Beyond the Divorce

I felt like I had been struck by lightning, freezing in place as a chill enveloped me.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Ivanna was too impulsive! At this age, couldn't she think more empathetically? Couldn't she consider what she could do to fight for herself?

I sensed an unprecedented sense of helplessness.

Seeing me standing there like a statue, the medical assistant seemed a bit startled. She looked at me and asked, "Are you okay? Do you feel unwell? Do you need help?"

I collected myself, shook my head numbly, and weakly asked, "How long ago did she leave?"

She seemed a bit perplexed by my question. "Are you talking about Ivanna?"

I nodded.

She responded indifferently, "She left quite a while ago."

I thanked her in a soft voice. She just raised an eyebrow and continued with her work, paying no further attention to me.

As I turned around in a daze, I pondered. She must have gone home by now. At this moment, she must be feeling lonely and helpless, needing care more than ever.

With these thoughts, I ran out of the hospital, quickly got back into the car, and headed straight to Amethyst Apartments.

During the journey, I called Lauren again. She answered right away, "Did you find her?"

"Yeah. She indeed went to the hospital." My tone was somber, tinged with a sense of heartache.

"Ah.... What happened? Did she...?" Lauren couldn't help but ask anxiously.

I just sighed, unable to find words to respond.

Lauren suddenly stomped her foot, saying, "It's all my fault, I... Why did I sleep? I shouldn't have been too relaxed with her. I..."

As she was lamenting and blaming herself, I suddenly heard another voice on the phone, "Don't worry. Don't blame yourself...'

What was going on? Why did that sound like Oliver's voice?

But when I listened more intently, the voice was gone.

I only heard Lauren's regretful voice continuing, "How is she now? She's too impulsive. Sooner or later, she'll regret it. Ah. It's all my fault..."

"Don't blame yourself. Maybe it's

fate. Everything is her own choice

So what can we do? I'm on my way back to Amethyst Apartments now. You can head straight there."

I told her and then stepped on the gas pedal hard, rushing back.

Upon returning to Amethyst Apartments, I stopped the car and ran upstairs. I had never felt that the elevator could be so slow.

On her floor, I burst out of the elevator and pounded on the door with all my strength.

While knocking on the door, I opened my bag and searched for the key to both her houses. I remembered both sets of keys were in my bag, but why couldn't I find them? The more anxious I became, the more I couldn't find them. Just when I was desperate, the door opened.

I was instantly petrified.

Ivanna was pale-faced, wearing a nightgown that exposed her legs and feet. She stared at me helplessly, like a child who had done something wrong.

I felt both angry and hurt. Walking in, I grabbed her. "Why are you still wearing such a short skirt? Can't you..."

"Chlo."

Before I could finish my words, she called out with a soft tone and threw herself into my arms, crying bitterly.

My bag dropped to the ground with a thud. I held her, and my nose tingled. Tears welled up in my eyes. I was unable to describe my feelings at this moment.

I patted her like I was consoling a child. "Don't cry... Don't cry. Go lie down. You don't know how to care for yourself, exposing your skin to the cold air like this. You'll get sick. Quickly lie down, and I'll make you something to eat."

But she clung to me and was even more stubborn than Ava.

I muttered, trying to conceal my overwhelming anger, letting her hold onto me and vent her suppressed emotions. I couldn't coax her, no matter what.

After a long time, she gradually

stopped crying. I continued to soothe her, "Listen, go lie down. Don't catch a cold. This is the time when you're most likely to get sick. If it's gone, it's gone. Take care of yourself. You can have another baby in the future."

She listened to my words and became dumbfounded.

Feeling a bit puzzled, I wondered if I had said the wrong thing, afraid that she might be overly saddened and fall into depression because of my words.

But the next moment, her actions made me even more horrified.