As my mother and Lauren exited the room, Atlas sat beside me. He seemed to be carefully choosing his words.

Inside, I felt conflicted, a sense of injustice simmering in a corner of my heart. Seeing Stella, still radiant and carefree didn't sit right with me.

From the moment this woman entered my view, I could sense her subtle schemes against me. Even that first dinner together felt calculated. How could I possibly stay calm?

Besides that, I had a persistent feeling of being trapped, which was probably connected to her. Otherwise, Atlas wouldn't have let the matter rest without investigating.

As soon as Atlas sat down, he held my hand.

"Don't let Stella bother you. I know what's going on."

"How exactly did you know?" I spoke candidly. We had reached a point where there was no need to pretend nothing had happened.

Atlas's intense gaze remained fixed on my face, his attractive features distracting me for a moment. I didn't want to press him further. I understood that his perspectiv