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.”

years, I had wanted to have a child

dreamed of it, longed for it. And now, at

*Buzz.*

vibrated against the

was short,

said you’ll be fine

06:50

Seven Minutes of

68.7%

Chapter 5

second message

apologize to Ivy, I’ll come pick you up.]

laugh slipped from my lips.

hesitant. “Miss Laurent, the

me.”

me toward the examination rooms, she

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

Ivy Monroe standing behind me, her arms crossed, an unmistakable smirk playing at the corners of her

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

I said nothing.

its prey. “Do you know why you never got pregnant in

curled instinctively against my stomach, an invisible

dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. “Because I told Atlas

child.”

to slow around

“Every morning, when he handed you your vitamins, he was actually giving you birth

expecting to see devastation on my

I met her gaze, my voice eerily calm.

smirk faltered slightly, as if my lack of reaction unsettled her.

A sudden force slammed

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