Divorced From The Pretender novel Chapter 8

I clenched my fists without saying a word.

Nathaniel stared at me. "Don't you want to save your father?"

A wave of desperation washed over me. I didn't want to compromise, but the thought of my father waiting for life-saving surgery made me anxious.

I opened my mouth to respond when someone suddenly called my name. "Celeste."

Turning around, I saw Atlas striding toward me. "Don't agree to him. I've got the money."

Nathaniel's expression shifted instantly. "You again!"

Atlas shoved Nathaniel aside and grabbed my hand. "Let's go pay the medical fees."

Without hesitation, Atlas pulled every string necessary to get my father the best medical care. He stayed with me through endless nights, never leaving my side, offering quiet reassurances when my world was crumbling.

"I'll definitely pay you back," I promised.

Atlas smiled. "It doesn't matter, what's important is your father's health."

But once Nathaniel realized I had sorted out the medical fees, he got furious and threatened to shut down our studio.

He started pressuring us, making it impossible to get any clients.

With his connections, taking down a small studio was easy for him.

I knew what Nathaniel wanted-he wanted me to bow to him. But there was no way I was going to give in. I felt guilty about the impact on the studio.

I told Atlas, "Nathaniel's targeting me. Maybe I should just resign."

If I quit, Nathaniel would leave the studio alone.

Atlas shook his head, trying to comfort me. "It's okay. The studio was started for you, so if it goes under, it goes under."

I was stunned. "What did you just say?"

Atlas looked a bit uneasy but ended up sharing everything. He had a crush on me since high school but never dared to confess. Later, when he heard I was married, he decided to stay away for my happiness.

When he found out about my divorce, he pledged to be brave about his feelings and sought me out.

Knowing how much I loved design, he opened the studio and asked me to interview. He didn't plan on telling me any of this, not wanting to put pressure on me, especially not with Nathaniel being such a jerk.

After he finished, Atlas watched me in silence and scratched his head. "My love for you is genuine. Please don't have to feel burdened by it."

He paused and added, "We'll think of something for the studio. Don't worry."

As he turned to leave, I grabbed his arm. "Atlas, let's work hard to save the studio. As for us, could you give me some time to think?"

Atlas looked at me and nodded.

But a week later, my father suffered another sudden attack.

As his life slipped away, Atlas knelt by his bedside, his voice trembling with emotion as he made a solemn vow—he would marry me and take care of me for the rest of his life, so my father could leave this world without worry.

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