Atlas' POVAs the sound of the clock ticked in my ear, I lay wide awake, staring at the ceiling, drawing a breath, feeling my frustration mounting, my mind swirling with chaos of thoughts I refused to consider.I knew it was foolish to let myself believe she could take me back. I pushed her to the edge and abandoned her emotions when it was clear she was suffering as much as me.Sleep was something I couldn't afford. I'd tried to force myself, but my thoughts only grew darker, and I forced my body off the hospital bed, relieved that they had removed the equipment and wires from me.The gunshot wound still hurt since they had done surgery to take it out. I paced around the room, ignoring the pain in my chest.Just then, the door opened, and my guards walked in. When they stepped aside, Lilith was standing there."Leave us," I ordered my guards, my voice firm but calm.They hesitated for a moment, their eyes flickering between us, before nodding and quietly exiting the room.The moment t
The entire night, I watched Lilith lay on the couch, covered with the hospital blanket. As the morning came, she was still tossing and turning, barely getting any sleep. By seven o'clock, she seemed to have finally fallen asleep. I was about to shut my eyes too when my room door opened, and Jessica rushed in, causing Lilith to jump awake from her sleep.I scowled at Jessica, and she apologized hastily. "I'm sorry, Atlas. I didn't mean to startle you both."Lilith sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Jessica, what's going on?"Jessica hesitated, glancing nervously at me before turning back to Lilith. "Lilith, you need to come out with me."I could see the look of fear in Jessica's eyes, and I intervened. "Whatever you have to tell Lilith, you can say it in front of me."Jessica seemed even more hesitant, then blurted out, "Lilith, your boyfriend is in the lobby, causing a scene and screaming for you to come out. The supervisor, Mrs. Ling, asked you to meet her downstairs."Lilith was about to ge
Lilith's POVThe drive from the hospital to the mansion was silent, the kind of silence that felt like it was charged with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. The SUV glided smoothly over the pavement, but inside, I felt like we were navigating through a storm. I stole glances at Atlas, who sat beside me, his jaw clenched, eyes fixed on the horizon. The rage in his eyes hadn’t dimmed, even as we left the hospital behind.Every time I glanced at him, I saw the restlessness that consumed him. It was as though he was fighting an internal battle, one that I could see but not fully understand. His anger was raw, and the tension between us grew so thick that I could barely breathe.When the mansion came into view, a wave of nostalgia hit me. Memories of happier times with Atlas and the pain of our separation washed over me. The grand entrance, the well-tended gardens—everything seemed so familiar and so far away. My heart ached with the realization of how much had changed.As the car c
The scars on my skin from Mitch's brutality stared back at him, and I watched as Atlas struggled to keep his composure. His eyes, once fierce with anger, now glistened with a mix of sorrow and disbelief. It was as though the very sight of those scars was pulling him into a vortex of pain and rage he barely managed to keep in check.I could see the muscles in his jaw clench and unclench, his breaths coming in shallow, controlled gasps. The silence in the room grew heavy, almost suffocating, as the weight of my scars bore down on both of us. He looked at each mark with an intensity that spoke of the anguish and anger he felt for what Mitch had done to me.Calmly, he rose from the bed and approached me, his expression softening ever so slightly when our eyes locked together. I could feel his gaze as it traveled over my skin.Then he leaned in, kissing each slowly and deliberately one by one. Each time his lips brushed my skin, I felt the tiniest bit more of the tension leave my body. Wh
That morning, I sat on the edge of our bed, the sunlight streaming through the curtains, casting a soft glow over Atlas's bare chest. My fingers moved carefully as I unwrapped the bandage from his wound, the memory of how deep it had been two weeks ago still fresh in my mind. I couldn't help but smile at how well it had healed."Looking good," I murmured, tracing the line of the scab with my fingertip. It wasn't as angry and red as it had been, now just a faint mark that would eventually fade into a memory.Atlas winced slightly as I touched the sensitive skin, and a scowl creased his face. It made me pout, and I gently traced his scowl with my thumb, trying to smooth it away."Don't scowl at me," I teased, my voice soft. "I worked hard to fix you up, you know."He took my hand in his, his touch warm and reassuring. "I know," he said, bringing my hand to his lips and kissing it tenderly. "Thank you, Lilith. For everything. You took care of me when I was at my worst."My heart swelled
As Tony and Atlas continued their conversation about Derrie, I found myself lost in thought, staring blankly at the floor. My mind was racing, filled with the sudden realization of the urgency of the situation. What if the information I had could change everything? The Night Owl headquarters—Linda might hold the key to uncovering the truth.Atlas’s voice cut through my haze, pulling me back to the present. “Lilith?” His voice was soft but firm, causing me to look up. “What’s wrong?”I hesitated, my heart pounding as I tried to find the right words. “It’s nothing,” I finally said, though my voice wavered. I didn’t want to lie to him, but the thought of him being involved with the Night Owl headquarters filled me with unease.Atlas studied me with a keen gaze, his brow furrowing in concern. “Lilith, I can tell something’s bothering you. Please, tell me.”Before I could respond, Atlas turned to Tony. “Tony, if there are any updates, let me know immediately. We need to get to the bottom o
Atlas's tense expression softened at my words. He let out a small sigh and leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Love you too, Lilith. Let’s just get this over with.”We walked downstairs to the room where I kept my weapons, the weight of the situation heavy on both of us. The Night Owl headquarters held many memories, most of them dark and filled with danger. Returning there wasn’t something either of us took lightly.I grabbed my guns from their secure case, checking to make sure they were fully loaded and in working order. Atlas stood by the door, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if he were already on high alert. His protective instincts were in overdrive, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt for dragging him into this.“Ready?” he asked, his voice calm but firm.I nodded, tucking the guns into my holster. “Ready.”We left the house and got into Atlas’s car, the engine rumbling to life as he started it. The drive to the Night Owl headquarters was mostly sil
I darted across the parking lot, keeping low and using the parked cars as cover. I reached Linda’s car quickly, my heart pounding with a mix of adrenaline and anxiety. The thought of being caught made me tense, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.I carefully examined the lock on the driver’s side door, retrieving my lock-picking tools from a hidden pocket. With practiced precision, I worked on the lock, my fingers moving deftly. It clicked open with a satisfying sound, and I quickly slipped inside, closing the door behind me as quietly as possible.Inside the car, I crouched down, hiding as best as I could while keeping an eye on the entrance of the parking lot. I checked my watch, noting the time. Atlas had given me a tight window, and I needed to be ready.The minutes ticked by slowly, each one feeling like an eternity. My mind raced with possibilities—what if Linda didn’t come out? What if she got a driver for herself? Just as doubt started to creep in, the entranc
Atlas' POVParis, the city of love. The night street light glowed on Lilith's face as she stared up at the Effie Towel."How can it still look so pretty... Even after three months of being here, I still can't believe how beautiful Paris is," She said to me with a soft smile on her face. I love her with everything in me... But this version of her, happy, carefree, and full of life is my favorite part about her. She turned around and looked into my eyes with those gorgeous ones. In some sense, we were never that different... Life hasn't been fair to us... Her toxic relationship with Mitch, and the betrayal of my uncles, brought out the worst side of us. But the best outcome of it all was meeting her."What? Do I have something on my face?" Lilith giggled, her eyes widened so cutely.I shook my head and replied, "No..nothing like that." When she gazed back at the towel, I stared at my watch, counting slowly, "3, 2, 1..."The fireworks lit up the sky like a thousand stars, and I droppe
His uncles shifted uncomfortably, clearly taken aback by Atlas's confident demeanor. Then Alex cleared his throat. "We'll be going now," he said stiffly."Right. But before you do, you all are fired, effectively and immediately. I want your desks clear and your belongings out of the offices by the end of the day," Atlas declared, his tone unwavering.Alex exchanged a look with his brothers, their expressions a mix of surprise and indignation. "Atlas, you can't just—" "Yes, I can," Atlas interrupted firmly. "I have played the game of cat and mouse long enough with you all and it's time to end it all once and for all.""Atlas, nephew..." Luke stepped forward, his voice a mix of pleading and frustration. "We've been here for you since day one. We've supported you through thick and thin. You can't just cast us aside like this.""Right," Ransom spoke up, his voice tinged with bitterness. "After all we've done for you, this is how you repay us?""We have always had your best interests at
"The court is about to begin! Everyone, please take your seats!" announced the bailiff, breaking the tense silence in the room.Atlas squared his shoulders, exchanging a glance with me. I could sense the weight of stress and the complexity of emotions swirling around him. We moved past Alex, Atlas went to the front with Wilson, and I sat on the bench with Tony and Victor. The two took my hand in theirs, and I smiled at them, feeling a bit less tense. The room fell silent as everyone settled into their seats, awaiting the start of the proceedings.As the judge entered and took his place at the bench, the courtroom hushed even further. "The court is in section! We are here today to determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant, Atlas Sharpe, in the murder of Mitch. Mr. Wilson, you may proceed with your opening statement." The judge announced.Mr. Wilson stood up, adjusting his glasses before addressing the court. "Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury," he began, his voic
Silently, I sat on the bed watching Atlas wear his coat. When he reached for his tie, I woke from the bed approached him, and gently took the tie from his hands. "Let me help you with that," I whispered.Atlas turned to face me, his eyes softening as he nodded. I deftly looped the tie around his neck, my fingers brushing against the cool fabric. The silence between us was comfortable, filled with unspoken words and shared understanding.As I tightened the knot and adjusted the tie, I glanced up to meet his gaze. "You look perfect," I said with a small smile.Atlas smiled back, a rare and beautiful sight. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice warm and tender.For a moment, we stood there, inches apart, and even though he tried to mask it with a smile, I could see the stress in his eyes. The trailer has been going on for one year and today we get to hear the final verdict. I knew how much this meant to him, how deeply he cared about the outcome. Gently, I placed a hand on his cheek, feel
"Okay," I said quietly, clicking on the most recent file, and the video began to play."Stop... Stop, Mitch.""Mitch, stop!""I can't breathe... Mitch, you are going to kill me." "I am not going to lose you again, Lilith!.... Especially not to that bitch!! You are mine! You are fucking mine, and I don't plan on making the same mistake twice and allow you to slip from my grip again.""I... I...a-m n-ot go-ing to be...bet-ray y-ou." "Do you think I am a fool? Do you think I don't know how much you hate my guts... The disgust on your face every time I touch you... Nothing I say or do could make you look at me the way you once did. You despise me." "You're wrong, Mitch...""Shut up!... I am no fool, Lilith... Now that that bastard is in a pitiful position, you are all over him. For the past two months, you barely come home or care to spend time with me. We’ve been drifting apart. You’ve become distant and indifferent and I hate it... Hate it, Lilith. So fucking much.""Mitch, plea-se."
Atlas walked in with Mr. Wilson, his lawyer, and Tony by his side. His presence seemed to fill the room with a sense of dangerous aura."Who hired you two morons?" Atlas repeated, his voice laced with anger.The taller detective's face paled. "Mr. Sharpe, we're just trying to—""You two know that this is outrageous behavior, right?" Mr. Wilson interrupted. "You two are investigating under pretenses, which is not only unethical but also illegal."Both detectives started to sweat, visibly nervous. "Mr. Wilson, we were just—" the shorter one began, but Mr. Wilson cut him off."Just what? Trying to manipulate my client into handing over evidence without proper authorization? This is a clear violation of her rights."Atlas stepped closer to my bedside, his eyes softening as they met mine. "Are you okay, Lilith?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.I nodded, feeling a rush of relief at his presence, and cried out, "I'm okay. Just a bit shaken... You are okay... I am so happy that you ar
Lilith's POVThe was this continued beeping sound ringing in my ears, and I squeezed my eyes.Suddenly, I sucked in a deep breath and then jumped up, screaming, "Atlas?!""Hold her down. The anesthesia has worn off." Dr. Ling said, and I gazed around to see that I was in a hospital room."What... what's going on?" I managed to ask out, still not quite awake, my head feeling foggy like it was covered in cotton wool.Dr. Ling began while walking towards me. "Well, you got shot in the arm and punched in the face. You suffered a serious concussion and you had minor surgery to remove your arm." "Where... Where is Atlas?" I mumbled, my memories a bit hazy with sleep, but I forced myself to focus."The detectives are waiting outside. They had been for a while, waiting for the anesthesia to wear off. They can better answer your question... But are you mentally ready to talk to them?" I nodded, trying to gather my thoughts as much as possible, feeling more aware now as my memories became
Looking away from Tony, I started around the room, and called out, "Lilith... Lilith! You in here?!"When I got no reply, my heart pounded as I realized Lilith was gone. "Tony, where is she?" I demanded, fear tightening my chest. His eyes widened, mirroring my panic. "I thought she was right here with us," he said, shaking his head. "How come-"Without a second thought, I dashed out of the apartment. The hallway stretched endlessly ahead."Lilith!!" I called out, my voice echoing off the walls. When I got silent in response, I reached for my phone, dialed her number, and listened desperately for any sound that might lead me to her.Then, in the distance, her ringtone cut through the air. I sprinted towards it, each step burning in my chest. As I reached the further end of the hallway, there she was... a shadow in the dim light, and then my eyes caught sight of Mitch turning around to face me."Atlas, get down!" Lilith screamed. At the sound of her voice, I dropped without hesitati
An hour later, I was seated by Atlas in the backseat of his car with Tony driving the car. The address Linda had given us led us to a modest apartment complex with faded paint and overgrown weeds. As we approached the building, Atlas’s hand found mine, offering a comforting squeeze."We’ll stay in touch through the comms," Tony said, breaking the silence. "If anything goes wrong, we’ll be there in seconds."I took a deep breath and squeezed Atlas's hand back, trying to steady my nerves. The apartment complex ahead looked rundown, with peeling paint and cracked sidewalks. It felt like the kind of place where someone could easily disappear into the shadows."Got it," I replied, my voice steady despite the tension. Both Atlas and I got out of the car, and Tony parked it a little further down the street to keep a low profile. The building loomed before us, and Atlas kept close to me as we approached the entrance, his presence a reassuring anchor."We’ll head up to the apartment on the th