I Swear I Still Hate Him (Atlas Lawson) novel Chapter 197

Mon, Apr

Chapter 197

Chapter 197

Emery’s POV

It started out as a party but ended with the biggest revelation and a stab to the chest.

And that wasn’t a metaphor. There was actual blood. And I had absolutely no idea what to do.

But that was six days away.

93

“Atlas… Em,” Dad called out, pulling us both into one of those big, warm bear hugs the second we stepped through the front door. It felt like we were 19 and 20 again. We’d just gotten back home to help get everything ready for Daisy’s birthday weekend.

“Man, it’s so good to have you two back here. The house hasn’t felt the same without you guys,” Dad added, that easy, genuine smile spreading across his face, the one that always made me feel like no matter what was going on, things were gonna be alright.

“We know,” Atlas replied with a low chuckle, clapping Dad on the back as he returned the hug. “Feels good to be home, old

man.”

I smiled and squeezed Dad a little tighter, resting my cheek against his shoulder for a second. “Yeah, it’s really good to be back. I missed this place more than I thought I would.”

Dad pulled back just enough to look at both of us, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Well, you two look great. Travel treat you okay?”

“Long flight, but nothing we couldn’t handle,” Atlas said, glancing over at me with a small, private smirk. “Em slept most of the way like usual.”

I rolled my eyes playfully and nudged his side with my elbow. “Hey, I earned that’nap. Someone kept me up late packing.”

Dad laughed, shaking his head. “Sounds about right. Come on in, you must be starving. Sophie’s been cooking up a storm since she heard you were coming.”

Everything felt good and lovely and nostalgic until I heard her footsteps on the stairs. My heart did this stupid little skip even though I told it not to. I looked up and there was Daisy coming down, elegant as always, but her eyes locked on me for a split second. After that tense conversation at the restaurant, things between us had gotten even more awkward. She kept trying to play the perfect stepmom-sending sweet texts, calling, acting all loving, but I couldn’t buy it anymore. Not because I hated her. I never did. Honestly, I’d been thrilled to have a mom figure in my life again. But then the ugly truth came out. The secret only she and I knew. The kind of truth that would destroy Atlas if he ever found out who his mother really was behind that angelic mask.

“Atlas,” she said, her voice softening as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Mom,” Atlas answered, stepping forward to pull her into a hug.

She wrapped her arms around him tightly, tilting her head back to look at him with genuine pride shining in her eyes. “You look wonderful. And I have to say, you’ve been absolutely dominating on the ice lately. I’ve never been prouder to call you, my son.”

“You’re a force out there, son,” Dad added, giving Atlas a firm pat on the shoulder. “Got any secrets you’re willing to share?”

Atlas let out a quiet laugh, his mouth curving into that confident half-smile as his eyes flicked toward me. “I do have one very effective good-luck charm.”

10:02 Mon, Apr 20

Chapter 197

93

My cheeks warmed instantly. I glanced away, pressing my lips together to suppress the small, ridiculous smile threatening to break free. At twenty-nine I still got butterflies like this. Love really didn’t care about age, it just scrambled your brain in the best possible way.

“Emery,” Daisy’s voice cut in, polished but with that familiar sharp undertone. She moved toward me and pulled me into a hug before I could brace for it, her arms wrapping around me with practiced affection.

I stiffened for half a second, then returned the hug lightly, my hands resting briefly on her back.

“Congratulations on returning to swimming,” she said as she stepped back, her expression carefully composed.

“Thank you,” I replied evenly.

“We’re both so proud of you, honey,” Dad said warmly. “And I know your mother would be incredibly happy for you.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I gave him a grateful smile, my chest tightening just a little at the mention of Mom.

I stiffened for half a second, then returned the hug lightly, my hands barely touching her back.

“Congratulations on returning to swimming,” she said as she stepped back, her smile perfectly in place. Then her expression shifted into exaggerated concern. “Though I have to admit, I’ll really miss seeing your modeling work. You were doing so well there…actually making a name for yourself. It’s such a shame you’d throw all of that away just to splash around in a pool again. I mean, at your age… with your…leg… it feels a little delusional, don’t you think?”

And there it was….the knife, wrapped in velvet… I swear I’m gonna kill her.

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