Stella tricked him. But the fact he could be tricked. He left? “Why did you leave at all?”
“She compromised Sterling and lured me away using his voice.” He reached out for her. “I will not take you back. Will you listen to me? Please, you shouldn’t be walking so much.”
She side-eyed the hover. “I’m not trusting anything from that damn facility. I’ll walk. I’ve had freaking enough of technology.”
“. . . You’re bleeding, Anna.”
Anna looked down.“These two feet carried me far. They can go a bit more.”
“Anna. Stella locked me in.” Atlas’s voice grew desperate. He stepped in front of her. His hands were burned, and his sweater was ripped and torn in places. “I just got out and turned the power off. I came as fast as I could for you.” He gestured to the baby. “And her too.”
Anna stopped. “Are they gonna come after me?”
“No.”
“Good.”
She took a step down the path, and then heard a cry that made her turn.
“Please.” Androids could not cry. But Atlas’s voice shook and choked like he was. “Please don’t turn away from me.”
And she looked at him. Really looked. Atlas’s hands were held out in front of him. Pleading, outstretched in a way that she remembered doing . . . with Paul. And she remembered how desperately she’d wished for forgiveness back then. When Atlas didn’t need to be forgiven for anything. He was not responsible for any of this. He was tricked too.
He just wanted to be loved.
Unlike Paul, Atlas was worthy of being loved. He was worthy . . . Anna glanced down at her sleeping baby.Worthy of being a father.
Anna inhaled sharply. Atlas was unlike Paul, who by this point would have shoved her until she gave in to what he wanted. Until it was Anna who had her arms outstretched, unable to stay mad while she was being hurt and just wanted it to stop.
Anna swallowed thickly. “I don’t need you to take care of me.”
“I know.” Atlas took her hand, almost doubled over in plea. “But let me do it anyway. Please, Anna.”
“I’m really mad, Atlas.” Anna’s eyes filled with tears. “I am . . . not wanting to be anywhere near those other androids anymore.Not gonna do their dinners. Not gonna play nice or answer to them.”
“I know.” His voice darkened. “I will never take you back. They know they went too far.”
Anna could feel her body tremble. “You promise?”
Atlas reached one of his hands toward her. “I swear it.”
Anna’s voice became very small. “Even if I don’t . . . act right? Or I don’t do the right thing?”
“Oh, Anna.” Atlas pulled her into his arms. Silence fell as he held her, her heartbeat pounding into his. The baby kicked between them as he took her head into his hands. He angled his face to her. “I will love Anna when she smiles.” He kissed her nose. “And when she frowns.” A kiss to her forehead. “When she’s silly.” Another kiss. “And yes, even when she’s mad.” Then lower, he whispered, “Especially when she’s mad.”
Anna didn’t hesitate as she melted into his embrace, and he closed his arms.It’s him. It’s him.
His artificial heart was steady as she pressed into his chest, their baby in between them. “I promise.”
Chapter fifty-four
Atlas
Atlas gently shook Anna awake. Their baby was rooting, turning her head looking to nurse. “Anna? I think she’s needing to eat again.”
They had been home around two days now, settled back into their home with a tiny bassinet by their side. The door locked, even though no more threats were coming. The days blurred, the way caring for a newborn should, instead of other stresses.
“Okay.” Anna rolled over, propping herself up. She was tired, her eyes lidded as she raised herself. After finally returning home she almost collapsed in the bed, trusting Atlas to stand guard. To protect them.
