Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
God, I’m fucking this all up. Get it together, man.
“Like you’re the single most precious thing to ever come into my life.” My voice shakes, but I keep talking. I’m desperate for her to understand. “Like you’re my sole reason for existing. Like you’re the center of my whole world. Don’t you realize that I’ll do anything—and I mean anything—to keep you and our son safe?”
Her entire body trembles as she wraps her arms around herself, and I feel like the biggest asshole to ever walk the planet. All I want to do is climb in the shower with her and wrap her in my arms, to take every ounce of pain she’s feeling away. To remind her just how much I love her.
Watching Nora struggle with my actions—well-intentioned or not—is nearly unbearable. I’d take her pain and make it my own in a heartbeat if I could.
“I love you, Nora.” My voice cracks. “And I know I fucked up. But I meant what I said—I don’t regret it. Not if it means you’re alive. I know you’re probably mad at me. Hell, I deserve it. And I get it if you need space—”
“Atlas, please stop talking.” Her voice is deadly calm, almost devoid of any emotion whatsoever.
Despite my worry, my lips clamp together like they’ve been superglued, as I wait with my heart in my throat for whatever she says next.
But instead of speaking, she turns away from me, pulls the curtain closed, and finishes her shower.
I want to question her—to demand answers, for her to tell me she loves me. But I swallow down every word that tries to escape. Waiting her out is the least I can do.
I suck in a deep breath and force myself to relax back against the countertop as I exhale.
It feels like hours pass, though it’s probably only minutes before she shuts off the water. I rush forward, and grab the towel, ready to help her over the edge of the tub in case she needs it.
“You’re right,” she whispers as she steps into me. I wrap a towel around her shoulders and hold her against my chest. “You broke my trust, but I know firsthand how stupid fear can make us.”
“I’m so sorry, Pip.”
“I know.” She pulls back and looks up at me. “I need you to do something for me.”
“Anything. Name it.” I mean it too—any-fucking-thing she says, I’ll find a way to do it.
“Don’t lie to me again, Atlas. Not to me, not ever again.”
“Done.” I draw an X over my heart with my fingertip and then seal my vow with a kiss on her forehead.
She smiles up at me, and it’s the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen, even if she does look exhausted.
“Does that mean you forgive me?” I ask. I know the answer now, but I still need to hear her say it.
“Of course I do.” She rubs her cheek against my now soaking wet shirt. “I love you. Now please can we get dressed, so we can eat right when Ellis gets back? I’m exhausted and want to sleep for like a year.”
“I know, Pip.” I run one hand up her back in a soothing motion. “C’mon, I’ve got you.”
Nora sags against me before sighing and reluctantly stepping out of my embrace.
I strip off my wet shirt and splash my face and chest with cold water before dragging a towel over myself and following after her.
I glance toward the bed as I step out of the bathroom, half expecting Nora to be curled up asleep, but she’s nowhere in sight.
A sniffle sounds from the closet, and I pivot, poking my head in to check on her.
The vision that greets me causes my heart to thump painfully against my ribs. My girl, who’s fought so damn hard to overcome all of the shit she’s gone through, looks absolutely pitiful.
She’s ghostly pale, which only serves to make the bruises marring her skin stand out even more, and looks like she could fall asleep standing up.
“You need help, Pip?” I ask, making sure to keep my tone soft.
“Please,” she whispers, her voice cracking as she curls her shoulders inward, the way she used to when she wanted to make herself seem smaller.
I fucking hate this. I hate that she’s scared, that she’s hurting. But most of all, I hate that I can’t fix it, that I can’t take her pain away. Because if I could, I would. In a fucking heartbeat.
“You look miserable,” I murmur, as I riffle through the drawers for everything she needs.
“That’s because I am.” A drawn-out yawn punctuates her reply.
I set the pile of clothes on top of the dresser and then take a step closer to my girl, softly running my hands over the towel she’s still wrapped up in, making sure she’s good and dry. “C’mon, pretty girl. Let’s get you bundled up.”