When I awoke, I found myself lying in an emergency room. Everything seemed normal, and the excruciating pain vanished, leaving me numb.Atlas was beside me, looking concerned. It appeared he had brought me to the emergency room. My sudden condition must’ve startled him, and I felt apologetic.“Did I scare you? I’m sorry,” I chuckled awkwardly, “You always seem to catch me at my worst. Thank you for saving me again.”“Do you feel better now?” Atlas scrutinized my expression with a hint of worry in his eyes."I have gallstones, an old problem," I replied.He called the doctor, and I underwent another examination. The doctor gave me a detailed report of my condition and provided some instructions before informing Atlass that I could leave after finishing the IV drip.When the doctor left, I reassured Atlas, "Don't worry, it's how this condition is. The pain is terrifying, but I feel nothing afterward."He nodded and asked, "Should I inform your family?"I shook my head and thought

Matthew and Grace wanted to reprimand Melanie, but Henry impatiently said, “All right, let’s eat!”His attitude didn’t surprise me. After all, he had excessively indulged his daughter and never denied her anything. I knew he was aiming his impatience at me.Ava shivered from Henry’s shout and dropped her spoon with a clang. The sound snapped me out of my thoughts, and I repressed my anger before picking up the spoon and giving her a new one.Afterward, I looked at Melanie and asked, “Are you saying I’m an incompatible factor in this family? Otherwise, you wouldn't have said that. Let's see what the rest of us think."Matthew's expression grew grave, and he patted my shoulder. "Don't listen to her nonsense. Let's eat."Grace also hurried to mediate. "We're family, so don't nitpick at words. That’s what Mel is like. She's just one to hold onto old grudges."“I’ve never taken Melanie’s words to heart. Still, that doesn’t mean she does either, right? I’ve never considered whether or

I wandered and found myself by the river again. I had brought some wine and arranged for my mother-in-law to pick Ava up. Then, I settled by the river to pour myself a drink.I realized the company had become an empty shell, its sole purpose to fill the Murphys’ wallet. Meanwhile, I was empty-handed. No wonder Melanie could taunt me so confidently. Although I married into the family, I wasn’t part of their world.Even now, Melanie and Matthew didn’t spare my meager possessions. They would invade my space and commit vile acts on my bed whenever I was away. I thought I was strong-willed at the Murphys’ residence last night.However, my repayment was a car for Melanie. When I asked him to send my parents some money, he lashed out at Erica. The more I thought about it, the more my heart ached. It was like a stabbing pain suffocating my chest.My phone kept ringing, and I didn't know what I said when I answered. I was starting to feel a little tipsy. I saw the buildings across the river

I heard Atlas leaving the room. Then I heard voices outside the door, the door closing, and someone walking back in."Don't you feel suffocated?" Atlas's voice sounded again. I slowly lifted the corner of the blanket to find him looking down at me from above, his smile radiant. He looked handsome in a different way.Was this still the calm and reserved Atlas I knew?He pulled me and the blanket toward him, holding me in his arms. I felt my heart racing. "Hey… what are you doing?"I struggled to breathe with him so close and his handsome face coming closer.Suddenly, I remembered the wild and passionate kiss we shared on the riverbank last night. It was utterly embarrassing. People could be reckless when drunk.His stare was intense. "You’re overthinking. Relax! I’d never take advantage of an unconscious person. I helped you out of your clothes and showered you. You were too stinky after vomiting."My head spun from embarrassment. What did I do last night? Was I the one who had b

I hesitated before telling him I'd rather not attend. I also had Ava with me, so I couldn't go.He mentioned that he had already arranged for my mother-in-law to watch Ava and that she would be arriving at my house soon.His attitude struck me as odd. He had never been eager to take me to social events, but it turned out that ATL Empire organized it. During the afternoon’s meeting, Nick asked about the manager who had represented Tanum Corporation before. Then he questioned my absence. Matthew quickly arranged for me to attend the dinner and even gave me pointers on what to say.We would also be joined by three other major Foswood companies. Each company had strengths, but Tanum Corporation was outmatched and did not belong on the same level.Tanum Corporation had stumbled upon a stroke of luck. Among the representatives from ATL Empire was Atlas.Seeing him again after only a few hours made me a bit nervous. Although I had just seen him this morning, it felt like decades ago.