Chapter 4

~Atlas~

After six long years, she was finally back in my life. Eliza Monroe.

I was close enough to touch her, but now, she was unconscious on a hospital bed. And my nephew put her there.

My hands curled into fists at my sides and I hated the feeling of helplessness curling through me.

“What the hell were you thinking, Eliza?” I muttered and let out a soft sigh.

This was not at all how I thought our reunion would go. It had been bad enough to see her on the street two days ago. She had looked so pale that I thought I had lost her forever.

I never wanted to feel that way again. It reminded me too much of the day she walked out of my life without any explanation.

All I knew then was that she had just decided to end things with me for no reason, just to meet up with my nephew. I had been hurt and angry at her betrayal, until I found out the truth.

But no matter how hard I tried, she never heard my side of the story. Then, she married him.

I should have hated her for doing this to me, us, and I did.

Which was why it didn’t make any sense for me to be here now, watching her sleep, her body marked by the bruises that Daniel had put on her.

Neither did I understand why there was a slight ache in my chest each time I remembered the little stick I had seen beside her on the pavement two days ago.

I gritted my teeth and tried not to think about how lovely it would be to lay my hands on Daniel. These feelings were useless and mere weaknesses.

I couldn’t forget my plan or dare leave myself open for Eliza to cut through again. That would be the ultimate foolishness.

As if my thoughts summoned her, Eliza shifted on the bed, and her eyes slowly blinked open.

“Atlas,” she croaked, and I was at her side in an instant.

I found myself placing a palm on her forehead and sighing in relief when I realised that her fever had broken. She had been burning hot only a few hours ago, but it seemed that had passed.

“Water,” she said hoarsely, and I got up to grab a cup for her from the dispenser in the corner of the room.

“Here,” I said gruffly, cradling her head and holding the cup up to her mouth as she slurped.

She sighed and dropped back on the bed when she was done. I took out my handkerchief to lightly dab at the water that had trickled down the side of her mouth.

Seeing her wince when I brushed against a bruise on her lips brought me back to earth. What the hell am I even doing?

I retreated to a safe distance and glared down at her. “Confronting Daniel was a foolish idea,” I ground out as I tucked my handkerchief back in my pocket.

But there was no response from Eliza. I frowned and paused to look at her. What I saw made me blink.

Eliza had always been a spitfire, with an arsenal of sharp responses. Her spirit was one of the things that drew me to her. Even after her loss, I had still seen a glimpse of it when she was at my place.

However, now, there was no hint of any spark or life in her green eyes. They looked flat and tired, like she was simply done.

Something that felt like anger rallied inside me at the sight of her looking so broken and defeated.

No, I could never accept that. I needed her to return to normal because I intended to be the one to snuff that spirit out of her. Not Daniel, or anyone else.

Me! Only me!

I forced a smirk on my face and took a few steps closer to her. “Don’t tell me you have given up so quickly,” I sneered.

Eliza’s head shot up and she glared balefully at me. Although she stubbornly remained silent, satisfaction coiled in my chest.

Yes, that was exactly what I wanted to see. I thought as her green depths smouldered with resentment. Good!

“The Eliza I know would never let anyone walk all over her like this,” I pushed, and the smoulder burst into fire.

“The Eliza you know is dead and gone,” she fired back before crossing her hands on her chest.

My smirk deepened as I snorted. “If that’s what you tell yourself, fine.”

“My offer still stands, though. Marry me and I will get you justice.”

Despite my outward nonchalance, my heart slammed against my ribcage as I waited for her response. Eliza’s face shifted between a mix of emotions, fear, distrust, and anger, before finally settling on resolve.

I thrust my hands into my pockets to hide the involuntary fists I had just formed. There was no convincing her.

“I see,” I said shortly, drawing up to my full height. “I’ll respect your choice then.”

“Just din’t come crawling back to me when Daniel decides he is not done with you,” I couldn’t resist adding the last parting shot as I turned and walked away to the door.

I was reaching for the handle when Eliza’s voice rang out. “Wait!”

A smile formed on my face even as I kept my back to her. “What?” I asked mildly, trying to keep my excitement out of my voice.

“A-are you really going to do this for me, with no strings attached?” she asked in a quiet voice, but I could still hear a slight, underlying tremble.

I shifted to face her, my face carefully wiped of all emotions. “Of course.” The lie dropped smoothly from my lips and I couldn’t muster the slightest ounce of regret.

There was no way I would do this without my own aim. And if she really believed that, she only had herself to blame.

A small smile lifted the corner of Eliza’s lips as her chest moved in a relieved sigh. “Okay.”

I tilted my head. “Okay, what?” I prodded, barely able to hold in my delight.

Eliza rolled her eyes and said, “Fine, I accept your help.”

I let out a quiet breath of relief, walked back to her side, and stretched out my hand to her. She stared at it for a second before cautiously reaching out with hers.

I grasped her slender hand in a firm handshake. “We have a deal.”

This was perfect! I thought with a dark smile.

The first step in my plan to ruin you, Eliza, is to make you Mrs West.