Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom

At the supermarket, we bought a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

I quietly told Lauren, "I asked Atlas to find Jared."

Relieved, Lauren nodded and said, "He's the only one who can give her the answers she wants. It doesn't matter how hard we try. It will all be in vain if Jared doesn't come back. We won't be able to overcome this otherwise. Who knows? If she has another mood swing, she might create more trouble."

I nodded in agreement and whispered, "Don't tell her about this. Don't give her any hope. It would be best if we could find Jared, but we shouldn't disappoint her if we can't. If Jared finds out about this and rushes back, it'll be a pleasant surprise for her."

Lauren solemnly agreed.

As we talked, we saw Ivanna waving at us. She pointed at a large durian and said, "Let's buy one of these to take home. I really want it."

Lauren frowned and asked, "Are you sure you want to buy that? Aren't you afraid it'll make the room smell?"

"Let's buy it. It tastes great, and we can just open the windows to let the smell out." Ivanna had a greedy look on her face.

Lauren just rolled her eyes and said, "Buy it, then. I hope your baby won't come out smelling like durian though."

The three of us burst into laughter.

At that moment, someone bumped into me, making me stagger.

When I turned around, I met eyes with the woman who had bumped into me. She smiled faintly and walked away without apologizing.

But that smile of hers was strange.

Her gaze was cold and mocking, and had more than a touch of ill intent.

I stood there, stunned, as I watched her walk swiftly away.

Lauren looked at me while staring at the departing figure and asked, "Who was that? Do you know her?"

I shook my

ead, looking at the

gradually disappearing figure. Shee did seem vaguely familiar. "Why do I

Nike I've seen her befo Sheet.

Ivanna looked at the fleeting figure too, and said, "Why does that person look so much like Harmony?"

I exclaimed, "Exactly!"

Lauren said, "Didn't you see her face?"

I nodded in surprise and said, "I did The way she looked at me was strange, and her smile was sinister, but she didn't look anything like Harmony."

Ivanna speculated, "Could she have had plastic surgery?"

Her words shocked both me and Lauren.

As we waited in line to pay after we finished shopping, I deliberately kept an eye out for Harmony, but didn't see her anywhere.

When we returned to Ivanna's house, Atlas's people had already delivered two big bags of fresh seafood.

We thought that Atlas might join us for dinner, but he called to say he had business to attend to and wouldn't be coming back.

When Ivanna saw what time it was, she suggested I go pick Ava up and bring her here for dinner.

I had no choice but to head to the kindergarten to get Ava and Jenny. Then I told my mom we would be back later for dinner.

When the kids arrived, the house immediately became more lively.

My daughter's chatter kept Ivanna laughing uproariously, while Lauren, who was busy in the kitchen,

complained, "Can you believe this

troublemaker?"

I quickly joined Lauren in the kitchen and helped her cook while we continued our banter.

Despite the chaos, we were both genuinely happy. Ivanna still had her baby, and we were all having a good time.