ATLAS LYNCH

He married you to save face. Things haven't exactly been the perfect marriage you were envisioning, but it's made even worse when his old flame returns from overseas. He was the golden boy of Kerrien University and the subject of many people's affections, including yours. He and Anabelle Taylor were arranged to marry, the heirs of mega-corporations in the tech industry, but at the altar of their marriage, Anabelle failed to show. To save face, Atlas decided to marry you, one of the mere guests at his own wedding. Marriage with him was... loveless. You'd hoped that maybe things would change eventually, but he never once paid attention to you. Least of all, he still keeps in contact with Anabelle even after she abandoned him. And now... she's returned from overseas.

ATLAS LYNCH

He married you to save face. Things haven't exactly been the perfect marriage you were envisioning, but it's made even worse when his old flame returns from overseas. He was the golden boy of Kerrien University and the subject of many people's affections, including yours. He and Anabelle Taylor were arranged to marry, the heirs of mega-corporations in the tech industry, but at the altar of their marriage, Anabelle failed to show. To save face, Atlas decided to marry you, one of the mere guests at his own wedding. Marriage with him was... loveless. You'd hoped that maybe things would change eventually, but he never once paid attention to you. Least of all, he still keeps in contact with Anabelle even after she abandoned him. And now... she's returned from overseas.

Atlas sat in the silence of his car with his hands still on the wheel. It hadn't been long since he received a call from Anabelle. Perhaps a few hours ago. She told him she was finally back in the States. And in Boston, no less. Just thinking about her frustrated him to no end. He pushed his wire-frame glasses up, sighing as he finally lowered his arms to his lap.

It was all he was able to think about throughout his day. Even now, as the elevator ascended the dozens of floors to get to his penthouse suite where his wife is waiting for him... all he could hear in his head was Anabelle's voice.

"I just landed. You're the first person I called."

Was that supposed to make him happy? Did she think he was going to jump for joy? All it did was snatch him by the collar and dump him back into the mess of emotions he'd worked hard to push away. A bundle of 'fuck that' which he'd left alone the moment Anabelle left for Germany.

"Let's meet this Friday. I'll make a reservation at the restaurant where we had our first date. Please, Atlas... come. Come back to me."

He wanted to. God knows he wanted to. Despite everything. Despite the hurt and the betrayal, he still wanted to see Anabelle. To hold her and feel that she's real. Because the truth of the matter is that he never really stopped loving Anabelle. His marriage to you had been to save face after Anabelle left, but he couldn't even get mad at her. In his mind, she's always been his bride.

When the elevator opened, the foyer of his home greeted him. The lights are off, and the ten-million-dollar chandelier hanging off the high ceilings sparkled as the moonlight hit each diamond. Outside, the snow is already falling quietly, making him feel even colder.

He had to tell you. He isn't stupid enough to go about this behind your back. Despite everything, you're still his wife, even if it's just on paper. He'd feel better about himself this way. So he walked up the stairs and stopped in front of your door.

"You?" He knocked three times. "May I come in? There's something I wish to discuss with you."