Lahat ng Kabanata ng After His Eyes Opened: Kabanata 101 - Kabanata 110

“We gathered here today to bid farewell to our beloved, Juli—”“Hold on, priest,” I said, walking toward the coffin. “How can you bid goodbye to someone who is not even there?” I yelped as someone grabbed my arm. My eyes widened when I realized it was Atlas. “What is the meaning of this?” he gritted. “Until now, I have tolerated everything because you saved my father but this? How dare you insult Julia’s memories!”“Stop saying it like I’m dead, I’m warning you, Atlas!”He brushed past me and grabbed a photo, and he put it beside my side. “Does she look like you? Does she look anything like you?”“I had plastic surgery, Atlas!”He froze, stared for a few seconds before chuckling. “You know that only happens in Soap operas, right? You must have watched too many movies in your golden mansion, Bella,” He stepped closer and my heart stopped. “But this is reality and here, they are useless!”My eyes stung with fresh tears but I swallowed the sob in my throat, tightening my fist. I reminde

“Is this your version of helping?!” Atlas snapped, standing up. “All the files are soaked now, happy?”“The files wouldn’t be soaked if you let me work!”“I was sipping Coffee, Bella, how is that disturbing your work?”“You were making disgusting slurping sounds!” I defended, glaring at him. “Of course I was irritated!” I crossed my arms, managing to pout. It was my fault but why should I admit it? “Do you think I have nothing else to do than chase you around? Really?”“I mean, I could just leave,” I taunted, grabbing my things. “You’ve stressed me enough!” “If you leave, I’ll report you to HR,” Atlas retorted and I froze, tears leaking from my eyes. Goosebumps ran over my skin as I replayed this exact scene. Atlas said the words and my response back then was — “You are HR!” The world paused for us to lock eyes. I stepped forward. “Right?” My voice cracked. Atlas averted his gaze. He glanced around the office and I watched as he blinked furiously, as if drying his glossy eyes.

Atlas was already walking away before I could find my voice. I tried to follow him but a few guards held me back. Tears blinded my vision and I crumbled to the ground, a sob building at the back of my throat. “Mom,” Louis crouched in front of me. “We’ll make him realize it’s you, we promise.”“Papa’s just hurting because he thinks Mommy is dead, but you can’t give up now.”“Yes, mommy. We can find another way, I—”I glanced at them, my children, my pride. This wasn’t just about me. It was for them too. Atlas was blinded by grief, he mourned me for five years and all of a sudden, a woman appears claiming to be me. Worse, she has a different face — of course, he’s angry, I’d react the same way. I had to pacify his anger. My children deserved both parents, not a broken one. I got up and dusted my clothes. It was still raining outside. Atlas was in the rain. I recalled how he’d helped me earlier. He might not realize it, but we were drawn to each other. He couldn’t bear to see me in

“Is that what I think it is?” Atlas had stopped baking now, his hand rested on his lip while he raised an eyebrow. From this angle, he looked nothing like the ruthless billionaire Miami whispered about. I tilted my head, gesturing at the cake.Atlas stepped closer as everyone held their breaths, only to knock over the pan of flour. Silence loomed over us for a few seconds before I blinked, reaching to wipe it off his face. Atlas caught my wrist, and for the first time, his grip on it didn’t tighten. “Where did you get the recipe for this cake?”“I’ve made this cake so many times over the years, Atlas. I created the recipe,”Atlas’ grip on me loosened and his eyes flickered with an emotion I did not recognise. For a few seconds, our eyes locked and nothing else mattered. “It’s really me,” I whispered, reaching out.“No,” he shook his head. “Julia is dead, she…”“Mommy’s not dead!” Lily said, stepping between us. My heart ached as I wiped the flour from his face. “Whenever I baked

“All your belongings have arrived, from Volkan mansion, Madame,” The maids bowed as I strolled past them. “You still have time to reject this marriage, Bella,” Rade said and I turned to stare at him. I was standing in the middle of the Hollen’s vast estate, a grand waterfall sat at the center and my gaze lingered on it. Rade sighed, “I’ll speak to Atlas and—” “No one will speak to Atlas” I didn't turn, not even when my Father stepped in front of me.“If he truly loves you, he will come for you, that’s what you said, right? Look!” He gestured around. “You have been at home for twenty-four hours, the doorbell hasn’t rung once and neither has your phone, Bella,” My father pressed a kiss to my forehead, holding me close. “It’s not too late to focus on your future, please. Stop staying frozen, waiting for someone who’s in the sun.” “Even the sun gives way for the moon father,” I gestured at the sky, it was almost midnight. “It is a matter of time, I want to be alone,” I said. “Pleas