Beyond the Divorce

Just as her hand was about to touch me, Atlas kicked her away and quickly knocked me down onto the sofa.

Two crisp gunshots echoed in the hall, then a dull thud. It was followed by a commanding roar, "Nobody moves!" The previously restless hall fell silent once again.

I found myself pinned beneath Atlas's tall figure, utterly bewildered by what had just happened.

As Atlas lifted me, I finally took in the scene before me. The sofa behind us had been pierced by bullets, leaving a gaping hole, indicating these were no ordinary bullets.

I grabbed onto Atlas, looking at him with horror. He shook his head reassuringly. "I'm fine."

It was then that I noticed the motionless big guy lying on the smooth ivory-colored marble floor beneath us. He lay there without a sound.

A stream of blood flowed outward from a hole in his head, rapidly spreading toward my feet.

It was a horrifying sight. I couldn't help but retch and moved back in horror.

"Don't be afraid." Atlas immediately held me close, covering my eyes.

But the thick scent of blood made me feel nauseous, and I couldn't stop gagging.

me to a different spot, still holding me protectively as I struggled to control my heaving

still want

finally recognized the voice-it

the big guy. If he had been even

laughter suddenly. "Do you think you've won

fell to his

Millard shouted, "Release him,

this was

looked at

like this. As long as we're alive, there's still

to be pained.

Stella shouted, "Millard!"

this." After saying that, he turned and walked away, followed closely by

his teeth, still staring at what Cane held in

the notebook and decisively lighting it with

flames erupted from the

itten about to rush forward fired a shot. The bullet when hit the ground in front