As the room hung heavy with tension, I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, scrutinizing my every move and word. But beneath their facade of composure, I could sense their unease, their fear flickering like a hidden flame.With calculated calmness, I leaned back on the couch, my eyes locking onto each of my uncles in turn. Their collective presence seemed suffocating, but I remained composed, playing the role of the innocent nephew seeking justice."I know who killed my parents," I declared, letting the words hang in the air, savoring the moment of uncertainty that washed over them.Uncle Robert, always the one to challenge, attempted to dismiss my claim with a laugh, but his eyes betrayed a hint of apprehension. His reaction confirmed what I already suspected—they were not as confident in their deception as they appeared."Atlas, don't be insane. Your parents' death was an accident!" Robert retorted, trying to maintain control of the situation.I met his gaze evenly, allowing
Uncle Wyatt's question cut through the tense atmosphere like a knife, his tone betraying a hint of skepticism. I turned my gaze towards him, maintaining my composed facade as I considered his inquiry."Indeed, I did," I replied evenly, my voice carrying a note of authority. "But knowing who committed the act is only part of the puzzle. Understanding the circumstances leading up to it is crucial to uncovering the truth."Uncle Wyatt nodded slowly, seemingly satisfied with my response, though the skepticism lingered in his eyes.Uncle Robert, ever the opportunist, seized the moment to regain control of the conversation. With a reassuring smile directed at me, he interjected, "Wyatt makes a valid point, Atlas. Perhaps it would be best to focus on the information we already have before delving into further speculation.""I appreciate your concern, Uncle Robert," I replied, masking my true intentions behind a polite smile. "But I believe it's important to explore every avenue if we're to u
Waking up to an empty bed felt like waking up in a world without color. The sheets were cold, a stark contrast to the warmth that Lilith used to bring. I reached out, hoping to feel her soft touch, but my fingers only met the chill of the fabric. It sucked, honestly. I wanted to call out to her, to tell her to come back, but I knew better. Instead, I opted for a cold shower, hoping it would wash away the ache in my chest.The water hit me like a ton of bricks, waking me up fully. With each drop, I tried to push away the memories of her, of us. I needed to be strong, to focus on anything but her. So, I dressed quickly, trying to ignore the space around me, and headed downstairs.Tony was waiting for me, his face a mix of worry and professionalism. I nodded at him, trying to pretend like everything was normal. "Morning, Tony," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "Any updates on security?"He launched into a report, but I could hardly focus. Lilith's absence hung
As my uncles settled into their seats, I shifted my focus solely onto Uncle Robert. Despite the tension between us, I had to maintain the facade of familial affection, playing the game he had started."Uncle Robert," I began, my tone warm and inviting, "I've been thinking about the future of our businesses, and I believe it's time for us to consider expanding internationally. With your expertise and guidance, I'm confident we can make this venture a success."His eyes gleamed with interest, a flicker of pride evident in his expression. I could almost see his ego-inflating with the promise of greater power and influence."Expanding into foreign markets is a bold move," he remarked, leaning forward slightly. "But with the right strategy and resources, it's certainly achievable."I nodded, keeping the conversation flowing smoothly. "Exactly. And that's where your role becomes crucial, Uncle Robert. I trust your judgment and experience implicitly, which is why I want you to spearhead this
The air in the office seemed to thicken when the last of my uncle, Uncle Alex left, his departure leaving a lingering sense of unease in the room. In the silence, Tony shifted uneasily in his seat, his eyes locked on the door through which my uncle had exited. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, suspicion evident in the furrow of his brow and the tight set of his jaw."Tony, is everything alright?" I inquired."What game are you playing here, Atlas?" Tony's words were sharp, his gaze piercing as he fixed me with a knowing look. "It's... it's all business, Tony," I finally let out.But Tony was not one to be easily swayed. He leaned forward, his expression intense as he pressed further, his voice low and urgent. "Atlas, I know you. I know when something is not right. Tell me the truth. What is going on?"The silence that followed was deafening, the stillness of the office suffocating me as I struggled to find the words to convey the truth that lay heavy on my heart. And then,
For the past five months, my life had been a whirlwind of chaos and no excitement as I poured every ounce of my being into establishing a company in Gramatian. Today was the day of the much-anticipated launching, and I couldn't contain my annoyance as I sat in my office, surrounded by stacks of paperwork and endless to-do lists.As I was lost in my thoughts, the door creaked open, and Uncle Robert entered with a warm smile on his face. It was a pleasant surprise to see him here, considering the tumultuous history between him and his brothers. I had expected some sort of confrontation or power struggle, but to my disbelief, none of his brothers had made any attempts on his life. It seemed that we had managed to build a brand new company from the ground up without any interference from the rest of the family.I couldn't help but wonder if I had misjudged my uncles all this time. Perhaps there was more to their relationships than meets the eye. But deep down, I knew that my suspicions we
As I stepped out of the black limousine and walked toward the entrance of the hotel, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The heavyweight of tonight’s promise to Uncle Robert hung over me like a storm cloud. Despite my effort to maintain a façade of calm and control, the knot in my stomach tightened with each step I took.When I got inside, the grand hall was a spectacle of extravagance and excitement. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the polished marble floor and the hum of conversations blended with the soft notes of a live jazz band. I moved through the crowd with practiced ease, exchanging pleasantries and engaging in small talk. My goal was to enjoy the evening but remain vigilant. The last thing I needed was a lapse in security that could jeopardize everything I’d worked for.“Tony,” I called out, catching my security chief in a quiet corner of the room. “How’s everything looking?”Tony, always the picture of professionalism, straightened his tie and gave me a reassur
My breaths came in short, ragged gasps as I struggled to stay conscious. The chaos of the grand hall was a distant roar, the screams and shouts blurring into a single, indistinguishable noise. Tony's face loomed over me, his eyes wide with concern and determination."Stay with me, Atlas," Tony repeated, his voice firm yet gentle. "The ambulance is on its way."I nodded weakly, unable to form coherent words. The pain in my chest was overwhelming, a relentless agony that threatened to pull me under. I forced myself to focus on Tony's voice, using it as an anchor to keep myself grounded in the present.As we moved through the frenzied crowd, I caught glimpses of the mayhem that had erupted. Guests were crouched behind tables, some crying, others frantically trying to find their loved ones. The elegant decor of the hall was marred by overturned chairs and shattered glass.Tony and the security team managed to navigate us to a side exit, where the cool night air hit me like a wave. It was a
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