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Chapter_96
Coincidental
My reaction took Atlas completely by surprise. Ivanna quickly rushed over to comfort my crying daughter, her concerned eyes flicking between Atlas and me. She pulled me away, her arms steadying me as I stumbled through the shock and nausea.
We reached Ivanna’s place, where I couldn’t hold back the bile that had accumulated in my stomach. There was nothing to expel but bile, leaving a bitter taste lingering in my mouth.
Aka stood beside me, her innocent eyes wide with worry. “Mommy, go find Daddy,” she pleaded, her voice quivering with confusion.
I forced a smile, despite the tears in my own eyes. “Be a good girl, okay? Mommy will always be by your side,” I reassured her. But deep down, I couldn’t bear to tell her the truth—she might never see her father again.
Once I settled down, my hands still shaking, I called Adrian. I needed answers, and I had questions that couldn’t wait any longer.
Then, turning to Ivanna, I asked her for help. She was the only one I could truly trust at that moment. She was a constant, always there when I needed her. She took my bag from me, carrying it without a word, and when I checked, I realized she had packed all my essentials. It was thoughtful—practical even—but in that moment, it felt like a small comfort against everything that had happened.
“I want to go home,” I said quietly, startling her with the sudden change in tone.
“Why would you want to do that?” she asked, confusion flashing across her face.
I hesitated for a moment. “I meant my home here,” I clarified, hoping she would understand.
We left Ivanna’s apartment, and I nearly stumbled in surprise when I saw Atlas standing next to his car, waiting as though he had known we would leave. He looked at me, and I paused, unsure of how to proceed. Finally, I handed Ava to Ivanna, who took her without hesitation and headed toward my apartment.
I stood before Atlas, in my tattered dress, feeling exposed in ways that had nothing to do with my clothing. We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before I spoke.
“Thank you, but you should go now.” The words came out heavier than I intended.
He didn’t argue, understanding the weight behind my words. Instead, he looked at me with an intensity that almost made my breath catch.
“If you’re hurt, I apologize,” he said, his tone soft but heavy with meaning.
I wondered if he truly understood what he had done. Did he think an apology could somehow fix everything? He had shattered the dignity I had painstakingly tried to maintain.
I scoffed, my voice laced with bitterness. “Can your apology erase my humiliation? What else can I do? What about my daughter and my family?”
Atlas smirked, his expression cruel. “What happened was a fact. So, will you let him continue manipulating you, or will you keep deceiving yourself? Can you still endure facing a man like him? You surprise me, Ms. Chloe.”
His words hit harder than I expected. Although I had considered those very questions a thousand times over, hearing him voice them so bluntly left me feeling exposed. The shame crept up my spine like a cold hand.
I stared at him in silence, unsure of how to respond. His gaze was unwavering, meeting mine without hesitation.
And then, suddenly, he stepped forward, his hand gently caressing my face. His touch was tender, but there was an intensity to it that made my heart race.
He pulled me into his embrace, his warmth a stark contrast to the coldness I felt inside. “Just call me if you need anything,” he said softly.
I pulled away, my chest tight with conflicting emotions. “That won’t be necessary. It’s my own business, and you’ve already done enough. I’ll handle it myself. I don’t want to drag you into unnecessary trouble.”
He watched me, an unreadable emotion in his eyes. Then, with a smile, he pinched my cheek gently. “I’ll always be here for you,” he said, his words surprisingly tender.
I nodded, though a part of me felt that this whole situation was a coincidence. How had he known that Lauren would show up at the exact right moment, exposing Matthew for what he truly was? I couldn’t help but wonder if Atlas had played a part in orchestrating it all.
With a final glance, I stepped away from him, leaving the warmth of his embrace behind. “Please leave,” I said, my voice firm.
Without another word, I turned and headed toward the apartment that was now my only refuge. There was no turning back now. I couldn’t predict what would happen next, but I knew I couldn’t afford to retreat anymore.