**CALISTA**I kept my hands steady as I dressed, as I walked, as I left—but somewhere between the hospital doors and the waiting car, something inside me stopped trying to survive.There was nothing much to live for, after all. The pain in my stomach had dropped to a low throb, thanks to the painkillers that I got from a grumbling Dr Sienna. If this was to be my life, my second chance, then I was not sure that I wanted it. But I was alive, leaving me no choice but to breathe, to pretend, to fight. I sat in the backseat of the car, breathing in the leather and citrus scent as my driver pulled out of the driveway. Merrick's car was gone, but Atlas remained, and so did he. He emerged from the doors, eyes fixed on the retreating car, as if he could make out my face in the dark of the night.I let down the window and tilted my head to the wind, eyes roaming over the streets as we went. The doctor's words filtered through my ears again, and I winced at the finality of the numbers. Ei
Last Updated : 2026-04-06 Read more