ike the world had suddenly decided to pretend nothing important

ou went to prison

e first time, really seeing him now, not just the expensive suit, not just the cold eyes...but the weight behind his p

r like he expected her denial. "I don't even know you," she added q

hen he spoke aga

That confused her m

road outside the alley. The two men who had been chasing her

" he said. "But I know

"That doesn't answer my qu

xpression, not emotion exactly... but attention. Lik

rison for financia

Elena's jaw

ent missing from Carter E

.." Her stom

d slowly, "was the company's assis

hed to that company felt wrong. Atlas watched her carefu

led slightly, "I di

, "There is always a

n't understand," she snapped, "You weren't there, you don't

ly without speaking immediately, the silence s

as right. Atlas continued, voice still controlled, "And he

but she refused to

gain, "And you

a turned her face slightly away, rain h

, neither of them spoke. The alley felt quieter now, like even the rain had softened to listen, Atlas looked at h

you." Elena looked back

oser again, slow

trusted him enough to de

true." But even as she said

his phone from his pocket and unlocked

"Take it

eeing-A restaurant, soft lighting, laughing voices. Then-Ryan, sitting at a table smiling, n

r, whispering something in Ryan's ear and smiled like he belonged there, l

ideo continued-Ryan lifted a glass, "To new beginnings," he said clear

wly lowered the phone, her hands were shaking

forget you,"

a short, br

d slowly, "Because it looks like

tely, he studied her face again, like h

n the wrong place."

What does t

"It means," he said, "you're still w

t. A horn sounded softly outside the alley, the black car door opened wider, Atlas paused before stepping a

uried you..." he paused for a while, ".

e, rain soaking her skin, phone still burning in her memory, her past