Sophie said, "Humphrey, there are plenty of opportunities out there, even after a divorce. Take this money and buy a villa. I bet you'll find a well-behaved girl next year."

"Huh?"

What shocked me wasn't just Sophie's words but the black card she handed me.

"Don't underestimate yourself," Sophie said.

"Wait a minute, Mom, where did you steal this black card from? Give it back to the rightful owner."

Honestly, my initial reaction was to suspect Megan's mother had given the black card to Sophie, saying contemptuously, "Spend as much as you want, as long as your son leaves my daughter!"

Megan always forced me to watch those soap operas. I guessed the plot infected me.

Thinking about this made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Every little moment flashed before my eyes; the hatred was real, but so were the feelings I had invested.

Just as I was still feeling sentimental, Timothy gave me a smack on the back of my head.

"Hey, how dare you speak to your mother like that!"

I rubbed my head, feeling a bit dejected. I had to see my parents show their affection after my divorce upon my return.

"Oh, be gentler with your son," Sophie scolded Timothy, then began to explain to me.