Chapter 12

Atlas took the tablet from his assistant, his fingers tightening around the edges as the screen flickered to life.

Even through the digital display, my presence struck him like a tidal wave.

His pulse pounded as he scrolled through the images I had taken–breathtaking landscapes, golden sunrises, endless oceans stretching far beyond the horizon.

Every shot was a masterpiece. Not just in composition, not just in color, but in something deeper.

Each frame held freedom.

Atlas stared at a particular photo–one of a cliff’s edge, the world vast and infinite beyond it.

For a long moment, he didn’t speak.

He didn’t know if he was remembering the promise he once made–to take me around the world. Or if he was

realizing just how far I had already gone without him.

His throat tightened. “Book me the next flight to A–Country,” he ordered, his voice clipped, urgent. “And keep tracking her location. I want updates every hour.”

Atlas arrived at the hotel where I was. He stood outside the door, his hand raised, fingers curled into a hesitant fist.

He couldn’t knock. His entire body was rigid, every breath he took uneven.

floor

the night, through the long hours

sound of footsteps broke his trance.

staff member had come

lifted his head, his muscles stiff from staying in the

the door. “Left

someone had dumped ice water over

his feet, swaying slightly,

address his assistant provided led him to a public

streets, his heart hammering, his

to find me. If he was just a second too late–if I disappeared from his sight again–he didn’t know if he’d

22:34

Years of Love,

72.9%

Chapter 12

see me again.

Then–his footsteps faltered.

her back to him, sunlight dancing off the lens of my camera as I reached up to feed the

pigeons.

as a bird flapped too close, my face tilting

moment, Atlas forgot how to breathe.

in the breeze, my smile so bright it was almost

kind of smile I had never worn when I was with

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