Beyond the Divorce



Atlas led me to the dining table, and the dishes were promptly served as soon as we sat down.

I was actually hungry. My pregnancy symptoms were mild this time, with hardly any morning sickness. I was just incredibly sleepy. Additionally, I noticed I had a hearty appetite. Despite having a bland taste in my mouth a few days ago, I always felt hungry. Today's dish was lobster. The white, steamed lobster meat looked appetizing, and I wanted to dig into it immediately.

Seeing my eagerness to eat, Atlas smirked. "You've got quite the appetite, huh?"

"It seems like I want to eat everything Sandy makes," I replied honestly.

Atlas chuckled even more. "Everything she made was what you used to love. Take this lobster, for example. You'd only eat it with garlic oil drizzled on top. You don't like the spicy kind."

As he spoke, I realized I craved spicy flavors the most.

Back in my hometown, there were no cinnamon toasts, so every time I ate toast, I felt a strange emotion. I vividly remember asking my mom, "Why are they all topped with peanut butter?"

My mom would always ask me, "What would you like?"

But I couldn't express my preferences. I just knew it wasn't peanut butter.

It wasn't until I went to university in Foswood that I encountered cinnamon toasts for the first time. I indulged without restraint, and everyone in my dorm knew I loved cinnamon toasts.

At that time, Beatrice would bring cinnamon toasts to me whenever she needed something from me.

It turned out that was what I used to love as a kid.

Sandy was great in every way, except that she talked a lot. She could go on and on, but luckily, she only talked about my childhood memories. Sometimes, she'd burst into laughter while recounting them, and Atlas and I would exchange a helpless glance.

But neither of us interrupted her. Atlas knew I enjoyed listening to Sandy's stories, and he would accompany me with interest.

So, the nanny kept talking, and I kept nodding.

It was hard to imagine that the usually aloof Atlas had let go of all pretenses and relaxed into a gentle and caring head of the family.

I understood him the best. He could be like this because of his fondness for this place. He cherished home and family.

The nanny gave him precisely the kind of family love he wanted.

In the middle of the night, I woke up needing to pee, only to find Atlas wasn't¶n bed. I was a bit puzzled. It was so late, so why hadn't he slept yet? Was he still working? Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Although it was two hours ahead here compared to back home, it should still be late at night there.

I got up, went to the bathroom, then walked out of the room. The corridor was dimly lit by a small nightlight, and it was quiet all around.

I hesitated for a moment, not knowing which room Atlas's study was in.

Just as I was dazed, I heard faint footsteps coming up from downstairs.

I looked toward the stairs, feeling a little nervous. After a moment, I saw Atlas hurrying up the stairs.

He seemed surprised when he saw me, quickly walking over and asking, "What's wrong? Why are you up? Are you thirsty?"

I looked at him, feeling a little disoriented but now fully awake.

"Did you go out?" I asked in surprise.

"Yeah, I did." Atlas nodded. "I went out with Dylan to handle some things."

"Oh," I murmured, returning to the room in his embrace.

After settling me on the bed, he took off his coat and whispered, "I'll take a shower and be right back."

Then he disappeared into the bathroom.

I pondered. It seemed that since we

arrived here, although he seemed

calm on the surface, he must be planning something. And he had

е

already started acting on it.

Since we arrived here, he had been busy without a moment to spare, while I had plenty of leisure time..

He soon finished showering and

came out drying his hair as he

walked to the bedside and looked at

me. "What's wrong? Were you worried when you couldn't find me?"

UMS

"You haven't rested properly these past two nights, right?" I asked directly.

He quickly finished drying his hair, put the towel on the bedside table, and got into bed.

Pulling me into his arms, he explained, "Dylan and I were investigating Celine's background. She's been up to something new lately."