Beyond the Divorce

When I woke up, the sharp scent of hospital disinfectant filled my nose. Groggily turning over, I collided with a warm body. I quickly opened my eyes to find Atlas lying beside me. Staring at him in confusion, I struggled to grasp what was happening.

He looked at me with a tender smile and gently kissed me. "Good morning, sleepyhead. Are you finally awake?"

Still dazed, I mumbled, "What time is it?"

"It's 7," he replied softly.

"7?" I blinked, suddenly realizing it was evening. But why did it still seem like dawn outside?

"7 p.m.," Atlas clarified.

I gasped, glancing outside and then back at him.

"It's 7 p.m.? Then... where's Dad?" Uncertain, I asked, trying to make sense of it all.

"He woke up briefly, then dozed off again. The doctor says he's finally getting some real rest," Atlas informed me in a gentle tone.

through me. So, it was all real-my biological father

surge of happiness, I sat up abruptly, ready to get out of bed. Atlas's hand shot out to stop me. "Careful there,

my Dad," I exclaimed

his eyes. Maybe there was

slapped his arm. "Hey. We're in the hospital, remember? Watch

out of bed again, but he held me back. "Hold on, you can see your dad later, but let's get something straight first. Don't get too worked up. Get up, grab a bite, then go see him." "Oh. I'll just take a peek at him and come back to

was lying. I woke up starving, and the last meal I had

Now, I was famished.

with

says he

Atlas got up and helped me. "You need to eat properly, or else our baby won't get

in astonishment, feeling

abdomen. "You're pregnant. We're going to have

taken aback, staring at him in disbelief,

quite sudden, leaving me unsure how to