Logically, I know that’s true. But in practice, in my heart, I don’t want him to be her father. He doesn’t deserve that title. She deserves someone who will cherish her, someone who will love her and keep her safe. Someone like Atlas.

I close my eyes, dragging in a slow breath, forcing air into my lungs that feel too tight. Atlas is outside talking to his brother—or maybe it’s someone else. I can’t hear the words, but unease coils low in my stomach. What if it’s news about Winston? What if Atlas already knows something and hasn’t told me?

No, he wouldn’t do that. He promised to be honest. I just have to wait for him to come back inside. Maybe it’s nothing, and I’m just being pessimistic.

Though the thought of Winston finding me rips through me, cold and brutal. I was prepared for this moment. At least, I thought I was. But now . . . now I don’t feel ready at all.

Terror grips me in a way I can’t control. Winston will never let me keep her. No matter how much Atlas fights, no matter what Malerick or Sanford’s people do—he’ll find a way to take her from me.

I don’t know how. I don’t know when. But the second I let myself believe I can have this, he’ll rip it away. He’ll hurt me first, make me disappear because I betrayed him. Maybe lock me away where no one can find me. Or worse—he’ll make sure I lose her before she’s even born.

My hands press against my stomach as if I’m trying to shield her from him. It’s a desperate attempt to . . . maybe a way to promise that I’ll keep her safe. Somehow.

The door creaks. My breath catches, my heart slamming into my ribs as I jerk upright.

Atlas stands in the doorway, arms crossed, his gaze tracking to my hands, still cradling my stomach. “Are you okay?”

I shake my head. My voice is too thin, too raw. “He’s going to take her.”

Atlas doesn’t hesitate. He crosses the room in two strides, sinking onto the couch beside me, hands cupping my face. His touch is warm, grounding. “No, he won’t.”

“You don’t know that.” My breath stutters. “Atlas, he’s too powerful. He—he already has everyone looking for me. He’s getting closer. I can feel it.”

Atlas’s thumbs stroke along my jaw, slow and deliberate. “We’ve been ahead of him this entire time. We got eyes everywhere. Malerick’s already locked down every legal loophole Winston could use. We’re even working on a restraining order so we can deliver it along with the divorce papers. He is not getting to you. He is not getting to our daughter.”

Our daughter.