The Voice on the Phone


    I paused before snapping back to reality and realized she was right. I couldn’t lose everything without a


    fight or reiming what was rightfully mine. Even if I fought and lost, I wouldn’t regret it. At that point,


    my phone had stopped ringing.


    I stared into Ivanna’s calm eyes and gradually regained myposure. My thoughts began to clear,


    and I wiped my face, saying, “I get it now! I’m grateful to have a clear–headed person like you by my


    side. You constantly remind me of my priorities.”


    When the phone rang again, I had already sorted my emotions. Ivanna passed me the phone and


    nodded. “You’ve got this


    I took a deep breath and swiped the screen to answer the call, “Hey, honey. It’s about time you called. I


    need to ask you, where’s the money in our ount? Ava had pneumonia, and I had to rush her to the


    hospital in the middle of the night.


    “Nothing was left when I tried to withdraw money from the card. What’s going on?”


    Ivanna smacked her forehead when she heard my words. However, I knew Matthew well and phrased


    it to fit my personality, especially since he would be on guard if I didn’t bring it up.


    “Hi, honey. I used the money, but don’t worry. I’ll exin when I get home,” sure enough, Matthew


    “She’s still on the IV, and her fever was 39.5 degrees. It’s quite serious. When are youing back?


    Can’t


    you hurry?” I pretended to sound anxious, “I’m scared and had to wake your parents in the middle of


    the


    night.


    “Can’t you tell me when you’re using the money? Don’t you know we might have emergencies like


    these


    when you’re not around?”


    Such conversations were mundanest time, but maintaining this calm tone took so much effort n


    couldn’t help butugh at myself, I realized I also had a knack for acting.


    “I know. I’ll be back as soon as possible. I’ll try to finish my work in the morning ande home,”


    Matthew tried to reassure me, “Take care of our daughter and make sure you rest too. You’ve been


    through a lot, honey.”


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    I forced a bittersweet smile at hisfort and advice.


    “Okay, then, I’m heading out for work!”


    now. I


    As I was about to hang up, I heard a coquettish voice in the background. I felt all my strength draining


    the


    carried my sick daughter to the hospital?


    I dared not continue those thoughts as I plopped on the hospital bed with the phone falling to the


    ground.


    Ivanna was rmed at my reaction and squatted before me. She held my hand and asked with


    concern,”


    Chlo, what’s wrong? Hm?”


    I looked at Ivanna in a daze as that coquettish voice echoed in my ears. Ivanna shook my arm. “Can


    you


    speak? What did he say?”


    I said sobbingly, “Ivanna, find me awyer.”


    She stood up, hugged me, and patted my back, “Okay! Don’t cry!”


    I met Mr. Brown two dayster. He was thewyer Ivanna had found for me. I exined the situation in


    detail, and he told me that my description had no value yet. He said they were spections without


    substantial evidence, sliming my chances of winning. 1


    “So, what can I do to maximize my chances? After all, I still have a four–year–old child,” I asked


    urgently,”


    Besides, I was the one who started thatpany. I must defend my rights.”


    After some thought, Mr. Brown advised, “For now, the best you can do is collect solid evidence. Based


    on your described situation, your husband isn’t explicitly aware that you’ve caught on to his affair.


    “So, maintaining this state makes it easier to gather information. However, it’s also challenging to


    gather


    evidence.”


    I chuckled and said bitterly, “So I must continue enduring this?” 1


    He nodded, giving me a clear answer, “Yes.”


    When I left Mr. Brown’s office, I felt drained, as I had just discovered I didn’t have the upper hand.


    Although Matthew cheated, moved assets, and enjoyed mypany’s sess, I was disadvantaged.


    I wondered why the world was so unfair as I sat by a river. I gazed at the flowing water, genuinely not


    knowing what to do next. I only regained my senses when Ava asked, “Mom, where’d you go? Did you


    get


    lost?


    I grinned when I heard those words. My daughter was right that I was indeed lost. I called Ivanna on


    the way back, but she excitedly told me she had good news to share before I could speak.