edmy
The moment reached my door, I couldn’t hold back my <b>tears </b>anymore, I could see just how much my parents were hurting. Yvonneused to be so close
to them.
She’d spend every winter and summer break at their ce. Now, she wouldn’t even see them. They must be feeling so heartbroken.
<b>I </b>cried quietly for a while, and then came to terms with it. This was just a phase, and sooner orter, we’d get through it.
My parents seemed to know I was hurting as well, so they just stopped mentioning Yvonne in front of me.
I kept going to work asual. By the third day, my parents were getting a bit restless, and with their vacation almost over, I bought them ne tickets and saw them off at the airport mysell
During that time, Jared’s parents treated my parents to dinner once. Not sure what they discussed, but when my parents came back, they told me that they respected my choice. Honestly, that really reassured me and gave me the strength I needed.
“Victoria, if you ever need somewhere to go after the divorce, juste home. <b>You </b>can always find something steady here,” my mom said, squeezing my fingers:
“She’s gotten used to living in the city. She might not fit in back home anymore. It’s up to her,” my dad chimed in.
I nodded to them.” know. I’m not a <b>kid </b>anymore. I’ll be fine.”
Aber seeing my parents off, I headed back to the office. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, Theardughter drifting from the meeting room.
A voice <b>sounded</b>, “Amy, <b>is </b>it really that far away? Is it really <b>dangerous</b>? You actually went exploring in deserted caves? <b>That’s </b><b>so </b>cool! When I grow <b>up</b>, want to <b>be </b>just the <b>you</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
“Really? You’ve climbed snowy mountains? And your biggest dream is to conquer Everest? That’s the tallest one in the world)”
Linstantly recognized <b>Wonne’s </b><b>voice</b>. Taking a deep breath, I walked by the door as if i didn’t care, keeping myposure. Just then, the chatter inside suddenly stopped.
sitting on my desk. Next to it <b>was </b><b>a </b>note, scrawled in Yvonne’s messy
When I walked into my office, I saw a little flower made out of toy <b>blocks </b>sit handwriting: [Mom, I’m sorry. Here’s a flower for you.
I stared at it for a long while. Then, I gently moved it aside so I could get back to work. Emotions were <b>just </b>part of being human, but they could <b>really </b>
mess with you
Back when Yvonne would show <b>a </b>little gratitude and give me something, it would’ve made my file day.
But now, I <b>was </b>forcing myself to shove those feelings down. When i thought about everything I’d done for her, it just left me feeling numb inside.
<b>I </b>couldn’t help but suspect Jared had <b>Yvonne </b>bring me this little present, hoping it’d spark some motherly feelings I barely had left. Gotta <b>admit</b>, Jared
<b>really </b>knew how to pull <b>people’s </b>strings..
But for someone who had already stared death in the face, kindness was a fatal weakness. Keeping my heart hard–that was just how my life worked
<b>now</b>.
My office door was gently pushed <b>open</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>Yvonne cautiously poked her head in. She didn’t say a word, <b>just </b>kept stealing nces at me. I treated her The she was invisible.
Wonne waited for a while, and when I still didn’t call her over, she started to get a little sulky, in the end, she quietly closed the <b>door </b>
Just <b>a </b><b>few </b>minutester, she came back and opened the door again. This time, she wasn’t sneaking nces. <b>She </b>stood there, nervously twisting her fingers, her big <b>eyes full </b>of grieved innocence <b>as </b>she <b>looked </b>at me.
<b>1/2 </b>
“Get out. Don’t bother me while I’m working” I said coldly.
Wenne suddenly burst into tears. Then she threw the door open and ran out.
It wasn’t long before Jared carhe back, leading a bawling Yvonne by the hand, and knocked on my office door again.
AD