Chapter 5

Atlas glared at me, his anger burning hot and unwavering.

But he didn’t see the redness blooming across my cheek, the sharp sting left behind by Ivy’s slap.

I lifted my head, meeting his gaze with a calm, almost eerie stillness.

“The one who should be apologizing isn’t me,” I said quietly. “It’s Ivy,”

His brows furrowed, irritation flickering in his eyes, but I continued before he could interrupt.

“She brought up my father, Atlas. Don’t you think you owe me an apology for what happened back then?”

For a split second, something flickered across his face–something unreadable. Then it was gone.

“If it weren’t for me, your father would have died even sooner,” he said, his voice cold with certainty. “Celeste, I promised your father I’d take care of you for the rest of my life. But that promise came with a condition–you wouldn’t hurt Ivy.”

I stared at him, and then laughed. A quiet, hollow sound. How foolish of me to think, even for a moment, that he

might finally see me.

Just as the edges of my vision darkened, the room tilted violently, and then–nothing.

When I woke up, the sterile scent of disinfectant filled my nose. A nurse stood by my bedside, gently removing the

IV from my arm.

“Congratulations,” she said with a kind smile. “You’re pregnant.”

My breath caught.

“You need to be extra careful,” she continued. “Your body is weak–you can’t afford too much stress. Try to rest, eat well, and keep your emotions stable.”

instinctively drifted to my stomach. For five years, I had wanted to have a child

now, at the worst

*Buzz.*

the hospital sheets: Atlas.

message was short,

said you’ll be fine as long as you

06:50

of Love, Seven Minutes of Truth

68.7%

Chapter 5

message followed.

apologize to Ivy, I’ll come pick you

from my lips. I turned

nurse returned, her expression hesitant. “Miss Laurent, the doctor has scheduled another test.

me.”

instead of leading me toward the

wrong. A familiar voice confirmed my suspicion. “I heard you’re pregnant.”

unmistakable smirk playing at the

you, Celeste,” she mused. “You’re more stubborn than I

I said nothing.

with its prey. “Do you know why you never got

my stomach, an invisible chill creeping up my spine.

in, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. “Because I told Atlas I didn’t want you to

child.”

world seemed to

like knives carving into my skin. “Every morning, when he handed you your

waiting, expecting to see devastation on my face.

satisfaction. I met her

my lack of reaction unsettled

the door, but I didn’t make it. A sudden force slammed into my back.

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