her father, a man she had been forced to confront and condemn. They knew the emotional toll this must have taken on her,

up around seven in the evening, disoriented from her long

did I sleep for so long?" she asked groggily,

she quickly freshened up and changed into a light purple dress, the color symbolizing a fresh start. When she descended the stairs, she had a genuine smile on her face. It wasn't a forced gesture,

gathered everyone in the hall, requesting the dining table be moved to accommodate the larger group. Laughter and conversation filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Looking around the room, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "It's been

little overwhelming

with all of you in my own home." She

my heart, thank you all

swn over

and

thanks, it's Chloe. If she hadn't insisted

the real credit goes to Theo. He almost got himself thrown in jail by the

back of his head sheepishly. "Maybe I was a little reckless. I went right to