Chapter 20


    Chapter 20 An Excellent Opportunity


    I nced at the incessantly ringing phone, unsure how to describe my emotions. The timing was


    impable because she called just as Matthew left. I knew he must’ve called her and reported the


    situation as soon as he left.


    I calmly answered the call, “Yes, Ivanna?”


    real mood.


    “What are you up to? is Ava okay?” Ivanna sounded like she was in a great


    Of course, she would be in a great mood. She must be taking advantage ofst night’s argument


    between.


    Matthew and me.


    “It seems like you’re free today to call me so early in the morning. There was a hint of sarcasm in my


    tone.


    “Well, I’m not a robot. Even I need to recharge and maintain myself!” Ivannaughed. “Let’s go out.”


    “Ava isn’t at school yet, so I’m just ying with her at home,” I replied.


    “Oh? That’s great. Bring her along so I can spoil her a little. Since you weren’t in a good moodst


    time, I


    didn’t dare to talk to her for long.” Ivanna teased me.


    After some thought, I figured the opportunity was too good to pass up. Since she had initiated it, it


    wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t use this chance to meet with her.


    “Sure! I don’t care where we go as long as I can rx and have some quiet time. Can Ie to your


    ce? I’ve never been there because you’ve been hiding it from me. What if something happened to


    you? I won’t be able to find you if I don’t know where you live.” I


    I spoke as if it were our usual banter.


    Ivanna seemed hesitant as I tightened the grip on my phone. I sensed her reluctance and probed, “Is


    this


    a bad time?”


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    “What do you mean? Even if I had a man over, I’d kick him out so you cane over,” Ivanna replied,


    “All right, then. You stay there, and I’ll pick you and Ava upter. I’ll be there soon!”


    After ending the call, I held my daughter and felt a heavy weight on my chest. How nice would it be if


    none of this had happened? Then I could treat it all as a nightmare. At least Ava wouldn’t have gotten


    hurt.


    I looked at her still–swollen lips and asked, “Do they still hurt?”


    Ava shook her head and consoled me, saying, “It doesn’t hurt anymore, and Daddy said he didn’t mean


    it..


    +15 BONUS


    I choked up and wondered how lovely it would be to be as Innocent as my daughter.


    Ivanna’s car arrived two hourster, and I went downstairs to meet her. I hid the two keys I had


    duplicated in my bag to confirm whether they belonged to her ce. However, I was surprised that her


    apartment was in one of the most well–known upscale neighborhoods in Foswood, Amethyst


    Apartments.


    I was familiar with this area as it had the best schools. That included Sunnydale, which provided


    education from kindergarten to high school. The school’s quality of education was supposedly the best


    in the province.


    I had mentioned this area to Matthew before since I wanted to buy a house here for Ava to attend


    Sunnydale Institute. z


    “Ivanna, I didn’t expect you to live in Amethyst Apartments. I’ve been eyeing this ce for a while,” I


    spoke sincerely, forgetting my resentment toward her.


    “You’ve set your sights on Sunnydale, haven’t you?” Ivanna spoke rapidly. “That’s not an easy feat.


    When Ava starts school, you can let her stay with me if you trust me. We’ll go to Sunnydale together.” z


    I froze in ce as my heart raced. I wondered if Ivanna was preparing to snatch my daughter from me.


    Just then, she reached out to take Ava and noticed the bruise on her hips. “Hey, how did this happen? I


    don’t remember seeing that injury on her lips either!”


    Ivanna feigned surprise as if she was trying to strike a nerve with me.


    However, I hugged Ava and said coldly, “It was an ident.”


    Ivanna sensed my alienation and stiffened.


    Previously, I deliberately checked her keys when she opened the door, but she quickly tossed them into


    her bag. Ultimately, I didn’t get a chance to see them clearly.


    After entering Ivanna’s apartment on the twelfth floor, she dropped her bag onto the cab near the


    door and reached for Ava, saying, “Come here. Let Aunty Ivanna show you around, kiddo.”


    The elegantly furnished and gorgeous apartment wasrge, almost too extravagant for one person.


    Fresh


    flowers were on the coffee table, showing a single woman’s sophisticated taste. The ce was


    beautiful


    It seemed Ivanna had been living a pretty luxurious life while I only had the bare necessities. On top of


    that, I was not in a battle of wits with my cheating husband.


    Ava squealed excitedly, calling for me childishly, “Wow, Mommy, Aunt Ivanna’s ce is so pretty!”


    +15 BONUS


    I almost felt bitter at the sound of my daughter’s joyful cries. Soon after, I followed them inside, carefully


    observing every apartment detail for clues.