Beyond the Divorce

I quickly said, "Please come in."

Then I said into the phone, "Mom, I'll call you back later."

"Okay." My mom hung up.

The door opened, and Sandy hurried in. "Mrs. Stella."

When I saw her anxious expression, I sat up quickly. "Sandy."

"Abbas is here to pick you up. Mr. David wants to see you." Sandy looked at me nervously.

"Oh," I replied. I got up from the bed and casually asked, "Where's Atlas?"

"He and Dylan have already left. Abbas said Mr. David wants to see you alone. He didn't let me call Mr. Atlas," Sandy hurriedly explained. "Mrs. Stella, you..." "Don't worry, I'll go see him," I said. I got dressed and tidied myself up to appear presentable before heading downstairs.

Atlas's

me. "I'm here to pick you up, Mrs. Stella. Mr.

but his tone had

faintly and calmly

"Let me call Atlas first,

see you alone, Mrs. Stella," he emphasized, then respectfully gestured for me to follow. "Please

he didn't give me time

at him.

calm, I was actually nervous. When I met Grandpa the day before yesterday, he had completely ignored me. Now, he suddenly wanted

and somewhat resistant. What gave him the right to treat me this

the Pierce family. That was enough to boost my confidence. As Atlas's wife,

mansion, the stop at the front entrance but drove directly to

and I followed suit. We stood at the entrance, and he went in to report before returning to escort me inside. Grandpa was in the

at me, then gestured