Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom

As I reached the doorway, someone opened the door for me, and I stepped inside.

The house was grand. It gleamed white like something out of a fairy tale palace. The landscaping in the courtyard was beautifully manicured, with a veranda at one end and a white swing gently swaying in the breeze. I could almost see a girl in a red dress sitting on it, her laughter echoing in the courtyard, while a handsome boy pushed her higher on the swing. She soared like a bird, high into the air.

The boy was handsome, exuding an aura of elegance.

The girl excitedly shouted, "Higher. Can you make me go higher?"

As I turned around, I saw a gentle woman sitting on the veranda, watching us from afar.

I heard the girl's voice ring out, "Mommy, am I high enough?"

She just smiled, not saying a word.

The woman got up to leave, and I quickly looked away from the swing, hurrying to catch up. I felt a genuine fondness for her.

She was just ahead of me, heading toward the villa's greenhouse. It was a large glass structure bathed in sunlight, looking absolutely radiant inside.

It was filled with exotic flowers and plants, and I gazed around curiously.

Finally, I saw her by a large pond, quietly observing the lotus blooming there. They were pale yellow with golden stamens.

"Stella."

I thought I heard her call out, and I couldn't help but run over.

She asked me, "Do you like it?"

I nodded with a bright smile. "It's beautiful. Why do you like the lotus flower, Mommy?"

"Because they symbolize harmony, purity, and light. They are the embodiment of all things beautiful." She opened her hand, revealing a miniature yellow lotus.

"What's this?" I stared at the lotus in her hand.

It was made of inset rubies carved into the shape of petals that were intricately mounted on a base. The entire flower was exquisitely crafted and lifelike, sparkling in her palm, its priceless value evident. "It's a brooch. Do you think it looks real?" She looked at me and asked gently.

The affection in her gaze made me feel particularly warm, and I wanted to move closer to her.

She pulled me over and pinned the lotus brooch to my dress. It shimmered brilliantly against the backdrop of my white dress.

Feeling exceptionally beautiful, I ran out of the garden while calling for my father.

I saw the gates open again, and a car drove in. Several people got out. Their faces were a bit blurry to me, but I still called out to them, "Do I look pretty?"

They all looked at me, smiling. The

young man leaned against a couple, and I saw my father when he was young. He picked me up, spinning me around, and my laughter filled the air.

I ran back into the house, still shouting, "Atlas, come quickly."

The group walked into the hall, and I kept calling out to them, rushing inside.

In the side hall, there was a white piano that gleamed, like my mother said.

I called out to Atlas to play the piano with me. He smiled and sat down beside me, and the beautiful melody echoed through the spacious hall Two couples stood by the piano, smiling happily and harmoniously, their eyes full of loving looks directed at us.

My hands danced across the keys, and I felt truly happy.

But suddenly, everyone disappeared, and I saw my mother crying.

The house suddenly felt cold, with no one around. I jumped off the stool in horror, wanting to run to her. I saw her still holding the lotus, then wiped away her tears and took a box of chocolates.

She put the last piece of chocolate in my mouth. It was so sweet.

Then, she placed the brooch on a stack of beige cloth with words on it, wrapped it up, and put it in the box.

"Mommy, why are you putting it away? Aren't you going to wear it anymore?" I asked her.

She closed the lid, then took out a thick white candle and placed it over the fire. Soon, the wax melted, and my mother allowed it to drip over the box.

I looked at her actions in confusion, and asked anxiously, "Mommy, what are you doing? Why are you doing this?"

She didn't answer me.

Her tears streamed down her face, some dripping onto her hands. I could almost feel her pain, and I noticed that her hands were red from the hot wax.