[Atlasโ POV][Five Minutes Before Averyโs Arrival]I continue to stare at Tonia, trying to determine whether or not what she said is true. If that was the case, wouldnโt the lawyer who filed our divorce have told me, unless..."What did you do?" I hiss, unable to believe what Iโm hearing. "How did you convince him to go along with your ridiculous plan?""Does that matter?" Tonia asks, her large golden eyes growing larger. "What matters is that Iโve finally made a name for myself so that I can stand proudly beside you."Stand beside meโฆ Whether she had a name or not, I thought she knew that back then she could stand beside me and I would protect her. I worked so fucking hard to make a life for us, and she simply ran away."Itโs too late," I say slowly, attempting to get her to let me go. "Fourteen years," I continue. "Youโve been gone for fourteen years, and suddenly youโre back, wanting your original place beside me and in our sons lives? You abandoned us!""Iโฆ" she gasps as I yank he
[Atlasโ POV]"Why are you suddenly on her side?"Everything that was going on wasnโt making any sense. First, Tonia reappears out of nowhere when I go public with my relationship with Avery, and now my own father, the very man who opposed our relationship, is demanding that I make it work."You were the one that didnโt want us together from the very start. What has changed now?""Youโll find out soon enough," my father responds. "Until then, forget that girl youโve been screwing around with. She isnโt good for you, and I wonโt allow her to stay by your side.""And what makes you think Iโll believe your threat? You may be crazy, but you arenโt looking to be in jail for the rest of your life for murder."This was insane, and I didnโt have the patience to put up with it. I needed to get the fuck out of here and get to Avery before she decided to disappear from my life entirely.As this thought hits, a commotion breaks out outside."What the hell?" I hiss, rushing forward and yanking the
[Atlasโ POV]Pain pierces through me like a blade that threatens to cut my heart right out of my fucking chest, but I continue to move, ignoring the feeling until Iโm out on the street. Only then do I let out the tears that want to escape knowing that the woman I loved is truly gone."Fuck," I growl, ignoring the eyes that stare at me in confusion. "WHY?"Dropping to my knees, I stare up at the sky and watch as lightning flashes, matching the beginning of the storm within me."WHY HER?" I scream at the sky, knowing damn well I look like a fucking crazy person, and honestly, I felt like her. "GIVE HER BACK!"As the words leave my lips, my fists hit the ground, the skin tearing with contact. Lifting them, I hit the ground again and again while the rain began to pour and my blood starts to mix with the rivers of water that flow past."Sir," my driver, Benny, who had been waiting for me since I left for this place, announces. "Please get up; youโreโฆ""I donโt give a damn!" I roar, shoving
[Averyโs POV]I sit on the side of Aidenโs bed, taking in his flushed pink cheeks. When the morning started, he had been just fine, but now he was running a high fever and had been sent home from daycare. After a quick doctor's visit to confirm it had nothing to do with his illness from infancy, I brought him home and tucked him in, and he immediately fell asleep.Sighing, I run a hand along his head, pushing back the dark hair there as I continue to take him in.How was it possible that he was already four?Time has most certainly flown since the day I lost everything and began to rebuild my life, but in the end, I was in a much better place than that woman back then.To say that life was rough after I left the city was an understatement. From being pregnant and taking classes on interior design to kick-starting my company on my own despite Gregory's insisting that he would help,In the end, Gregory stayed with me until after I had Aiden to help me settle down in my new home. After t
[Averyโs POV]After our meal, I sit outside on the porch with Gregory, watching as Duncan heads to his car and then drives off."About time," Gregory huffs, taking a drag of his cigarette. "I thought that bastard was never going to leave.""Shouldnโt you be going too?" I counter, giving him a look.It had already gotten late, and I still had to wake up early for work. Tomorrow was a big day with an important client, and I wanted to be well rested."Didnโt you miss me while I was away?" He asks, feigning hurt. "Or was I the only one who was miserable being apart?"Frowning, I bite back my initial response, as I donโt want to ruin the light mood that is gathered around us."Iโve just got to get up early," I explain."Right," he says slowly, though he doesnโt seem happy about it. "Are you sure that youโre going to be alright with seeing her?"The her he was referring to was Tonia, since my company was assigned to working on the layout of her most recent store that was opening tomorrow.M
[Atlasโ POV]The next day, I sit at my desk, looking over the designs for The Franklin, before meeting with Miss King later. I was amazed at how quickly our meeting was scheduled, but I also appreciated the promptness of wanting to complete the project.Sighing, I sit back in my seat just as my door flies open and Dean appears with a look of urgency on his face."Atlas!" He gasps, stopping in front of my desk and panting. "Have you seen the news?""News?" I repeat, raising a brow. "No, I havenโt. And why would whether or not I had made you barge into my office like this?""This!" He continues, pulling his phone from his pocket and shoving it toward me. "Look!"Frowning, I peer down at the screen in front of me and feel my heart do a painful flip as I take in the photo that Dean wanted me to see."How?" I hiss, first taking in Gregory, who cradles a little boy in his arms, before turning my gaze to the woman that is with them. "This canโt be.""What are the chances?" Dean pushes. "She
[Averyโs POV]I stand outside of Atlasโ door, trying to calm my rapid heartbeat, when I hear the sound of talking inside.Curiosity piquing, I lean forward and wait until I can make out Atlas and Gregoryโs voices."It depends," I hear Atlas say, and I find myself wondering exactly what it is that theyโre talking about."On?" Gregory asks."Who the woman in the photo is."Shit, I didnโt need to wonder any longer what was going on between them. I had already seen the photo that was floating around the internet thanks to Duncan and a few other workers.They were bombarding me with so many questions that I left the office early for this meeting with Atlas as a distraction, but now even he was asking about it.Sighing, I try to ignore the slight bit of hope that builds within me that maybe he has an issue with it."Donโt be ridiculous," I sigh.There was no way that was the problem since he had Tonia and didnโt give two shits about me. Honestly, if he had an issue, it was most likely due t
[Atlas' POV]"He is yours."Avery's words are like a slap in the face that leaves me in utter disbelief and shock.Mineโฆ The boy that the news was claiming belonged to Gregory was mine. But not only mine. He was also Avery's. We had a child.How was this even possible? Not only was Avery alive, but she was even thriving, and she brought a little miracle with her."He's mine," I murmur, testing the words on my tongue. "The chiโฆ I mean, Aiden, he is mine.""That's right," Avery confirms while Gregory remains silent."That'sโฆ Wonderful," I manage, trying to make sense of the emotions I was trying to process. "Then we can...""Not we," Avery corrects, her voice harsh. "There is no we.""Right," I sigh. "But why exactly is that?"Now that I knew she didn't die all those years ago, I was left with the question of why she left.What happened back then made her disappear entirely, hiding not only her location but even a child."Are you really asking me that?""I am," I confirm. "I think I am
[Averyโs POV]"Congratulations, Mrs. Jennings!โ My doctor beamed, handing me a long sheet of ultrasound pictures. โYouโre pregnant!โNodding, I took in the tadpole-looking creature in the pictures that I had been handed. Although I expected that this was what was wrong with me when the nausea and dizziness started, it was still amazing to see.Atlas and I had been back together for two years, and despite our best attempts, we hadnโt managed to get pregnant. Just when I was beginning to lose hope, here I was, pregnant.โThank you,โ I beam, hopping off the examination table.โOf course, be sure to give this to whatever pharmacy you use.โSmiling, I take the prescription for a prenatal from him and then head out. After dropping off the prescription, I head to the store to buy a few things before heading home.When I arrive, Atlas and Aiden still havenโt arrived, giving me the perfect opportunity to set up my surprise for them. By the time Iโm finished, both appear, and before I can even
[Atlasโ POV]The feeling of an empty space beside me jolts me awake as irrational thoughts begin to overcome me, each worse than the other. Since a week before mine and Averyโs wedding, nightmares of her disappearing on me again began to haunt me, and even now that we were married and even on our honeymoon, the fear that she would just vanish forever still left me in a panic.As I take in the large empty room around me, the fear continues to grow until it is damn near suffocating and I feel like Iโm going to throw up.Jumping up, I rush out and take in the empty living room. The sight only makes my panic grow.โAvery!โ I call, starting to move again, this time in the direction of the kitchen. โWhere are you?โThe sound of the fridge door closing comes in response to my question, and before I can stop myself, Iโm rushing forward until I see her standing at the counter with a bowl of fruit in one hand and whipped cream in the other.โAtlas?โ She asks, her eyes widening in shock. โWhatโs
[Averyโs POV]I stare at my reflection in the mirror in front of me. As I take in the woman staring back at me, I feel my heart fluttering with anticipation and my stomach churning with nerves.After a year of planning, it was finally the big day where Atlas and I would become husband and wife. I was both excited and terrified, as the thought of forever still scared me.Taking a few deep breaths, I push my long, dark hair, which is curled to perfection, over my shoulder so that my bare shoulders are exposed. Frowning, I let my gaze come to rest on a single hickey that Atlas placed on me the night before.โAsshole,โ I grumble, reaching for some foundation so that I could cover it.โLet us, miss!โ Melanie, my beautician, gasps. โToday is your day to relax and be pampered!โโIt isnโt that big of a deal,โ I point out, but allow her to take the blending sponge from me. โYouโve already done enough!โAs I speak, I take in my reflection once more, admiring the professionally placed makeup on
[Atlasโ POV]My dick throbs at Averyโs words, and I canโt control myself. Reaching out, I lift her into my arms and beeline straight for the bedroom. Once inside, I throw her on the bed and then go to the dresser to find a belt.โHands out,โ I announce after Iโve found it.Nodding, she does as I say, holding her wrists together in anticipation of being confined.โSuch a good girl,โ I murmur, wrapping the belt in place. โNow lay on your stomach.โI watch as she moves around, laying on her stomach and sticking her ass up in the air for me. Giving a giggle, she waggles it about until my hand connects with it.โOh, Atlas!โ She gasps as I smack her ass again and then slowly run my fingers over the beautiful handprint that now colors her porcelain skin. โMore.โโDo you like it when I spank you, little minx?โ I ask, smacking her ass again. โDoes it turn you on that much to be punished by me?โโIt does,โ she confirms, laying her head on the bed and closing her eyes. โI love it when you do any
[Averyโs POV]I stare on in disbelief as Atlas looks up at me with so much love and determination that it makes my heart feel full.โAvery King,โ he begins, opening the box so that I can see a diamond ring with opalesque accents. โIโve been waiting five years to ask you this, and I donโt want to wait any longer. Since the day you came crashing into my life, I couldnโt get you off my mind, and with each second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and even year, I grow more and more enamored with you.โWith each word, my heart beats faster until Iโm sure it is going to beat out of my chest, but I want to hear more.โIโve said it many times, but those five years without you were torture. Your smiling face, adorable gestures, and strength and beauty haunted my every waking moment. Never in my life have I met someone who could possess me so wholeheartedlyโmind, body, and soulโbut you managed to do it, and now I never want to let you go. I want you to be my first good morning and my last goodni
[Averyโs POV]My cheeks flush ferociously as Atlas stares at me, unspeaking. Dammit, couldnโt he say something? The silence was beginning to make me feel like I had said something wrong.โWait til I get you alone,โ he finally growls, his eyes darkening. โIโm going to..."โMr. Jennings!โSaved by the doctor. Letting out a sigh, I turn my gaze to watch him walk in with a push cart filled with the items needed to remove the bullets from Atlasโ body.โNow isnโt a good time,โ Atlas tries, but stops as I narrow my gaze on him. โFine,โ he sighs, letting out a chuckle. โBut make it quick.โFor a moment, the doctor doesnโt speak as he looks from Atlas to me and back, but when he decides that whatever was going on wasnโt too serious, he focuses on Atlas.โWhatever it was, I can wait.โAfter that, he busies himself digging into Atlasโ skin so that he could pull out each and every bullet that was lodged in him. Once he finishes, he stitches the holes closed and then wraps them.โNow,โ he begins,
[Atlasโ POV]โCanโt you go any faster?โI fix my gaze on the medic that is working on wrapping my injuries as my impatience grows more and more.โSir, Iโm going as quickly as I can,โ he responds, not bothering to hide his annoyance. โYouโve got bullets lodged in your body, and youโre demanding that we simply wrap your injuries and allow you to go.โโIf youโre just going to fuss, then I'm..."โGoing to allow these nice men to continue their job,โ Dean offers, pressing a finger against one of my wounds.Hissing in pain, I shoot him a glare but remain silent until finally the medic finishes and steps back.โThat should keep you from bleeding out,โ he says, still looking uncomfortable. โBut you really do need to come in and let us perform surgery to get those bullets out.โโOnly once Iโm sure my wife and child are okay,โ I counter, getting up and throwing on my jacket. โDean, letโs go.โNodding, Dean follows me to his awaiting car. I climb inside and wait until he slips into the driver's
[Averyโs POV]I stare at the hole where the elevator had just been while my heart hammers in my chest. It was hard to believe that I was just mere minutes away from plummetting to my death, and that left me frozen to the spot, but I knew that I couldnโt continue to stay here.โWe need to get out of here,โ I announce, tearing my gaze away and fixing it on the man and woman who had helped me. โWhat floor are we on?โโTenth,โ the man responds.Right. So we had ten more floors to reach freedom.โThen there are ten floors between us and safety,โ I continue, getting to my feet.As I stand, a hiss of pain escapes me as the cloth of my shirt pulls against the injury on my back.โOh my goodness,โ the woman gasps. โYouโre hurt!โโItโs fine,โ I assure her, trying to ignore the pain I feel. โWhich way are the stairs?โโThis way,โ the man responds.Nodding, I motion for him to lead the way as I pick up Aiden and cradle him in my arms. Despite everything that he was currently experiencing, he was a
[Atlasโ POV]The feel of nails running along my skin rouses me from the darkness that Iโm encompassed in, but something about them feels wrong. Theyโre much too sharp, and instead of feeling pleasant tingles from them, I feel nothing but disgust.Grunting, I attempt to roll away from them, but find that my wrists and ankles are bound.Prying open my eyes, I take in Tonia as she lays beside me with a look of contentment and pride on her face.โOh, did I wake you?โ She giggles, continuing to let her fingertips caress my skin. โI wanted to let you sleep a bit longer, but when I see you without a shirt, I just canโt help myself.โWithout a shirt? What the fuck was this woman talking about?Frowning, I tear my gaze away from Tonia and take in my naked torso. Further down, I can see my briefs, but theyโre the only thing that Iโm wearing.โWhere are my clothes?โ I growl, attempting to move again, only to be reminded that Iโm currently trapped. โHave you lost your fucking mind?โWas she reall