Beyond the Divorce

When she heard my question, Hana casually mentioned a city's name. Before I could clearly hear which city it was, she smoothly changed the topic.

"I'll review the drawings again before my vacation and get everything ready in advance, Chloe. That's just how design work is. You can't let your mind idle even when you're away," Hana told me. "I might be on vacation, but my brain won't be able to stop working."

I chuckled. "I know you're dedicated. You can take a longer break this time. I'll give you a month off."Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

"Really?" Hana seemed genuinely surprised.

"Yes, really. Things will get busy afterward. Take this time to rest well and prepare for what's to come," I said, packing up my things.

Just then, Ivanna called. Hana quickly gestured toward the door, picked up her belongings, and left my office.

I answered. "You're awake?"

"Yeah. I'm thinking about what to eat." Ivanna sounded relaxed, as if nothing had happened.

"You've reconciled with Jared, and you don't even have a thank you for me?" I asked without reservation.

She chuckled. "I just didn't get the chance to say it yet."

"Tsk. Looks like you're happy," I said disapprovingly. "They say that becoming pregnant messes with your head. Looks like you're showing signs of that already."

"How?" She asked earnestly.

I suppressed a laugh and said, "Your intelligence has dropped."

"Shut up. You're the dumb one." She laughed and seemed to be in a good mood.

"Alright, what's the matter?"

"Why can't we just talk?" she asked, trying to find something to talk about.

"I don't have the time to entertain you all day. Now that you've returned to your senses, can you let me focus on more important things?" I retorted. Dealing with her antics the past few days had given me a headache.

"Let's have dinner together tonight. Jared wants to thank you girls personally."

"I have no time for that." I said firmly.

She immediately exclaimed, "Come on. Can't we stop fighting? I'm finally in a better mood. Don't make things worse, okay?"

I rubbed my temples. "Seriously? Your bad mood was because of me?"

She laughed heartily again and said, "You're such a drama queen."

"I do have something to do. I wanted to take you with me, but I didn't want to because you seemed so happy right now," I explained to her.

"What's going on?" she asked curiously.

"It's Theo. He's found some

information on Beatrice and suggested meeting tonight to discuss it with a few classmates," I said with a straight face. "I can't stand them up."

"Well, what time will you be done? You can come over afterward," Ivanna persisted.

"I'm not sure when it'll end. You guys

go ahead and eat," I said. "I'll try my best. Things have been busy, and we've been getting visitors from

Solaris these days. We're family net

you don't have to fuss over anything. As long as you're fine, it's all good. Give us some freedom. Do we need to revolve our whole lives around you?"

Ivanna laughed. It was clear she was in a better mood. "True. I'm in a special situation now."

"Don't be reckless. Tell that to Jared," I said impatiently.

She mischievously whispered, "Actually, I just wanted you two to call him out."

"I knew you weren't so kind. Fix your own problems. Stop trying to involve the two of us."

At that moment, Carol appeared at the doorway of my office, pointing at her wrist. She was reminding me that it was time.

Lauren was there too. I quickly told

Ivanna, "have to go now. You guys

go

Sahead. I'll join you later if I can. I'll

stay at Amethyst Apartments

tonight." .

After saying that, I hung up the phone.

Lauren walked into my office. "Do you have plans tonight?"

"Yeah." I replied.

"What about dinner with Jared? Can't you make it?"

"No, you go. I can't postpone my meeting." I reminded Lauren, "You need to give Jared a push."

"Can I say that? They're all lovey-dovey already. If I say any more, won't I be meddling in their business?"