Seven Years of Love Seven Minutes of Truth

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.”

stomach. For five years, I had wanted to have a child with

it, longed for it. And now, at the worst possible

*Buzz.*

the

message was short, direct.

be fine as long as you

06:50

Love, Seven Minutes

68.7%

Chapter 5

second message

to Ivy, I’ll come pick you up.]

from my

“Miss Laurent, the doctor has scheduled

me.”

me toward the examination rooms, she

familiar voice confirmed my suspicion. “I

an unmistakable smirk playing

mused. “You’re more stubborn than I

I said nothing.

cat playing with its prey. “Do

against my stomach, an invisible chill creeping up my

dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. “Because I told Atlas I didn’t want you

child.”

world seemed to slow around me.

like knives carving into my skin. “Every morning, when he handed you your vitamins, he was actually giving you birth control.”

smiled sweetly, waiting, expecting to see devastation on

met her gaze, my voice

if my lack of reaction

make it. A sudden