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Dirty slut.
You’re nothing but a whore.
This is all you’re good for.
No. She took a deep breath. That wasn’t true—it never was.
I am beautiful.
I am strong.
I’m a survivor.
“But when I found out I was pregnant with Zoey, everything changed. I was terrified and alone. But she altered my life. She made me learn to re-parent myself. To see the child I was when I was victimized, and forgive myself for not being able to protect me. Zoey’s been my reason for breaking the cycle. She’s my little North Star, my lighthouse in the darkness.”
Atlas kissed her forehead. “I’m so sorry that you had to go through that. I can’t fucking imagine.”
Her heart warmed. Hearing him validate the severity of her trauma brought her a sense of comfort.
“I want to kill the man with my bare hands.”
Her eyes widened. “He’s already gone.”
“Thank you for sharing this with me. I know it can’t be easy.”
She nodded. “But you need to see how broken I am. I need you to know I have scars that have scars. Sometimes I get so sad I can’t get out of bed. And sometimes I lose my way.”
Atlas tipped her chin up to look at him. “Then I guess I’ll have to be your lighthouse too so you can find your way back.”
Love in its purest form burst from her chest. This gorgeous man looked at her like she was the most precious being in the world. She wasn’t her past. Or her shame. With Atlas, she was beautiful. He saw past her scars and saw beauty. Beyond her trauma and recognized her strength.
“Atlas?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“I’d like that.”
He leaned down, melding his lips with hers. The kiss was soft and gentle, life-giving. His hand came to the back of her head. His forehead touched against hers and they both fought to catch their breath.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“Yes,” she answered breathily. She was starving for him.
He reached into the basket and pulled out several bins of Tupperware.
She slid off his lap a little deflated. “Oh, you meant for actual food.”
He chuckled. “I had a friend in New York show me how to make some of his favorite Korean dishes.”
Her heart fluttered. “You did this for me?”
“I’d do anything for you.” His tone was serious.
She smiled, fighting the happy tears that blurred her vision.
His mouth slanted over hers, kissing her cheek next, and then her forehead, and her other cheek in a circle. “And we’re gonna take this as slow as you need. I’ll wait until you’re ready to let me back in fully. There’s no rush when we have forever.”
Atlas lifted his fork to her lips. She opened her mouth and took a bite of the delicious cold noodles he fed her. Sweet, tangy, and a bit spicy, the food burst with flavor.
