I was just about to ask another question when Atlas's hand tightened, clearly signaling me to stop.
Then, I heard Ava say, "Grandpa, I brought my mommy and daddy to watch you planting trees. Grandma said to hurry and finish up so we can have dinner soon."
I quickly composed myself and looked over. I saw my dad wearing a straw hat with a towel around his neck. His face was covered in sweat, and his complexion had become considerably darker.
But he looked much healthier, considering he used to be a pale, scholarly man.
Now, he looked like a farmer toiling in the fields.
"Why are you so tan, Dad?" I pointed at my dad's face and laughed.
He was delighted to see me and Atlas. He pointed to the woods behind him with a sense of accomplishment and said, "Look at what we’ve done! There’s no way we can avoid getting sunburned while doing all this, can we?”
Then he pointed to all the differently shaped plants in the distance. "Those are our creations. Not bad, right?"
Atlas looked over admiringly. "I saw them on the way here. They’re very impressive, and the vegetables in the garden are growing very well too. You're becoming quite professional at this, sir."
My dad grinned happily at this recognition from Atlas. "Come on, I'll take you to the orchard. All kinds of fruits are in season right now. Ava has never picked any fruit before, so she can give it a try."
"We’ve never picked fruit either, Dad. I have no idea what the orchard looks like."
When Atlas heard me say that, he quickly pulled me over and said to my dad, "Let's go, sir. You’ve made Chloe really eager to try plucking some fruit.”
The two little girls were even more excited. They started screaming in excitement, their voices echoing far away.
The uneasy feeling in my heart instantly dissipated.
As my dad led us to the orchard, he told Atlas about their achievements.
He knew I was joking and smiled. "We'll definitely go back, but it has to be when we have time. I want to go back with your mom to look around."
I patiently reiterated to him, "Just sell the house already, Dad. We’re staying here for good. You've already gotten used to life here, and I can't go back there. My whole life and family are all here. Why would you want me to be distracted?"
I almost spilled the beans, but no matter how I explained, they always found reasons to evade me.
"The climate in our small town doesn't suit you, and look at the year you've spent here. Have you had any health issues? So why do you still want to keep that house?
"I've told mom this too. If you don’t want to part with your books, we can arrange for someone to pack them and send them here. This place is huge. We can set up your study and make a laboratory for you without any issues."
After saying that, I looked at my father. But in that instant, I suddenly noticed his expression stiffen.
Something felt strange to me.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom
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This story would be interesting if there weren't so many garbled paragraphs. Half sentences and missed paragraphs. It's too much, give us a proper story. I'm done reading...
Atlas literally took Chloe away from Ryan Ryan needs to go back and reinforce to be able to be head-on Caz that's the only place he's lacking...