Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Atlass vision cleared , the haze of rage dissipating , leaving behind nothing but a cold , steely resolve .
Take her to the police .
His voice was devoid of emotion , final .
A sharp gasp filled the air as Ivy struggled to fill her lungs with oxygen , her body wracked with violent coughs .
She clutched at her throat , her breath hitching as she stared at him in disbelief , horror mingling with desperation .
No … you cant do this to me, she choked out , her voice breaking .
Atlas , you love me ! Her eyes glistened with hysteria .
You promised you said youd always protect me ! Atlas didnt spare her a second glance .
With a curt wave of his hand , his security team moved in , grabbing Ivy as she thrashed in their hold , her screams echoing through the vast estate .
The moment the door slammed shut , the house was plunged into an eerie stillness .
Atlas inhaled sharply , forcing his racing heart to steady .
Still no sign of Celeste ? The answer came quickly .
No , sir .
Theres been no trace of her .
His throat tightened .
Without another word , he turned and ascended the stairs , his footsteps heavy as he entered our bedroom .
The bed was untouched , the sheets still faintly carrying my scent .
Atlas lowered himself onto the mattress , burying his face into the pillows as if he could will me back into existence .
His fingers brushed against a single long strand of hair left behind on the fabric .
Carefully , he picked it up , cradling it against his chest .
A breath trembled from his lips .
And for the first time in years , a single tear slid silently down his face .
Celeste … where are you ? He lay on my pillow , staring at the ceiling , the past rushing back with cruel clarity .
The way I had looked at him on those late nights , my gaze hazy with love .
19.00 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 39.1 % Chapter 11 The way I had whispered his name , curled up against his chest , believing that I was safe in his arms .
His body jolted upright as a sharp , searing pain shot through his chest .
He gasped for air , but it felt like a weight was pressing down on him , suffocating him .
He had to get out .
Atlas bolted down the stairs , shoving open the front door as he stumbled outside , the cold night air hitting his burning skin .
But it didnt help .
Every shadow , every scent , every lingering memory was like a blade against his already torn apart soul .
He staggered toward the driveway , his body moving on instinct , but the crushing grief wouldnt let him go .
Atlas collapsed onto the steps of the grand entrance , his hands gripping his hair , his eyes vacant .
The rain began to fall .
Soft at first , then heavier , until it was a downpour .

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Yet he didnt move .
The icy water seeped into his clothes , his skin , his bones , but the numbness had already settled in long before the rain had .
His body swayed , exhaustion dragging him under .
Then , everything went black .
On the other side of the world .
The midday sun beat down relentlessly , beads of sweat trickling down my skin as I pressed forward , my boots digging into the rocky path .
I was nearly there .
My breath was ragged , my limbs heavy , but as I lifted my gaze , my heart swelled .
The mountain peak stood just ahead , towering against the endless blue sky .
A weary smile tugged at my lips .
With one last push , I stepped onto the summit .
The world unfolded beneath me a breathtaking expanse of valleys and rivers , rolling hills and 39 30 % Chapter 11 endless horizons .
I threw my arms open , letting the wind rush past me , carrying away the last remnants of my old self .
This had been my fathers dream to see the world , to stand atop mountains , to embrace the vastness of the earth .
But he never got the chance .
So now , I would do it for him .
For us .
For five years , I had dreamed of traveling .
Of seeing more than just the walls of that estate , more than just the same city I had been confined to .
But every time , Atlas had found a reason to stop me .
And so , year after year , I had stayed .
For five years , the only sight I had truly seen was him .
But not anymore .
From now on , my world would be filled with landscapes , oceans , stars everything I had once been denied .
I lifted my camera , capturing the beauty in front of me , the moment frozen in time .
And then , with a small , determined breath , I uploaded it online .
A reminder that freedom was always within reach .
Mr.
Whitmore ! Weve found her .
Someone posted a photo of her from the mountain summit in Instagram .
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