Where Mountains and Seas Never Cross

The photo on the wall was taken during last year’s spring festival.

In the picture, Wanda was not smiling even for the slightest. Also, the others wore smiles that felt forced, almost mechanical.

I was the only one seated in the center, grinning like a fool.

Now that I could see it clearly, it was painfully obvious how ironic and absurd the whole scene was.

Unable to hold back, I picked up my phone and dialed Lucas.

The call connected quickly, but I could not hear any traces of any guilt from Lucas at all. Instead, his voice brimmed with excitement. "Dad, you really should come to Estoria to visit!"

"The winter here is truly beautiful. Snow blankets everything as far as the eye can see like the world has been covered in silver."

"Mr. Collins took us to visit so many scenic spots and Xavion and Xavier are having the time of their lives."

"I can’t talk much longer, Dad. We’re about to go dog sledding and Mr. Collins is already calling for us."

Then came the beep of the disconnected line as bitterness welled up inside me.

Several times, I thought of calling Wanda. My thumb hovered over her number, ready to press, but every time, I stopped myself.

We had agreed to part ways. I had no right to disturb her anymore.

Just as I was about to put the phone down, it rang. The screen lit up with her name.

"Yes, Wanda?"

"Ethan, it’s me, Luigi Collins."

I froze, my earlier excitement turning into confusion.

"Wanda is out playing with the boys, so she asked me to call and let you know everything is fine."

This was the first time I had ever spoken to Luigi.

I only knew him as Wanda’s first love and her junior high school classmate. People said he was gentle and easygoing.

"Ethan, I want to apologize to you first."

"It was my idea to invite Lucas and his family to Estoria to visit."

"I thought about informing you beforehand, but Wanda insisted it wasn’t necessary."

"She said the children are grown now and can make their own decisions."

"She didn’t think every family matter needed to go through you."

"Ethan, you’re not upset about this, are you?"

I clenched my teeth, struggling to keep my voice steady as pain and anger swirled inside me.

His polite tone masked something sharper, a provocation disguised as a courtesy.

Taking a deep breath, I forced a calm tone. "No, as long as they’re happy."

Luigi chuckled lightly. "Haha, that’s good to hear. Then I can rest assured."

"Ethan, I must thank you."

"Really, thank you for taking such good care of Wanda all these years. You’ve been a responsible and kind man."

"And actually, Wanda and I are planning to get married next week."

"If it’s convenient, we’d love for you to come to our wedding."

My fist clenched so hard that my nails dug into my palm.

Before I could even respond, I heard Wanda’s voice in the background.

"Luigi, who are you talking to on the phone?"

In the next moment, the call disconnected abruptly.

It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room, leaving me hollow and drained. Slowly, I sank onto the sofa.

The weight of loneliness and coldness pressed down on me.

I did not drink a drop of water for the rest of the day.

Late into the night, my phone buzzed with a message from Wanda.

[Ethan, are you asleep?]

I forced myself to pick up the phone and her familiar avatar stared back at me, stirring a storm of emotions inside.

My fingers trembled for a long time until I fell asleep before replying.

[If you’re awake, I’d like to discuss something with you.]

Her tone was so familiar, just like in the past when she would bring up important family matters for us to decide together.

I frowned and replied, [There’s nothing to discuss. We’re divorced. You can marry whoever you want.]

[That’s not what I wanted to talk about. Luigi has never been married and he doesn’t have any children. So I want Lucas to change his surname, along with Xavion and Xavier.]

The anger I had just suppressed instantly surged back, raging in my chest.