As Atlas mentioned, Eva did leave on Friday, and her absence somehow made me feel free. Since she moved in, I haven't left my room without a reason. I used to enjoy strolling through the garden behind the house, but since she arrived, I've mostly stayed locked in my room. Today, Atlas came home early because he had to drop her off at the airport. He asked if I wanted to join them, but I politely declined. I wasn't going to waste my time dropping her off when I could savor every second of my newfound freedom. Besides, I would have been intruding on their moment. It's bad enough that I live with them. I'm sure Eva didn't want me to go either. She didn't ask me to join them—only Atlas did.I know I’m painting her as the villain in my story, even though she hasn’t done anything to deserve it. She has been nothing but civil to me. It’s me who ignores her. I can’t stand her because she has what I’ve always wanted: Atlas. Knowing that I never stood a chance hurts, and maybe that’s why I harb
I don’t know why I decided to share such an intimate part of my life with Atlas. We have never been close enough to talk about our personal lives and relationships. I never believed Atlas saw me as someone he could confide in, but tonight, for the first time, he opened up about something happening in his life. I felt compelled to share my part as well, but this was not something I should have disclosed. I hadn’t even told Jess, mostly because Patrick is her brother. I had planned to keep this information to myself, and I should have kept it that way. As soon as the words escaped my mouth, I panicked.“Umm, I mean... I... uh,” I stammered, closing my eyes tightly in embarrassment. I exhaled and shook my head, opening my eyes with a chuckle of shame. “You know what? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you that. I didn’t mean to share that piece of news with anyone, and I just... I don’t know. I guess I have trouble keeping my thoughts to myself,” I continued, nervously ranting. I opened my
I watched as he knelt in front of me, carefully cleaning and dressing the wound on my knee. His touch was tender, and his focus unwavering. "This might sting a bit," he warned before applying the antiseptic. As soon as the cotton ball touched the small cut, I hissed and jerked my knee. Atlas’s hand came to my thigh, holding it firmly in place. His cold, wet palm gently squeezed my thigh. "Hold still," he softly instructed.I gulped, watching him kneeling in front of me, completely soaked. His white shirt clung to his body, revealing the contours of his chest and arms. His attention was so keen on my injury, his face so close to my knee that I could feel his warm breath on my skin, sending shivers up and down my legs. When he pressed the cotton ball on the wound again, I hissed once more but didn't jerk my leg this time as he was holding it steady.“It’s okay,” he muttered gently, cleaning the wound with care. It wasn’t a big injury, just a small cut. One swipe and it was clean. After
“This is exactly what I didn’t want,” Jess muttered, her face twisted in annoyance as she and I watched a couple of guys from our class cannonball into the pool. Water splashed everywhere, drenching the people sitting around the edge. Some laughed, some shrieked, and others protested loudly. Jess and I stood in the corner, watching the chaos unfold in her meticulously maintained backyard. Jess, being a bit of a neat freak, was visibly distressed by the mess they were making. I couldn't help but laugh, taking a sip of my lemonade.We stood under the patio umbrella, trying to escape the relentless sun. Jess was wearing a dark blue spaghetti-strap crop top and shorts, with a net shrug draped over her shoulders. I had shed my white sundress and now stood in a yellow bikini top and denim shorts, feeling the heat on my bare skin. Both of us were barefoot, our hair tied up in messy high buns, and we wore sunglasses to shield our eyes from the bright light. Jess took another sip of her lemona
I was still very wasted when Atlas came to get me. Despite my drunken haze, seeing him there surprised me, but at that moment, I was too intoxicated to care much. “Bye, Jess,” I laughingly waved my hand as she snored on the grass. Patrick exhaled heavily, his eyes lingering on his sister. He knew he had a night of cleanup ahead of him.Chuckling to myself, I walked over to Patrick and embraced him in a tight hug. “Bye, Patrick,” I muttered into his ear, feeling a surge of gratitude. “Thank you for today. You’re amazing,” I told him, reluctantly pulling away but keeping my arms around his neck. As he held me by my waist, smiling warmly, I looked up at him. He was perfect—handsome, considerate, and kind. Everything a girl could want in a guy. Yet, why couldn’t we just fall in love with each other? Why did I have to complicate things with feelings for Atlas, the forbidden fruit?Patrick smiled back at me. “No worries, I’m always here for you,” he replied, glancing over my shoulder at Atl
Atlas didn’t come back for several minutes. He stayed outside, lighting a cigarette and smoking without once turning to look at me or speaking. I sat frozen in place, the weight of my embarrassment crushing me. When he finally returned, he got in the car and slammed the door shut, starting the engine with a tense determination. We both pretended nothing had happened, but the silence between us was heavy and suffocating.The tension was palpable, and neither of us dared to break it. Atlas drove fast, and I clutched my seat in the passenger's side, hoping we'd make it home in one piece. When the car screeched to a halt in front of the house, I finally dared to look at him. His face was a mask of anger, his jaw clenched and eyes narrowed. He looked like a ticking bomb, ready to explode. At that moment, I was genuinely afraid of him.I wanted to apologize, but I feared that even opening my mouth would set him off. So, I kept quiet. Without waiting for me, Atlas threw open his door, slamme
I was utterly drained. Monday had arrived, and after spending the entire Sunday with Jess, I was certain I would confide everything in her. But when she asked what had happened, embarrassment held me back, so I lied. I told her Eva had returned, and I simply didn't want to be around the lovebirds. She accepted my explanation without question. After all, she knew how Eva's presence affected me.We spent most of Sunday lounging around, napping, and eating, both of us nursing our hangovers. The only productive thing we managed was making some progress on my capstone research. I checked my phone a few times, hoping for a message from Atlas, but of course, there was nothing. Why did I even expect him to reach out after what had transpired?That night, I stayed at Jess's apartment. Sleep eluded me. I tossed and turned, desperately trying to push away thoughts of Saturday night. But no matter how hard I tried, memories of what had happened between Atlas and me haunted my thoughts relentlessl
“Wait, you’re going out with Dr. Lawson? The Dr. Seth Lawson?!” Jess gushed as we walked onto campus, her eyes wide with excitement.My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly scanned the area, praying no one had overheard her. Thankfully, the students around us were too engrossed in their own conversations to notice. I shot Jess a sharp glare, but she just laughed, clearly enjoying my discomfort.“Are you crazy, Jess? No, I am not going out with my professor, you idiot,” I whispered urgently, trying to keep my voice low. “He’s just helping me with my proposal, which is due tomorrow. We’re meeting off-campus for convenience.” I playfully slapped her arm, but my anxiety was real. “Stop saying things that aren’t true. Someone might hear you and get the wrong idea,” I continued, rolling my eyes at her. “That’s how rumors start, and the last thing I need is that kind of attention.”Jess just grinned, unbothered by my scolding. “Relax, Harper. No one heard me. Besides, who wouldn’t want to spen
The rest of the week flew by in a blur—work, spending time with Jess, and the constant flood of calls and messages from Atlas. I didn’t pick up a single one. His texts, all variations of the same theme, piled up on my phone, each one a hollow echo of regret. If Atlas had proven anything over the past few days, it was that he was sorry. But that word, sorry, had lost all meaning to me.I used to be the girl who’d drop everything for him, who’d bend to his will with a single word. But not anymore. I was too hurt, too broken, to let his apologies soften me. Even if he meant them—truly meant them—I didn’t want them. They couldn’t fix what he’d shattered.Saturday arrived faster than I was ready for, leaving me standing in front of my cupboard, staring at the meager selection of clothes. I blew my cheeks out in frustration before turning to Jess, who was casually perched on my bed, lost in her book. “I really need to get the rest of my stuff back from Atlas,” I muttered.Jess looked up, he
“Are you going to tell me what happened? Is this about Amanda? Did she say something to you?” Jess's voice trembled slightly as she stood outside the bathroom door where I had locked myself. I had tried to pull myself together before coming home, but the effort had been futile. The moment I stepped into the apartment, Jess took one look at me and knew something was wrong. When she asked what happened, the dam broke. Tears streamed down my face, and when she wrapped her arms around me, I collapsed into sobs. She didn’t press me for answers, just held me, her silent presence a comfort.After what felt like hours of ugly crying, I finally excused myself and retreated to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, trying to erase the evidence of my breakdown. As I wiped my face with a towel, I noticed streaks of makeup staining the fabric. It was a small thing, but it felt like a mark of my defeat. I tried not to catch my reflection in the mirror, but when I did, the sight of myself o
He didn’t need to guide me. I knew exactly what to do. While he remained standing, steady and composed, I could feel my legs trembling with the overwhelming pull of desire. The weight of it was too much, and I made my way to the bed, the cool sheets beneath me a stark contrast to the heat building inside.I waited, expecting him to join me, to close the distance between us, but he didn’t move. He stood there for a few long, torturous seconds, his eyes narrowing as he watched me. I could see the thoughts swirling in his mind, hidden behind a carefully controlled expression. He was a master at masking his emotions, but there was one thing he couldn’t hide—lust. It blazed in his eyes, a raw, primal hunger that made my heart race.I was certain he would climb into bed with me, that he would let go of the restraint I could see him struggling to maintain. But instead, he surprised me. He dragged the armchair from the corner of the room, pulling it closer to the bed. He sat down, his gaze ne
Walking back to the living room, I felt a heavy weight inside me. I was nervous and ashamed. Every glance in my direction made me feel like they knew what I had done and what I was doing. As I stepped out, Aunt Rosa's concerned voice met me.“Oh sweetie, I hope you’re okay. You were gone for a while and you look flushed,” she said.Her words heightened my anxiety. I hadn’t even thought to check myself in the mirror before reentering. Pressing my lips together, I decided to lie.“Uh, yes. I’m fine. The food just didn’t agree with me,” I said softly.She gave me a sympathetic smile, her hand gently stroking my arm. Over her shoulder, I saw Atlas reenter the living room from outside. He must have taken the back door earlier and now returned through the main entrance, maintaining the illusion that he had been outside all this time. His calculated move made me feel slightly less nervous. He offered me a quick glance as he passed us and walked over to Philippe.My stomach knotted at the sig
For the next five minutes, I remained frozen. I couldn't bring myself to speak or excuse myself. When I glanced at Atlas, his calm gaze met my panicked eyes. I gulped, feeling both anxious and thrilled. This was something I'd never done before—something so controversial. Fear and intrigue mingled within me. I wanted to know what would happen if I excused myself to the washroom, so I finally gathered the courage.Clearing my throat, I gained everyone's attention. Offering a small smile to Aunt Rosa, I stated, "Please excuse me. I’ll be back in a minute. You all carry on." As I stood, the chair scraped against the floor, making me wince. I straightened my dress and, with a quick glance at Atlas, aimed for the washroom. Unsure of which washroom to go to, I decided to head to my old room.Each step felt like a journey as I made my way down the hall, my heart pounding in anticipation. What would Atlas do next? The thrill of the unknown sent shivers down my spine, making my steps both hesit
When Philippe learned that I already knew Dr. Lawson, he echoed my thoughts with a chuckle, "What a small world." Dr. Seth was then introduced to Amanda and Aunt Rosa as Philippe's nephew and my professor/boss. The moment felt awkward, perhaps because I now realized Dr. Lawson was connected to a distant family member who might uncover aspects of my life I preferred to keep private.Amanda's reaction added to my unease. She arched an eyebrow upon learning that Dr. Lawson was my professor, a glint of mischief in her eyes before she smirked softly. It sent a chill down my spine. While I hadn't done anything that could tarnish my reputation—at least, nothing Amanda knew about—I couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension. Being around Amanda always made me wary, and this situation was no exception.But I wasn’t the only one feeling awkward. Dr. Lawson seemed equally uncomfortable. After his initial greeting, he avoided making eye contact with me. Instead, he engaged in a polite conversatio
It was a weird and dangerous game we were playing. I still didn’t know how Atlas truly felt about me. Did he like me? Did he love me the way I loved him? Or was it all just physical for him? All I knew was that whatever he felt for me had been simmering for a while. I wanted to ask him, but I didn’t want to ruin what we had. I knew I was on the path to getting hurt again, but I loved his attention. It was exactly what I always craved, and now that I had it, I didn’t want it to end. I wasn’t going to tell Jess either because I knew she would never approve of my choices, and rightfully so. I was being incredibly dumb and naïve. I wasn’t thinking with my brain. I was letting my heart lead me to my doom.“How horrible is it to ask you to come back home?” Atlas asked softly. I was sitting on the couch in his office with my feet up while he leaned against the very desk he had bent me over, his arms folded across his chest. Our little session had ended a few minutes ago, but my ass was still
Eva's words echoed in my mind, each one striking me like a blow. I still couldn’t wrap my head around what I had just learned. All this time, I thought Atlas was cheating on Eva with me, but I was utterly wrong. He ended their relationship the night I left.Why hadn’t Atlas told me? Why hadn’t he come back to me? My heart skipped a beat, a flicker of hope sparking within me. Had he ended things with Eva for me? Did he want me as much as I wanted him? But then, my heart sank into my stomach, a cold dread washing over me. If that were true, why hadn’t he reached out? Was I just a pawn in his game? What was I to him? What was he doing with me?I felt a storm of emotions raging inside me—confusion, hurt, hope, and despair all mingling into a nauseating swirl. I didn’t tell anyone about meeting Eva, not even Jess. She was too consumed with guilt for setting me up with a guy like Dylan to notice how distracted I was when I got home.The revelation that Atlas was no longer with Eva kept gnaw
I couldn’t shake off the memories of what happened between Atlas and me in the washroom. It has gotten to the point where I can’t visit public or office washrooms without recalling the incident. What happened between us was wrong and so embarrassing. I was truly ashamed of myself.It has been a week since I last saw Atlas, and I'm glad for the distance. But even in his absence, the memories occupied my mind, causing my work to suffer. Dr. Lawson noticed and called me out, saying, “Miss Miller, if you’d rather be somewhere else than be here, maybe you should just leave.” I apologized and tried to focus on taking notes during therapy sessions with different juvenile convicts. I was so mad at Atlas. I couldn’t concentrate on anything at work, and this incredible opportunity was slipping through my fingers because of him.The week was finally over, and the weekend was on the horizon. Jess had started her internship, so she was busy during the week as well. It was Friday night, and I was b