Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom

My father shook his head. "I need to get better as soon as possible. I want to help Atlas fulfill Louis's last wish and see if we can completely replicate those maps in my lifetime." "Those maps? You mean it's not just one map?" I looked at my father in confusion.

"Of course not. To be precise, there are six maps, one for each continent, excluding Wrekonia. We did send some people there, but the harsh environment forced us to abandon the mission.

"However, we continued to explore around the edges of Wrekonia. What those seven members did was remarkable, even when they had no communication among themselves.

"Atlas says he only knows two of them. He has no idea about the other five, which means their fate is uncertain. So, restoring the maps to their original state might be difficult," my father said with a grave expression, sighing softly.

"It would be best if we could retrieve the maps. It would save us a lot of trouble," he continued.

"Don't worry about it, Dad. Just focus on getting well. It doesn't matter if we mine those minerals or not. Your health is my biggest concern." I took his hand.

"You've suffered for so many years. Now you can live peacefully with me and Atlas. As long as you're here and healthy, that's all that matters."

My father looked at me and gently caressed my head with his frail hand. "I'm sorry for all the suffering you've endured, my precious daughter. Atlas told me you've been through a lot too. We should be grateful. Your foster parents are your true parents. They gave you a second chance at life, and they've taken care of you so well all these years."

His eyes were filled with guilt.

"Don't worry, Dad. They've been like real parents to me. They've treated me with genuine care and love. As long as I can remember, they've cherished me like a princess and never let me down. I'll always be grateful," I assured him.

Ava snuggled closer to me and looked at my father, trying to please him. "I'll be grateful too."

My father smiled affectionately at Ava. "My clever little granddaughter."

"Now, tell me about your previous marriage." He scrutinized me, then glanced at Ava. "It's rare to see such a well-behaved little girl."

I ruffled Ava's hair. She looked up at me and snuggled closer to me.

I recounted everything about my past with the Murphy family and what happened to Matthew.

My father looked regretful, but he comforted me, saying, "Let bygones be bygones. That was all part of God's plan for Atlas to find you in the end."

"Yes, after we were separated, he looked for me for eighteen years. He said he always believed I was still out there, and that he would find me eventually."

My father smited. "I've had high

hopes for that boy since he was little. You two were inseparable. He's only a few months older than you but he always protected you like an

older brother. He was just like a little

man.

QUMS

"We had hoped that our families would become one someday, but we didn't expect all these twists and turns. It's a blessing he didn't give up on you. He's a good man."

"He cares for the both of us, and he even risked his life to save Ava. He treats us with a lot of love and care." I hugged my daughter tightly, feeling grateful.

"This was all fate." My father sighed. "Back then, I was opposed to Louis focusing the business in Torado, but his vision was right."

"You have to focus on getting better soon, Dad. Atlas really needs you."

"Yes. I hope to start the BZ plan soon when the time is right. The Pierce family will have its successor and Louis can finally rest in peace" My father seemed to remember something and asked, "Have you seen Loak? How is he doing today?"

"I saw him, and he's getting better," reassured my father. Then I looked at my father and asked, "How did Atlas find you? That's something I've always wanted to know."