Chapter 2 Atlas had never truly forgotten her .
He had merely played his part pretending to love me , pretending to be the devoted husband while his heart had always belonged to someone else .
I had underestimated just how deeply he loved Ivy .
The sharp * clatter * of a phone hitting the hardwood floor snapped me out of my thoughts .
Atlass phone had slipped from his pocket , skidding to a stop at my feet .
I bent down to pick it up , and just as my fingers brushed against the sleek screen , a message popped up .
Atlas , thank you for taking drinks for me tonight .
And the necklace … I cant accept it .
Its far too precious .
A cold wave swept through me .
The next notification was worse .
A social media post from Ivy Monroe .
Love is priceless .
Attached was a photo a breathtaking diamond necklace , radiant under the soft glow of candlelight , I recognized it instantly .
The worlds only one of its kind , recently auctioned for an astronomical price one billion dollars .
A mysterious bidder had outspent everyone to claim it .
Now , I knew who that bidder was .
And Ivy ? She had posted it for me to see .
She wanted me to know .
Just last week , Atlas had been so busy that he barely had time to eat .
He had collapsed from stomach pain and been rushed to the ER .
I had been beside myself with worry , torn between anger at his negligence and heartache that he would push himself so hard .
Yet the moment he opened his eyes , he boarded a flight to England .
I had thought it was for work .
I had been furious at him for putting his job above his own health .
But now , I knew the truth .
He hadnt gone for business .
He had gone to that auction .
My Card and My First Love 32.0 % Chapter 2 .
Even in agony, doubled over from pain , Atlas had flown across the world to bid on the rarest necklace in existence for her .
A dull ringing filled my ears .
Before I could think better of it , my fingers moved on their own , typing in his passcode .
The lock screen flashed open .
It worked .

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His passcode wasnt his own birthday , not mine , either .
It was hers Ivys birthday .
A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat , but I swallowed it down .
Atlas had always refused to let me see his phone , insisting that we needed personal space and boundaries .
Now I knew why .
The moment the home screen appeared , I was greeted with her facelvy smiling bright , radiant , breathtaking .
No wonder his expression softened every time he unlocked his phone .
My heart pounded as I tapped into his photo gallery .
Every album had the same format : Ivy , age 10.
Ivy , age 11.
Ivy , age 12.
All the way up to Ivy , age 25.
Hundreds thousands of photos .
Every stage of her life , carefully documented .
And in all of them , she was smiling .
I swiped through frantically , my breathing growing shallow .
Not a single picture of me .
Not even one of him .
Declam Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 32.2 % Chapter 2 Only her .
Just like his heart his entire being had revolved around her , from the very beginning .
My hands trembled as I clicked into his notes .
And then I saw it .
His diary .
[ 20XX ] Ivy scraped her knee today climbing a tree .
Its my fault I never shouldve planted them in the yard .
[ 20XX ] Ivy got married today .
As long as shes happy , nothing else matters .
My life exists to make her smile .
[ 20XX ] I got married today .
When I saw Ivy sitting in the crowd , I wished God , I wished that she was the one standing beside me .
I couldnt breathe .
My hands went numb , the phone slipping from my grip and landing on the car seat beside me .
At that moment , the vehicle turned into the long driveway of our estate .
The garden came into view .
Or what used to be a garden .
I stiffened .
Bare earth stretched before me , empty and lifeless .
Once , two beautiful peach trees had stood here trees Atlas had specially transported from my fathers old estate .
My father had planted them for me when I was ten .
They had been my connection to him , a reminder that he was still with me .
Then , one day , their roots had inexplicably rotted , and they had withered away .
I had been devastated .
Atlas had held me for three days and nights as I sobbed , whispering soothing words , stroking my hair , promising he would always be there .
Now , staring at the barren ground , realization clawed at my chest .
17:59 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 32.4 % Chapter 2 It had also been him .
The one thing my father had left me Atlas had destroyed it .
Tears blurred my vision as a final notification appeared on the phones screen .
A message from his assistant .
Mr.
Whitmore , as per your instructions , your will has been finalized .
All assets will be left to Miss Ivy Monroe .
We just need your signature for it to be effective .