Chapter 269

[Cordelia]

I stop and take a few deep breaths, letting Atlas catch up with me. He doesn't say anything. Pulling me into his arms he holds me tightly to his chest.

I scared him.

"I'm not leaving without you, Atlas, I'm just...so done with all of this," I sigh, letting my body sink into his. "Delilah and I aren't so different. I don't want to be someone else who is using."

Atlas kisses the top of my head supportively.

"We don't know here, we don't know anything about her," I add. "Maybe she's another victim, or maybe Magnus loves her." I look up at Atlas. "Do you think maybe Magnus might be motivated by love?"

Atlas scrunches his eyebrows. "The son."

"Yes. I know he has been coming after you for the cure for a long time, but something changed a handful of years ago. Something made him want to accelerate things. What if..."

"What if he stole our son to save his own," Atlas finishes for me.

I nod. "Maybe he stole those embryos with a more selfish purpose, and he kept two for whatever