I Swear I Still Hate Him (Atlas Lawson) novel Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Emery’s POV

Okay I had to give it to Atlas, he had the best bubble bath Like this man dicht just buy soss the bought an experience. The bottles lined up on the shelf were all my favorites too which made my brain immediately start acting stupid

Had he gotten these for me? Kept them here just in case I ever

No Absolutely not

Coincidence, Emery. Don’t overthink. Don’t spiral. Don’t be we

I peeled off my clothes, wrapped a towel around myself, and tested the water with my fingers. Perfect temperature. The whole bathroom already smelled like roses and something exive like calm had a fragrance. I was literally seconds away from slipping into the tub when it hit me

My phone

nd left it in the living room

“Crap”I muttered, rolling my eyes at myself. “Of course I did.”

Just in case someone called, I told myself. Like I was expecting phone call at night when the only person I knew in

California was currently… Atlas

1 padded out of the bathroom and headed down the hall, towel secured tight. The penthouse was quiet too quiet, and my bare feet made soft little taps against the floor. I reached the comer. And heard it

Footsteps

1 froze so hard my whole body locked. My heart slammed into my ribs like it was trying to break out.

No. No way

Atlas wasn’t supposed to be back until tomorrow.

My mind went a hundred miles an hour, every thought racing sight to the same nightmare, black shirt, mask, cap. that “fan” voice… the shake of the doorknob…

My hand flew to my mouth to smother the sound that tried to cape me.

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

Atlas said there would be security outside the door. Nobody could get in. But what if they stepped away? What if they went to grab something and whoever was inside slipped past them?

My stomach rolled. My hands started shaking so bad the towel felt like it might fall right off my body

The footsteps got closer.

Slow

Heavy

My vision blurred at the edges.

Okay. Okay. Think

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12:19 Tue, Feb 24 00 M ·

Chapter 149

My eyes darted around wildly, landing on a side table in the hallway.

A lamp.

Not ideal.

But it was something.

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I moved as quietly as I could, toes barely touching the floor, and grabbed the lamp with both hands. It was heavier than I expected, my grip clumsy from fear.

The footsteps drew closer.

My pulse thundered in my ears.

I raised the lamp, arms trembling, ready to swing with every ounce of panic and adrenaline I had left.

Just as the shadow rounded the corner…

A hand caught my wrist.

Firm. Strong. Stopping the lamp mid-air.

I gasped.

My fingers went weak and the lamp slipped out of my hands, crashing to the floor.

Glass shattered.

My eyes squeezed shut on instinct.

My breathing turned ragged, coming out in broken little bursts. I couldn’t even see who it was. My mind refused.

My legs finally gave out.

I sank to the floor, knees hitting the hardwood, hands shaking so badly I couldn’t even hold myself up.

“Don’t…” I choked out, voice cracking. “Don’t hurt me. Please.”

The words tumbled out fast, desperate, humiliating.

“Not here,” I whispered, tears spilling before I could stop them. “He can’t…he can’t come home and see me hurt, okay? Please. Please don’t.”

I braced myself for something awful.

A laugh. A slap. A hand over my mouth.

Anything. But none of it came. Instead…

Arms wrapped around me.

Steady. Strong. Warm.

Pulling me close like I wasn’t crazy, like I wasn’t overreacting, like I wasn’t falling apart on his floor in a towel.

My breathing hitched.

Because that comfort…

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12:19 Tue, Feb 24 M.

Chapter 149

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