When I woke up, I felt like someone had pulled me from a faraway place. Atlas’s handsome face looked back at me. Startled, I tried to sit up but felt a sharp pain in my wounds. "Why the rush?" His voice sounded hoarse.We were still in the car, but the golden sun was setting on the horizon.Urgently, I exclaimed, "What time is it? Damn it, I need to pick up my daughter!""I used your phone to text your friend, asking her to pick her up for you," he stated. "Get up, will you? My legs are getting numb."Blushing, I realized I had been sleeping on his lap the whole time. He hadn't stirred or woken me up."Um... How long did I sleep?" I asked shyly, quickly putting some distance between us."Over two hours. Let’s go!" I quickly got out of the car. We had arrived at the same resort he had taken me to before, but it seemed less crowded this time. There were no other guests in sight. Taking a few quick steps to catch up with him, I asked, "What kind of place is this?""What's the

I wanted to leave this place. Caution was key, and I wondered if I'd been too vulnerable around him.Atlas paused and looked at me. "What's the matter? Am I that scary to you?"My face was flushed as I asked, "Who said I'm scared?"Although I put on a tough face, I was in shambles."If you were more cautious around that scumbag, you wouldn't be in this state!" He said, "Don't worry. I won't do anything you're uncomfortable with. Unless you want me to..."Atlas remained indifferent to my pleading eyes."Lie down! You'll feel better soon." His tone softened. "Do you want me to make you?"There was no escaping this ordeal. Good intentions had led me into an awkward spot, and I felt helpless.As if under a spell, I reclined and allowed him to unbutton my shirt. He was precise and gentle when applying the ointment, but my muscles were tense.He murmured, "Relax. Next time, if you can't win, run. It's not shameful. Take a deep breath and strike hard to ensure your safety. A strong c

I reveled in the sensations of being needed and caressed. These feelings had been repressed for too long, and I kissed him passionately.His words echoed in my mind. “I’ll have you right here. That way, you won’t have any more excuses.”It made me want to let go of my inhibitions and follow my heart.Images of Matthew and Melanie together fueled my desire for revenge and competition. I wanted it all and was determined to make it even better than anything they’d ever had.Atlas hugged me and cradled my back, afraid to hurt me. Why should I refuse him? He made me forget my troubles.I discovered that caresses could ease the pain. The wounds on my body no longer hurt. Instead, there was an unprecedented longing, a yearning for love.He must have sensed my desire. His hazy eyes looked at my face, and he murmured in my ear, “Chlo, is this okay? Will...”I covered his lips, blocking the words he wanted to say. I knew what he was worried about.My response ignited him.It was like fl

I suddenly realized what I wanted to say might dampen the mood. We had just been swept up in a whirlwind of passion, and it would be a real buzzkill.I changed the subject. "The benefits at your company seem amazing. I'd consider working for you guys if I didn't have my own business."He looked at me calmly and asked, "Why is that?""Seeing how carefree your assistants are, it's clear your company values its employees." My reason sounded forced.He listened to my words with a faint smile on his lips. Atlas ate elegantly as I rushed through my food. It might be because I hadn't had a decent meal in days. I didn't need to act all prim and proper in front of him.After we finished, I insisted on heading back. He reluctantly got up. "I'll walk you out!"In the car, he seemed lost in thought. I gazed out the open window, the cool breeze waking me up. What had just happened felt like a dream. There were no regrets, but a hint of awkwardness lingered.I started to understand Matthe

Leaving the courthouse felt liberating. Before I could say goodbye to Adrian, Matthew burst out. He rushed down the steps toward where I was standing.Everyone instinctively shielded me in the middle.He appeared sad and resentful. Some of his friends held him back. He stared at me with sorrow. "Hon…" He couldn't say it.My heart dropped as well."Chlo, don't go... Please, Chlo, give me a chance. I just want to talk to you for a few minutes!" He tried to get away from the people holding him, and his eyes begged me. "Chlo, give me another chance to talk to you! Even if these are our parting words, honey, we still haven’t said a lot. I'm begging you!""Don't call me that. You've lost that privilege. Besides, I don't believe there's anything left for us to discuss," I replied."No, Chlo, there's something I need to say. Please, don't hold me back! What's going on?" Matthew begged, looking at me and the surrounding crowd.I asked them to release him. "Go ahead."He glanced at t

Matthew froze when he heard my words. His eyes showed unwillingness that only I understood.Melanie grabbed his arm and yelled, “Chloe, you’re seducing him in public now! You’re shameless!”I glared at her, then turned to Matthew, saying, “I have some departing words for you. One day, you’ll realize how horrible, disloyal, and unrighteous you are for abandoning your wife and daughter.“We’re divorced now, so stop being deluded. We’ll go our separate ways, and I hope we never cross paths again.” I turned away but noticed Matthew’s eyes reddening.I thanked Adrian and then got into the car I had bought with my mom, Ivanna, and Ava. I saw Matthew through the rearview mirror, watching me leave.I went to the hospital to fetch my dad. That evening, we celebrated my divorce with Ivanna, and she asked me if I wanted to invite Atlas. Although I rejected her request, she teased me, “I can tell he’s interested in you.”“You’re being ridiculous. I just got divorced.” I rolled my eyes, and s

It was Ryan Phillips, my senior at university. Coincidentally, we grew up in the same town. I heard he had ventured abroad. Besides that, I hadn’t received any news from him for many years.I instructed Carol Adams, my assistant, to call him for an interview. Carol was a veteran employee at Tanum Corporation. Although she didn’t have a higher education, she possessed impressive business skills and memory.She chose to stay with the company because of a conflict with Melanie. Hence, I promoted Carol to be my assistant.When I met Ryan, I could tell he knew I owned Tanum Corporation. While delighted by the reunion, I didn’t beat around the bush, “You know it’s me, right?”He responded with a faint smile, saying, "I do."“My company is modest in scale and might not align with your qualifications and experience,” I stated, “I must also clarify our salary may not meet the standards you’ve grown accustomed to in larger corporations.”He replied straightforwardly, “Let’s make a deal. Yo

On my way to Solaris, I looked out the plane window at the clouds. Suddenly, I thought of an unexpected person. I hadn’t seen or heard from Atlas since the divorce proceedings concluded. Although he hadn’t called, I somehow felt disappointed.Still, I kept my distance, not wanting to get too close to him. Despite my efforts, I couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t called or even texted me. Strangely, I saw a missed call from him after turning my phone on when the plane landed.My mind raced, but I returned the call after some hesitation. Atlas asked, “Where are you?”"I just landed in Solaris," I replied."Alone?""Yeah.""All right, stay safe." His tone was distant, and he didn't seem interested in continuing the conversation. "I'll hang up now."I was frustrated. Atlas called me, yet he didn’t intend to say much. I was about to ask why he called, but he had already hung up. I sighed and pocketed my phone, feeling conflicted.When I met Fred this time, he seemed much better.

I thought I was dreaming, so I palmed my forehead before laying back down. However, the knocking continued, and I tensed up, asking, “Who is it?!”A voice from outside replied, "It's me!"I couldn’t believe it. My drowsiness disappeared as the person repeated, “Open the door, Chloe. It’s me.”I jumped out of bed and stumbled to the door. My heart raced as I mumbled, “That voice sounds like… How’s that possible?”I peeked through the peephole and saw a tall figure standing in the dimly lit corridor. My heart skipped a beat, and I trembled before opening the door. I saw a weary-looking Atlas standing before me with a faint smile.I stared at him in disbelief, fearing he would disappear if I blinked. I asked shakily, “H-How’d you get here?”I wanted to throw myself into his arms but dared not. He looked at me and pursed his lips, looking somewhat tired. “I knew you were here, so I had to come. Aren’t you glad to see me?”Then, he put his arm around my shoulder and said, "Let me in.

We woke up close to noon the following day, and I felt Atlas’s arms wrapped around me. I doubted he would let go if Fred didn’t call me.I told Atlas I still had work to do and had to return to Foswood in the evening. He released me and got up, offering to have lunch with me.My relationship with Atlas made me feel conflicted. I wondered what we were to each other. It felt like the puzzle pieces just fit. He hadn’t made commitments, and there were no declarations of love.Whenever I saw him, I didn’t know how to refuse him. For some reason, I felt comfortable being with him. He didn't ask for my consent again and simply took action. So, I dared not ask him about the nature of our relationship.It was already late at night when I reached Foswood. I was so exhausted that I could barely speak. My mom looked at me with a heavy heart and shook her head, saying, “Chlo, why are you pushing yourself so hard?“Do you want to come home with your dad and me? Life is short, so isn’t comfort a