Beyond the Divorce

"That's good. Out of sight, out of mind," my mom grumbled.

"Did you receive any mail for the house over there?" I intentionally changed the subject.

"Mike called last night and told us not to worry. He said there have been quite a few people interested in the house lately. It might be sold soon. Anyway, we've set the price high, so if it sells, great. If not, it can wait. You'll always have a place to stay if you go back."

I chuckled. "You're always worried about not having a place to stay when you already have houses everywhere. Last night, Atlas even mentioned investing here in Gerby. He plans to buy a house for us to stay in when we come for inspections. He also said you guys can travel around and stay in different places! Why are you still worried about having nowhere to stay?"

"Did he really invest in Gerby? Is that place even worthy?" My mom asked.

I laughed. Any place was worth investing in. Projects done by Atlas were bound to be prosperous. He tackled things others couldn't.

Before I could answer, Finn called my name, so I quickly said goodbye to my mom. I was sure Beatrice had awakened.

When I rushed back, indeed, she was awake.

I grabbed her hand. "Beatrice, you're up!"

What pleasantly surprised me this time was that Beatrice's eyes showed signs of vitality. Though she stared at me straight-faced, her eyes were no longer vacant.

She held my hand, feeling secure. "Chlo!"

However, her voice sounded strange, notably hoarse, as if her throat was damaged.

"Your throat?" I asked in astonishment.

With a stiff expression, she replied, "Damaged. Poisoned."

"Poisoned?" I exclaimed, "Did Hazelyn do this?"

"B-B-Byron." She struggled to utter Byron's name.

My grip tightened, and my other hand gently touched her face. My nose tingled, and I lowered my gaze. It was only at this moment that I noticed her hand in mine. She was thin to the point where only bones remained, and two fingers were already deformed.

I lifted her hand, eyes wide and speechless, staring at her hand. Quickly, I reached for the otherone, finding it in the same condition

These hands, how familiar they used to be. We held hands countless times... But now, this pair of hands resembles chicken claws.

I couldn't speak anymore. I pressed her hands against my face, tears streaming down uncontrollably. I couldn't manage my emotions.

She just stared at my expression, quietly, motionless.

After a while, she finally said, "... It doesn't hurt anymore."

With just that sentence, I completely broke down. I threw myself onto her frail body. How much suffering had this body endured?

Finn turned away and left. I knew he, too, couldn't control his emotions.

Beatrice spoke again after a long time, "Chlo... you're the best."

I lifted my tear-stained face, but she seemed to have cried all her tears, remaining quiet and serene.

"Beatrice, it's all my fault. Not

staying in touch with you all these years was my mistake. If I had kept an eye on you, you wouldn't have suffered so much. At the very least, I could have given you advice I said, looking at her pale face.

She shook her head repeatedly. "...There's no use. All dead. She... They harmed them. They've all been killed."

"Hazelyn has been arrested. She can't escape anymore," I happily informed her.

However,

she continued to shake

her head, "She... is not important. It's Jocelyn and Byron who harmed me... Grandpa, Grandma, my mom. They are all dead. The Keller family are alt dead. Byron killed them.

I looked at Beatrice. She wasn't crazy. She was clear-minded.

"I want revenge..." She spoke her innermost thoughts, word by word.

I nodded vigorously. "I'll help you. We've already found many clues that can incriminate Byron."

Just then, Finn walked in, whispering to me, "Byron is causing a scene outside, demanding to see his daughter."

With just that sentence, Beatrice suddenly screamed, "Tell him to get lost!"NôvelDrama.Org © content.