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Chapter 9

Faith's POV

3 years ago

I sat in my locked room gazing at mine and Atlas's photos that hung onto the wall. "Fai....sweetheart...why is your door locked honey" my mom knocked on the door, speaking with a concerned voice. "Fai....honey are you okay?" she spoke again but I ignored her, hugging my legs as I stared at the images. "Fai...FAITH HONEY..." she raised her voice in worrisome and started to bang on the door. I slowly got up from my bed and unlocked the door, opening it for my mom who stared at me with concern. A sigh of relief left her lips as quickly hugged me. "You made me so worried honey...why was your door locked?" she asked now breaking the hug. I faked a cough and looked away "um...sorry mom...I probably did it without noticing...sorry to make you worried" I said quietly. She stood there in silence, studying my face. "Are you sure you are okay sweetheart?" she asked with her sweet voice, cupping my cheeks.

I gave her a fake smile "Of course mom...just a bit sleepy" I faked a chuckle making her smile. "Okay, hun...come down for breakfast. Oh and I forgot to tell you...Dave and Kate invited us for breakfast next door so get dressed quickly" she said and walked back downstairs. I closed the door and allowed my tears to pour out of my eyes. I clenched my chest with my palm and held it as if I was in pain, which I surely was. How was I going to face them after the betrayal they hit me with?.


"Ahh there you are Atlas....look at you boy...you have become a man...I'm so proud of you and congratulations on your marriage even though I'm hurt you didn't invite us," my dad said patting Atlas's back who gave my dad a small smile. "It's okay uncle....you will surely see our wedding soon. We only did a court marriage and might plan on a big wedding later on" Atlas said wrapping his arm around Melissa making me clench my jaw in anger, while my heart shattered repeatedly.

"Come sit...Faith come on...don't stand there sweetheart" Kate spoke giving me a sweet smile as she caressed my back. I looked down and sat down at my chair. "So how was New York?" my dad asked him. "It was good...hard at first but it was all worth it....becoming the CEO changed my life for the better," he said with his deep voice that made my stomach flutter.

"Faith darling...why are you so quiet?..normally you are the talkative one here...are you feeling okay sweetheart?" Kate asked me in concern. I glanced at Atlas who was looking at me with a blank expression. I faked a smile and said "no Aunt Kate...I just feel sleepy...didn't sleep well at night...you know....busy watching Netflix" I lied. They all laughed excluding the couple sitting opposite me. "Yeah sis is too addicted to the new series on Netflix...just look at her red eyes," my second older brother Nathan said with a chuckle. I sat there with a fake smile, even though I was feeling uncomfortable under someone's gaze.

"by the way when are you making us grandparents?" Kate said with teasing smirk making me freeze. Mine, Atlas's parents, and my brothers laughed while Melissa blushed. Atlas smirked and wrapped his arm around Melissa's shoulders. He gave me a smirk and kissed her above her ear, still keeping his eyes on me and whispered "soon" breaking my heart once again. I quickly stood up "I'm not hungry....excuse me" I muttered and left the room in a rush. I walked towards the guest room which was empty and closed the door. I leaned back onto the door and burst into tears. I held my hand over my mouth so that no one could hear me. It killed me, it hurt me to see him like that with her. I don't why he is doing this?...why?.

I sat on the bed and allowed my tears to fall out. My heart clenched in anger, sadness, and betrayal. All of a sudden the door open causing me to look up. "Why are you sitting here..... crying?..you should be happy instead...after all it's all your doing" she hissed. I stood up and strode towards her. "What on earth are you talking about Melissa?...what have I done to you?...why the fuck are you doing this?..... WHY?" I yelled at the end. "because you hurt him. You hurt my friend....you broke his heart and a great man like him doesn't deserve a fake bitch like-" I cut her off by slapping her across the face.

Her face flew to the side while she stood there frozen in shock. "I thought you were my sister...I thought you were my best friend but today you proved to me that an outsider can never be family" I snapped in anger, giving her an angry glare. She scoffed and glared back "you are right Faith...you are right...we are no more friends...not after what you did with Atlas" she spoke back.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath "What did I do Melissa?...just tell me what did I do to deserve this?" I said now falling weak. "You know what you did. I have no interest in telling you what you did as you know yourself" she spoke and turned to walk away until Atlas entered the room.

"There you are... I was finding you everywhere Mel....what are you doing-" he stopped when he saw me. He then looked back at Mel's face and stroked her red, throbbing cheek. He clenched his jaw in anger and caressed her cheek. "Did she do that?" he asked in a menacing voice causing my heartbeat to increase. "Just leave it Atlas, let's go," she said and tried to pull him away but he didn't move. "Answer me" he spoke but she didn't answer. He glared at me and stalked towards me..."how dare you to raise your hand on my wife?" he said with a cold tone making me flinch. "She started it Atlas...and she deserved it, " I said with anger while he just glared at me. I softened my expressions and walked closer to him. "A-atlas-" I sobbed, "why are you doing this to me Atlas?...what did I do please.....please tell me...I love you so much...I know you don't love her...a-" I was cut off by a sting on my cheek.

I froze in shock while I heard a gasp behind him. With a shaky hand, I slowly touched my throbbing cheek that was just slapped. "I love my wife and will only love her, the love I once had for you died long ago. You are nothing to me, nothing. You are only trash in my eyes" he hissed making me shocked. "and next time, dare raise your hand on my wife, then watch what I will do to you" he threatened and held Melissa's hand walking out of the door. I stood there frozen as he left me. Tear after tear fell out of my eye, my knees falling weak as I fell to the ground. He....he....my...my Atlas....my Atlas....he...he slapped me?....

There was only one question in my mind

Why?

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