Beyond the Divorce

A Business Trip in Operose Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I redialed Matthew’s number, but a mechanical voice informed me that the call couldn’t connect. I squatted in frustration, but the thought of my daughter’s fever struck me. Then I gritted my teeth, forced myself to stand, and returned to the lobby.

I tried calling Ivanna when I arrived, but her phone was off too. I paced around in panic and wondered where those two could’ve gone. At that moment, I felt like my pleas were falling on deaf ears.

Ultimately, I reluctantly called my in–laws. Although it was past one in the morning, and I didn’t want to disturb them, I had no other option. Sure enough, my mother–in–law answered and sounded alarmed, ” Chlo? What’s wrong? It’s so late. Is something wrong?”

I had trouble answering her question but soon apologized and told her about Ava’s high fever and that I had no cash. My in–laws said they would rush to the hospital and quickly hung up. When they arrived, the doctor had already put Ava on an IV drip and diagnosed her with acute pneumonia.

I felt quilt

that my in–laws had to rush to the hospital in the middle of the night. “Why’d you come? You could’ve told Melanie to bring me the money since it’s so late.”

“She said she went to the Operose with her brother for business. She wasn’t home,” my mother–in–law explained, then hurried to Ava’s bedside. “How did it get this severe? What’s her temperature?”

“It’s already 39.5 degrees. Ava has acute pneumonia. Can you watch over her while I pay the bill?” I asked my in–laws before rushing to the counter, cursing Melanie inwardly.

She was just a burden at this point. What business could she possibly have with her brother? The least. she could do was not cause any trouble.

Once I settled the bill, I told my in–laws to go home. However, my mother–in–law insisted on making us some food before leaving. Afterward, I watched my daughter’s face gradually regain its color. I immediately felt a massive weight lifting from my chest.

Still, all the money in the account had disappeared, and I felt uneasy. Various possibilities raced through my mind, making me increasingly conflicted.

Thankfully, Ivanna returned my call at five in the morning when she checked her phone. “Chlo, what’s going on? Why’d you call me in the middle of the night? My phone died last night because I forgot to charge it!”

“Ava developed a high fever and has pneumonia. I had to take her to the hospital so late at night, and I didn’t have any money,” I explained as tears rolled down my cheeks.

“Damn it. Which hospital are you at? Wait for me there!” Ivalla replied urgently.

“Klinein Hospital.” I sniffed.

Ivanna found us in less than half an hour. When she entered the ward, she felt Ava’s forehead, saying, “is

she getting better?”

I nodded. “The fever’s going down.”

“Then why are you crying?!” Ivanna exclaimed, looking at me skeptically.

I wiped my tears and told Ivanna about the missing money. She narrowed her eyes and looked at me in

disbelief as I stated my suspicions. Once I finished explaining the situation, she cursed through gritted

teeth, “Damn it, We’re a step behind that asshole.” 1

felt helpless…

I Ivanna’s confirmation. I covered my face and suppressed my cries, fearing waking Ava

or scaring her. She was still so young, and I didn’t want her to know our family was in chaos.

Ivanna held my trembling shoulders and squeezed them, attempting to give me strength.

After a while, I looked up with clenched fists and stared at Ivanna with bloodshot eyes. Then I growled, “I

must confront him and find out what he’s up to! I had nearly a decade’s savings, our safety net for Ava. I’ll

get to the bottom of it.” 1

Ivanna shook her head. “Now isn’t the right time.”

“But I can’t just sit back and watch him wreak havoc! That’s mine and Ava’s money. You know that,

Ivanna. When we saved that money and put it on his card, he gave the card to me to make me feel secure.

“He even set up WhatsApp notifications for the card, but the money is gone. When did it disappear? I

didn’t receive any notifications. What does that mean?”

Ivanna was speechless. Ultimately, she comforted me and told me not to be hasty. Just then, my phone

buzzed, and I grabbed it and saw that it was Matthew calling.

I was so angry that I was about to answer, but Ivanna was quicker and grabbed the phone from me.

“Give it back!” I shouted in anger.

Instead of returning my phone, Ivanna stared at me and asked solemnly, “Chlo, do you want to get that money back?”