I Swear I Still Hate Him (Atlas Lawson) novel Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Emery’s POV

63%

“We know this is so impromptu, the wedding was supposed to be in a month from now, but your dad and I thought, why wait that long? We have everything ready and everything’s falling into place so perfectly,” Daisy said, her voice so damn cheerful I almost felt bad for not matching it.

Dad chuckled beside her. “We figured we’d catch you two off guard, but hey, why not end the semester with a celebration, right?”

I blinked.

Celebration?

I couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. My tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth.

“Um, yeah. Congratulations,” Atlas said with a soft smile, voice smooth like it always is when he’s trying to play it cool.

“Thanks, son.” Dad grinned, that proud, slightly awkward grin of his. “I like the sound of that.”

My fingers curled into fists under the table so tight I felt my nails bite skin. Was I bleeding? I wouldn’t be surprised.

Don’t be a bitch. Don’t be a spoiled brat. Don’t ruin this. They’re happy.

But my stomach was in knots.

“Emery?”

I looked up, heart stuttering in my chest.

Daisy tilted her head, brows creased with concern. “Are you okay honey?”

Say yes…fucking say yes… please, just Smile, Nod, Lie…ANYTHING!

But instead…

“Isn’t that a little too fast?”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Daisy’s smile faltered for just a second, like a crack in a window before it shatters. “Um… yeah, it is. I’m sorry we caught you so off guard, but…” Her hand slid over Dad’s. “Your father and I are so in love, we just can’t wait to be a family.”

They both smiled at each other like it was the freaking ending of a rom-com.

And I sat there biting the inside of my cheek so hard I tasted blood.

God, I hated how I felt. I should’ve been happy for them. But instead, I felt like the walls were closing in, the air thinning. I felt Atlas’s hand slide under the table, wrapping around mine, scheezing once.

Steady. Solid. Reassuring.

But it wasn’t enough.

“Em, this is gonna be gr…”

“I’m sorry,” I blurted, standing so quickly my chair scraped loud cross the tile. “I need air.”

1/3

ས ཏྲཱི, 63%

Chapter 112

Dad’s voice followed me, low and worried. “Emery…”

But I didn’t stop. Couldn’t.

Tears blurred my vision as I pushed through the crowd, barely aware of the hostess politely asking if everything was okay. My heels clicked too fast on the floor. My chest was tight. My that felt like it was closing.

I shoved open the door to the patio and stepped outside, dragging in a breath like I’d been drowning and barely made it up

for air.

This wasn’t how I wanted to react… But I couldn’t help it…. Because the wedding was next week… and that meant soon.

Soon, Atlas and I would leave, and I wouldn’t get to see my dad again. Our paths separated after I break his heart.

“Emery.”

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. I couldn’t turn around. I heard his footsteps getting closer, echoing off the stone. I tensed. I didn’t want him to see me like this…messy, crying, broken.

“Please go, Dad.”

“Emery, I understand how you feel…”

“No, you don’t,” I said, my voice low and flat, barely above a whisper.

“It’s a big chapter,” he said gently. “Especially after your mom died… but I promise, being with Daisy doesn’t change the fact that I’ll always love her.”

The fact that he thought my little outburst was about Mom made me feel ten times more like crap.

“I’ll always love her,” he continued, “and having some additions to the family isn’t…”

“Dad.” My voice came out sharper than I intended, louder than i should’ve been.

He paused, quiet now.

“I just want to be alone… please.”

There was a beat. Then finally, he exhaled. “Okay.”

I didn’t look back, but I heard him turn around and walk away. The door clicked shut behind him. And just like that, the tears spilled harder. I walked fast, because I knew Atlas would come next. And just like with Dad, I wasn’t ready for him either.

Thankfully, a cab rolled up at the curb. I got in, barely giving the driver the address before I crumpled into the seat, letting my head fall back against the cool window.

***

A few minutes later, I heard the front door open as I laid in my ed, face down, head pounding, eyes swollen from crying

They were home.

Thanks to me, dinner had ended early.

I heard footsteps. Then a faint voice through the wall: “Just give er some time.”

The door shut again. More silence.

2/3

11:10 Tue, Jan 20 DG.

Chapter 112

63%

A few minutes later, there was a soft knock at my door. I didn’t love right away, Just stared at it, my legs heavy, eyes still burning from the last round of crying.

Another knock…gentle, patient. I knew it was him.

I finally got up, dragging myself across the room, every step slow and shaky. When I opened the door, there he was…

Atlas.

He didn’t say a word. He just stepped inside, pulled me into his chest, and wrapped his arms around me like I’d fall apart if he didn’t hold me together…And maybe I would’ve.

The second his arms were around me, the tears came again. Fast Hot. Messy. I buried my face into his shirt, my fingers gripping the fabric like it was the only solid thing I had left.

“I didn’t mean to ruin it,” I whispered, voice cracking.

He just held me tighter, resting his chin lightly on top of my head. “You didn’t ruin anything.”

I shook my head, still clinging to him. “It’s like every time I try to keep it together, I just… break more.”

He didn’t try to fix it. Didn’t rush me. He just let me cry, his thumb rubbing slow circles on my back, like he knew I didn’t need words…I just needed him.

Weakness wasn’t my favorite emotion.

I hated it. I avoided it like the plague. I built walls and smiled and said “I’m fine” more times than I could count.

But tonight?

Tonight, weakness curled up in my chest like an old friend. And for once, I didn’t shove it away.

3/3

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