Chapter 213

Unintentional Information was utterly shocked by what I saw in the surveillance footage. There was no mistaking it–her smile was gloating This revelation of her smile sent shivers down my spine. What was her true motive? Did she visit me just to revel in my misery?

I started to wonder if she was behind the attack. If Celine had a hand in this, Stella would be the first one to know.

No, no, no! It couldn’t be. She couldn’t possibly want to take my life, would she?

I sat on the bed in a daze with my head in my hands, not noticing when Atlas had returned. I didn’t hear him as he came to my room.

Seeing my troubled expression, he rushed to me and touched my shoulder. I screamed and pushed him away frantically.

‘Chlo, it’s me!”

Atlas quickly embraced me, enveloping me in his familiar scent. Only then did I relax, realizing it was him who had returned.

I looked at him, my fear slowly fading away. He looked concerned. “Don’t be scared. What happened?

Hm?

I let out a sigh and shook my head faintly. I didn’t want to tell him about this. However, something compelled me to ask, “Did you love Annalise?”

Atlas suddenly froze, staring at me in bewilderment. “Who told you? Celine or Stella?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I replied. “I just want to know. Does she really look similar to me?”

1 looked at him, waiting for his answer. Atlas’s expression was somewhat wooden. “Not really!”

His response felt evasive, and I lowered my head, deciding not to press further.

He lifted my chin. “Chloe, no matter what anyone tells you, I hope you’ll believe only me!”

Our eyes locked. I found comfort in his eyes, and eventually I relented. I decided to trust only him.

Deep down, doubts still lingered. I wanted to know the extent of his love for Annalise and if I was just a substitute for his unrequited love. Would he still be with me if I didn’t resemble her? I knew, deep down, that it was impossible.

brought Ava home. She rushed into my room, climbed onto the bed, and carefully examined my red face. “Mommy, does it hurt?”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I hugged her tightly. I shook my head and said, “It doesn’t hurt, sweetheart. Mommy just wasn’t careful during work and got a scratch.”

“What scratched you?” She gave me a serious look, her eyes capturing my heart.

It was some dry grass. You have to be careful, okay? Don’t play in the grass!”

“Okay. Mommy!” She nodded earnestly, but her questions were never–ending.

Finally, she seemed relieved, gazing at Atlas with admiration.

y and then retum In the evening, after I had called my mother, I decided to stay until after Atlas’s birthday to my small town to bring my parents back. Having them by my side was the only way I’d feel at ease.

I stayed home for the next two days and focused on tidying up the house. I changed all the bedding, and it felt like I had returned to the old days, just a homely woman waiting for her beloved to come home from work.

In the evening, I would carefully prepare dinner and set the table, anticipating Atlas’s return with Ava. It gave me some tranquility.

Deep down, I knew Atlas couldn’t be here as often once I brought my parents back. A faint melancholy settled over me, and I couldn’t help but wonder if we’d grow further apart.