Beyond the Divorce

Atlas looked deeply into my eyes, nodded seriously, then embraced me. He gently asked, "Are you hungry? Let's grab something to eat together."

That was when I realized that I hadn't eaten anything for a whole day. I had just sipped a glass of juice on the plane.

"I'm famished," I replied coyly, leaning into his embrace. Suddenly, I felt completely exhausted.

Had I really gone through the whole day without food?

There had been no chance for a peaceful, satisfying meal with all the chaos involving Oliver these past two days. He had risked his life to save me. Then, we had suddenly found my dad, and the constant flying back and forth had made me completely forget about eating. While we were discussing that, someone gently knocked on the room door again. My mom's voice came from outside. "Chlo, Atlas, are you asleep? Do you want to come down and have something to eat?"

I quickly retreated from Atlas's embrace, walked over briskly, and opened the door. "Mom! I'm starving! Is there any food?"

"I asked the chef to cook some noodles. Come downstairs to eat." My mom stood at the doorway, looking at me apprehensively. "Is aglio olio okay?"

"Perfect! I don't know when I last had a proper meal," I said, casually hooking my arm around my mom's. I turned back and called to Atlas, "Let's eat! Quickly!"

Atlas followed me and my mom out of the room. Arnold came out and joined us too. He had probably heard all the commotion.

my dad at the table with the notebook

We thought

at Atlas. "Thank you for saving my life.

him say that made me feel

suddenly felt the cruelty of it all as I saw his helpless, desolate

had been evasive and cautious when she was

wished I was just Chloe Hartz, unaware of all my

hasn't rested well these past two days either. We can

aback, their expressions revealing a hint of complexity.

atmosphere, he held back the words he was about to

at Atlas, feeling even more conflicted. Attas had called a halt just when it seemed the mystery was about to be unraveled. I was displeased, and I didn't understand his intentions. Nevertheless, K trusted him. There had to be a reason

all been through so much trouble because of me..."

the tension was building up, my mom arrived with freshly cooked pasta. Each of

olio wafted through the air, making my stomach growl even more. The beef