I Swear I Still Hate Him (Atlas Lawson) novel Chapter 117

Chapter 117

Emery’s POV

I looked up, right over Atlas’s shoulder, and there she was.

Laila.

“You… it was you, wasn’t it?”

Her brows pulled together. “What?”

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I moved past Atlas, my heels crunching the grass as I walked straight to her. My so-called best friend. God, it hurt just thinking that word.

“Emery…” she started, her voice shaky.

“You did it. It has to be you.”

Laila blinked, her lips parting. “What are you saying?” Her voice was soft, sad, or maybe that was guilt.

“You know what I’m saying.” My arms flailed with every word, my chest heaving. “You told them about us. You said you were against the whole eloping thing and now…now….this?”

“Em, come on.” She took a small step closer. “You’re being paranoid. I didn’t do anything…”

“Then explain it!” My voice cracked. “Make it make sense, Laila! told you and no one else, and now boom, a damn video goes viral and my life is falling apart!”

“Emery,” Atlas called out, his voice low, probably trying to reel me in. But there was no calming me. Not after the look on my dad’s face. Not after seeing that disappointment, like I had shattered something sacred.

And why did I feel like I was the one who did something wrong? Was it such a crime to be in love? To feel something for someone? Why did I feel so ashamed?

^

I covered my face, pressing my palms into my cheeks as my chest heaved. Everything hurt…my head, my ribs, my heart.

“Em, just calm down,” Laila said gently, stepping forward and reaching out.

But I jerked away, flinging her hand off me like it burned. “Don’t touch me!” I snapped. “Just stay away from me.”

The tears came hard and fast, blurring my vision. God, I hated crying…hated this feeling…this fucking Weakness. It was the one emotion I couldn’t stand, and yet here it was again, ripping through my chest, clawing at my throat like barbed wire.

“I trusted you, Laila… You were my best friend.”

“Were,” she repeated, her voice breaking.

“Yeah.” I crossed my arms, standing straighter, trying to look stronger than I felt. “From today on, you and I? We’re nothing. Like… strangers. Not even.”

I could see the tears gather in her eyes, and that hurt like shit. B I pretended, folding my arms like I was making some kind of statement, trying to come off strong and tough.

Pfft. I was gonna cry all night long over the stupid words I had just spewed.

Laila stood there for a beat, completely still, like she was trying process what had just happened. Then she nodded slowly, like she’d made peace with it.

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09:27 Mon, Jan 26 G GB.

Chapter 117

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“If blaming me makes you feel better, then fine,” she whispered. But I’m sorry, Em… I really am. That things turned out like

this.”

And with that, she turned around and walked away.

I didn’t stop her. I just stood there, frozen, watching her go. A pat of me screamed to run after her and take it all back… but I couldn’t. Because I didn’t know who to trust anymore.

So I stayed rooted to the spot, watching years of friendship vanish into the night until she was completely out of sight.

I blinked hard trying to fight the new fresh wave of tears but who was I kidding? it was all useless.

Then I felt him…Atlas… my Atlas

He stepped closer, his warmth instantly surrounding me. He didn’t say a word. He just opened his arms.

And I fell into them.

His arms locked around me like I was the most important thing in the world. Like if he let go, I’d slip right through the cracks. And I didn’t want to slip. I didn’t want him to let go-ever

I buried my face into his chest, clutching his shirt like it was the only thing keeping me grounded. And for a moment… I let myself fall apart.

Then we heard footsteps behind us.

It wasn’t Laila…neither was it our friends.

We didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. We could feel it, that tension, that silence.

And when we finally did turn…

Two sets of eyes stared back at us. One full of heartbreak. The other laced with quiet disappointment.

My dad.

And Daisy.

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***

A week later.

“Dad!” I yelped, practically jumping out of my skin as a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind.

He laughed, totally unbothered, and pressed a kiss to my forehead like he hadn’t just shaved five years off my life.

“Never gets old,” he said with a smug grin.

I rolled my eyes, swatting his arm. “I’m gonna pay you back big me, old man. So you better get ready.”

He held up his hands in mock fear. “Oh no, not the wrath of my laughter. Did I just unleash the tigress?”

“Laugh all you want,” I smirked. “Soon you’ll be yelling out your soul.”

He laughed again, and even though I tried to stay annoyed, I couldn’t help but smile. That was the thing about my dad, he could ruin your day and fix it with the same damn breath.

“I’m gonna go grab some sunscreen,” I said, turning toward the use.

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09:27 Mon, Jan 26 GBB

Chapter 117

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The second I stepped inside, I bumped into something solid and warm, and very much alive. My breath caught when I looked up.

Atlas.

Shirtless.

Wearing nothing but black swim trunks and that annoying smug face of his.

Oh, right.

The wedding was never canceled. Instead, my dad dropped a stupid amount of money to shut the media up and bury the video. Then he packed all of us into this massive oceanside mansion like it was supposed to be some kind of fresh start. I guess that’s how much he really loved Daisy.

I forced a tight smile and tried to step aside. But he moved at the same time.

“Sorry,” I muttered.

We both stepped again. Same direction.

Again.

Ugh.

Then we stopped. And for some dumb reason, we laughed.

It was quick, and probably didn’t mean anything, but damn, it was the first time we’d laughed since the video. Since everything blew up. Since we’d started pretending like we weren’t in love.

His hand brushed my shoulder gently, lingering longer than necessary, and I sucked in a shaky breath. My heart thudded like it had no business being that loud.

He smiled. Dimples. Freaking dimples. God, I missed those so much.

“I’ll stay. You move,” he said, voice low.

I nodded, but neither of us moved. It was like we were frozen in time, suspended in that one small second where no one else existed. No parents. No guilt. No rules. Just him and me.

And then, like always, the moment shattered.

“Is there an issue?” Daisy’s voice cut through the air like a slap.

Atlas’s hand dropped from my shoulder instantly, and I swear my skin missed it the second it was gone.

He turned toward her, forcing a smile. “No, Mom.”

I spun too, throwing on my fakest grin like it was part of my macup routine. “I was just getting sunscreen. Want some?”

“Oh, yes please,” she said, all soft and sweet.

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