Chapter 13 The air was filled with the soft cooing of pigeons , their wings fluttering against the bright blue sky .
Childrens laughter rang through the square , pure and unburdened , a stark contrast to the silence stretching between us .
For a long time , I didnt speak .
Then , finally , I turned to Atlas .
You dont deserve to stay by my side , Atlas , I said .
Nothing you have belongs to me .
It belongs to Ivy .
Wasnt that what you intended all along ? His face stiffened , but I didnt stop .
Ive spent years living in the illusion you created , believing every lie you fed me , I continued , my words as steady as my heartbeat .
Do you have any idea how much I hated myself when I finally saw the truth ? His fingers twitched slightly , his entire body unmoving .
I let out a slow breath , my expression unreadable .
I hated myself for loving you .
I let the words sink in , let them twist through the air like a blade cutting deep .
I hated myself for loving the man who destroyed everything I had .
Atlas flinched , barely perceptible , but I caught it .
And just like that , the last remnants of anger drained from my body .
I looked at the face I had known for twenty years .
The man who had shared my bed for five .
And suddenly there was no more hatred left in me .
Perhaps , in every life , there was a person meant to wound you so deeply that youd never be the same again .
I rose to my feet , gazing down at him .
A soft , detached smile curved my lips , but it never reached my eyes .
Atlas , I said , my voice light , almost gentle .
I will never forgive you .
The summer sun beat down on us , but he looked frozen .
I watched as his lips parted slightly , then curled into something almost pitiful .
Celeste , he 18:01 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 40.6 % Chapter 13 whispered , but I love you .
I really , truly love you .
His voice was so quiet , carried away by the wind before it ever reached me .
I lifted my camera , turning away from him , capturing the smiles of strangers the joy of those who had never known the kind of pain I had endured .
In the corner of my frame , there was only one figure hunched over on a bench , his face buried in his hands .
The only one who didnt belong .
Sis , will you take a picture for us ? A small , excited voice tugged at my sleeve .

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I turned to see a boy , no older than five , clutching a flower crown while his sister giggled beside him , reaching up to place it on his head .
A genuine smile broke across my lips for the first time in a long while .
Of course , I said , raising my camera .
The shutter clicked , freezing their innocence in time .
And just for a moment , I thought of another day , two decades ago .
A five year old Atlas had woven a tiny grass bracelet and slipped it onto my wrist , his eyes full of childish devotion as he whispered : Ill always protect you , Celeste .
I wont let anyone hurt you .
Back then , there had been no lies in his eyes only me.
A sudden warmth pressed against my back , pulling me from my thoughts .
A breath warm and painfully familiar brushed against my ear , sending an unwanted shiver through me .
Atlass arms wrapped around me tightly , almost desperately , locking me in place .
I stiffened .
His embrace was suffocating , as if he thought that if he just held me close enough , I wouldnt slip away .