Chapter 14 Chapter 14 I pushed him away .
And this time , I didnt stop .
I walked into the trees , disappearing into the dense forest , leaving Atlas behind .
But after a long silence , his voice hoarse and quiet drifted through the air behind me .
I understand now , Celeste .
One Month Later The salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean , mixing with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee .
I sat by the window of a small seaside café , fingers curled around the warmth of my cup , watching the waves crash against the shore .
Laughter and chatter filled the air , the easy conversations of passing tourists blending into the background until one sentence broke through the noise .
Did you hear ? The CEO of Whitmore Enterprises turned himself in ! A woman gasped .
What ? Atlas Whitmore ? Why ? He confessed to everything , someone else said , lowering their voice .
Destroyed his father in laws company with underhanded tactics , manipulated his wife , caused her fathers death , and God , the most awful part is he was the reason she lost her baby .
Jesus , someone muttered .
The woman he loved … she suffered so much because of him .
I stilled .
My grip on the cup tightened slightly before I forced myself to relax .
Lowering my gaze , I unlocked my phone .
The news was already waiting for me .
The top story the first image was of Atlas being escorted into custody , his expression unreadable .
I skimmed through the article , my eyes catching on one particular quote .
18:01 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 41.4 % Chapter 14 If it werent for Ivy , I never would have taken the blame for all these years .
I never liked her , but I could never bring myself to do something that would destroy someones life .
Nathaniels voice .
I exhaled slowly , setting my phone aside just as a waiter approached my table .
Miss Laurent , your package .
I blinked , taking the envelope from him with mild curiosity .
Sliding my fingers under the seal , I unfolded the contents .
Two documents .
The first A divorce agreement .
At the bottom , in bold , precise strokes , was Atlass signature .
The second A transfer of assets .
Everything he owned his properties , his shares , his wealth had been signed over to me .
Every last piece of his empire , handed to me without hesitation .
At the bottom of the envelope was a small folded note .
I knew the handwriting before I even opened it .
Atlass .
Celeste , dont refuse it .
I promised you I will never appear in your life again .
May you be as free as the wind , happy and safe .
I stared at the note for a long time .
Then , slowly , I smiled .
For the first time , he understood me .
I tore the letter into pieces , letting the shreds fall onto the table like the remnants of a past I no longer carried .

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Lifting my cup once more , I took a slow sip .
The coffee was rich , carrying a subtle bitterness that lingered on my tongue one that didnt overwhelm but instead invited me to savor it .
Reaching for my camera , I turned toward the horizon , capturing the endless expanse of the ocean , the seagulls circling above , the small , stubborn flowers growing between the cracks of the rocks .
With a quiet sense of finality , I post this on my Instagram : A new beginning .
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