Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom novel Chapter 646

Atlas looked at me, and in his eyes, I saw a hint of sadness. "That was just the version you heard."

He continued, "They gave you that story in a deliberate attempt to confuse you. That's why I've been reminding you that you need to trust me."

My mind did a quick flip. He was right. The false Stella was the one who told me about Annalise the first time.

"The truth is, when the real Stella was sent to that orphanage, she wasn't called Stella anymore. She was given the name 'Annalise'," Atlas said with certainty.

"So Celine changed her name when she sent her there," I deduced.

"Yes, that's right. So even though we searched every orphanage, we couldn't find Stella.”

"When did you find her?" I was having trouble understanding the intricacies of the situation.

"Perhaps it was fate. Just as I found the lost little girl, we discovered an orphanage. We went to inquire, and when Cody came back, he told me they had someone named Stella there. Overjoyed, I ran out to see her, but they wouldn't let me. Instead, they kept me and questioned me about my situation. Something felt off, so I ran away."

"Was it because they had received some orders?" I asked, connecting the dots.

"I couldn't care less at that moment. I just wanted to see Stella. We went around the orphanage, trying to find a way in. Later, I decided to climb over the outer wall from a slope, and Cody waited outside.

"Once inside, I saw you there among a group of children, looking dispirited. I was ecstatic; it was the first time I'd seen you in two years. You were so thin. But I didn't dare approach you because the caregivers were also there. I waited anxiously for an opportunity to get you out.

“Maybe it was because I'd been inside for too long, but Cody got worried when I didn't come out, so he came to find me. Before he entered, he hid the little girl outside. She was scared and cried while she waited.

“When she didn’t see us after a while, she ran out crying, which resulted in her being discovered. The commotion outside drew all the children to see what was happening. You stayed there, unresponsive, while I ran over quietly. When you saw me, you were utterly shocked. You just stared at me without moving."

Atlas paused, his eyes filled with tenderness. Then he kissed me lightly and chuckled, "You looked so dumbfounded. I didn't dare say a word; I just grabbed you and ran. You didn't make a fuss and just followed me.