Chapter 20

An Excellent Opportunity I glanced at the incessantly ringing phone, unsure how to describe my emotions. The timing was impeccable 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 of last 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!” Ivanna laughed. “Let’s go out.”

“Ava isn’t at school yet, so I’m just playing 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 mood last 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 relax and have some quiet time. Can I come to your place? 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?”

“What do you mean? Even if I had a man over, I’d kick him out so you can come over,” Ivanna replied, “All right, then. You stay there, and I’ll pick you and Ava up later. 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..

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

Ivanna’s car arrived two hours later, 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 place. 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 place 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 place 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 accident.”

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

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

Fresh flowers were on the coffee table, showing a single woman’s sophisticated taste. The place was beautiful compared to my shabby 450–square–foot apartment.

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 place is so pretty!”

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.