Beyond the Divorce

This must be David's bedroom. A wooden board divided the interior.

In front of the board, there was a set of redwood tables and chairs, with three seats on each side.

David, who was wearing a white suit, was sitting on the main redwood armchair.

As we approached him, I could see that although he was thin, he didn't seem frail, which contradicted the news we had heard on the phone, that he had been gravely ill.

Atlas's expression was cold, indicating that he had anticipated this.

However, I felt unsettled. They had claimed he was critically ill, but everything seemed fine. What was the point of that deception? Why was Celine so eager for us to return? What was her motive? Thankfully, Atlas remained composed, indicating he had anticipated this.

But that woman had said things weren't looking good when he called her. I had clearly heard her, and I knew she wasn't our nanny.

David was the first to speak, setting down his teacup and looking at us as we approached.

"If it weren't for the 'critical illness' ruse, I wouldn't have had the chance to see you." His tone was calm, but it sounded like he was reproaching us.

His words confirmed that he wasn't really ill.

knew about this,

me lose any trace of respect I had for him

or Celine who wanted to see

if you were really critically ill." Atlas's tone was severe.

Atlas didn't say

gaze shifted from Atlas to me, and there was a dim and unclear light in his eyes as he stared for a few seconds before softly saying, "Please, take a seat." Atlas

examined David as I sat down. Despite his age and frail appearance, I could still see traces of his

been remarkable when he was younger. All the men of the Pierce family were handsome, and even this old man, who was nearly 90

sharp, showing vitality and spirit, indicating that he

very indifferent, and tinged with a hint of

reined in the awe I had

married?" David

"Yes," Atlas answered firmly.

me as your grandpa?" David

gaze squarely, asking the

snorted. "You haven't set foot in this place for