Chapter 3

Through the haze of my tears, I thought I saw him.

The man who had once held me close at my father’s funeral, his arms a shelter as my world crumbled.

**Celeste, I will give you a home. Everything I have belongs to you.“*

His voice had been so steady that day, his embrace so sure, as if I had been his entire world.

What a cruel illusion.

Now, as I laid Atlas onto our bed, I no longer moved with the tenderness I once did. I didn’t take off his shoes. I didn’t press a glass of water to his lips, murmuring words of comfort.

I simply turned away.

For the first time in five years, I shut myself inside the guest room.

That night, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, replaying every memory of his love–every soft look, every whispered promise.

And wondering if any of it had ever been real.

Morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room.

I opened my eyes to find Atlas already watching me. His gaze was gentle, his expression full of quiet affection, as if

nothing had changed.

He leaned down, pressing a slow, familiar kiss to my forehead.

“Celeste, were you upset last night?” His voice was soft, laced with concern. “I’m sorry–I had too much to drink. I

promise it won’t happen again.”

same

audible, then slipped out of bed and into the bathroom. The moment the door shut behind me, I turned on the

with slow deliberation, I pressed my damp palms to my forehead, wiping

kiss.

laid out when I stepped into

this would have made me happy. Atlas always

now, after reading his diary, after seeing the truth spelled out so

06:50

Love. Seven Minutes

67.5%

Chapter 3

Because I knew now. These weren’t

keys turning in the front door made me look

and Ivy stepped inside, her white dress flowing as she moved through my home as though she belonged

sliding into a chair across

and I have a photoshoot this morning.

respond. My gaze had already locked onto something else.

A keychain.

from her fingertips–identical to the one I carried in my

must have noticed the shift in my expression because he immediately leaned in, his

closest friend,” he murmured. “It’s normal for her to have

cut short by his

just picked up a glass of soy milk. Atlas was on his feet

soft laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her

murmured, her tone teasing, affectionate. “Thank God, I got you to remind

them. Something too deep, too

with me.

in the

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