Break Her

[Atlas’ POV]

I stare into Avery’s hazel eyes, trying to figure out what in the world was going on in her head. After that show of pride of hers yesterday, why was she back here? She could say that was a joke, but I knew better, and from her pinched expression and the dark circles under her eyes, it was easy enough to tell that something more was going on here.

"Well?" I push as she continues to remain stubbornly quiet. "If you tell me the truth, I may consider letting you stay. Otherwise, you can get the hell out of here."

I knew that being harsh wouldn’t get her to budge, but I was frustrated.

Since she stormed out of my office yesterday, I couldn’t get her look of betrayal and pain out of my head. It was maddening considering the fact that there was nothing between us, but I knew that I was at fault in some ways since I decided to remain neutral in whatever the hell was going on between her and my son.

"I need money," she sighs, beginning to deflate. "Is that a good enough reason?"