Beyond the Divorce

Although I had just heard Sandy's account of the mansion's history, I didn't stop him. I wanted to hear his perspective on the story.

"After my great-grandpa's business flourished, he built our family's home, and this place was abandoned. After grandma passed away, this place was transferred to someone else for a time due to financial reasons.

"Unfortunately, the buyers later fell on hard times and couldn't sell it. The mansion on the left side of this property also belonged to grandma. It was abandoned for over a decade. After stabilizing the situation, I bought it back. However, the exterior still remained in its original style.

I looked around, seeing a different scenery through the rain.

"After we eat, we'll go to the family home. It's the rainy season in Nocturnia at this time of year. You used to hate this weather when you were young."

I still disliked rainy days.

"Is the family home far from here?" I asked Atlas.

"Not really. It's on the other side of the hill," Atlas replied.

After finishing our meal, I went upstairs to change into the outfit I had prepared for this occasion.

umbrella over us and embraced me as we walked out. Sandy watched us get into

was feeling some complex

gently held my hand, offering me an invisible source

here, don't worry,"

"Okay," I replied.

at a mansion halfway up the hill. It was quite high up and offered a view of a

me as I got out of the car. He led me to the tightly closed gate

the door to open, Atlas lowered his gaze to look

what he was

now that I was by his side. I imagined that he must have felt lonely every

came out, respectfully

held my hand

but steal a glance at the old

servant. Atlas didn't introduce me to him, so it was clear that he

we walked into the courtyard, I was slightly surprised. The mansion was built in the Etrian-style, which was a