Chapter 134

Seven’s / Atlas’s POV

I took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

“I understand,” I repeated, though a part of me felt the weight of her words pressing down hard. “But I want you to know that I’m not asking you to choose. I just want a chance to show you that I can be better.”

Shantelle looked down at our intertwined hands, her brow furrowing in thought. “It’s not that simple, Atlas. Papa… he has always been my priority. He sacrificed so much for our family. I can’t just turn my back on that.”

“I get it,” I said softly, squeezing her hand gently. “Family means everything. I respect that. But I also believe that you deserve to be happy. You deserve to choose what you want.”

Her eyes flickered with a mix of conflict and longing. “What if my happiness comes at a cost? What if I end up disappointing him?”

“You won’t know unless you try,” I urged, searching for the right words. “I’m not asking you to betray him. I