Beyond the Divorce



The tranquil and serene atmosphere of Pleca Park was suddenly disrupted by a horde of frenzied reporters, disturbing the peace.

They surged forward incessantly, snapping photos and causing a commotion, while the security guards tried to keep them at bay. The noisy chaos alarmed everyone.

Security at the Pleca Park had always been top-notch, with strong confidentiality measures in place. Outsiders usually couldn't approach us. How did those people manage to get in?

When Ardie saw the situation, he stood up and commanded, "Let's head to the backyard."

At his command, we all rose and headed toward the garden.

Ivanna, who had been sitting quietly in the courtyard, suddenly called out timidly, "Lauren."

Both Lauren and I turned to look at her, noticing that her expression seemed off. She was cradling her stomach carefully.

Lauren also noticed something was amiss and hurried over to her, asking, "How do you feel, Ivanna? Are you alright?"

I quickly joined them, and Ivanna, biting her lip, grabbed Lauren's hand, "It hurts, Lauren... it hurts."

I was taken aback and exchanged a glance with Lauren, then quickly asked Ivanna, "Is it time for delivery?"

Ivanna shook her head.

I immediately instructed Ardie, "Quick, call an ambulance. Anya, go to the annex and get a doctor."

They both acted swiftly. Anya dashed toward the annex.

I turned back to Ivanna and reassured her. "Don't worry, Ivanna. It'll be alright. The ambulance will be here soon."

Ardie and the doctor maintained contact with the ambulance, fearing they might have trouble finding the entrance to the garden. Ardie rushed to his car, intending to guide the ambulance out.

However, his car was intercepted at

the gate and unable to leave. The people at the gate showed no intention of making way. Instead, they waited at the entrance,

et

expecting the guards to leadne

gate.

the

Unable to leave, Ardie shouted in frustration, "Get out of the way!"

But no matter how much Ardie shouted, those people acted as if they were possessed, pushing forward.

Meanwhile, Ivanna's condition seemed urgent. Her seat was damp. I looked at Lauren. "It looks like her water broke."

Lauren, who was inexperienced in these matters, turned pale. "What should we do, Chloe?"

My mother, Molly, and the doctor hurried over. After a brief examination, the doctor looked at me helplessly. "We need to go to the hospital immediately. Her water's broken."

I grabbed Ivanna's hand, comforting her. "Don't be afraid, Ivanna. Everything will be fine. The ambulance is on its way."

At this moment, Ivanna cried out in pain involuntarily, scaring the children, who turned pale.

"Hana, Anya, take them to the backyard." I said. Myra and Annika immediately led the children away with Anya.

The car horn blared deafeningly at the gate, but the people blocking the car ignored it.

Thankfully, the sound of the

ambulance was growing closer.

Lauren and I felt relieved. After Hana

sent the children to the backyard, she hurried back, helping to wipe the sweat off Ivanna's face and

supporting her from behind.

"The ambulance is here, Ivanna. We'll go to the hospital soon." I encouraged her, "Hang in there."

Finally, the ambulance arrived at the gate, but the people still refused to give way. I couldn't afford any delay with Ivanna in this condition. I gestured to the gatekeeper, "Open the gate."

After some hesitation, the

gatekeeper followed my orders and quickly opened the gate. The people rushed in like a surging flood, some incessantly taking photos while others headed straight toward us. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I directed the ambulance to drive straight in. By now, reporters had surrounded us, raising their microphones and recorders, clamoring to ask questions.

We were enclosed in a tightly-packed circle, with no way out.