Page 61

Atlas

Three months had pass since Ashlen sign the divorce papers. After the talk I had with her, I expected her to go away and stop causing trouble. I was wrong. She was still on TikTok, still trying to ruin Kairi.

But Kairi was resilient—and I had money. We’d stopped worrying about traditional publishing and were going the indie route.

The judge rubbed his temples, visibly exhausted, while Ashlen’s attorney sat stiffly, probably regretting ever taking her case.

Ashlen was sitting next to him, had her arms crossed tightly.

She was seething.

And she was losing.

The judge cleared his throat, flipping through the stack of papers in front of him before looking over his glasses.

“This has been an absolute mess,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Ms. Carter, you have repeatedly refused to comply with court orders, spread false allegations, and dragged out a divorce that was finalized in every way that mattered months ago.”

Ashlen’s jaw tightened, but she kept that perfect, innocent expression plastered on her face.

The judge continued.

“Given the mountain of evidence provided regarding your mismanagement of shared assets and your role in defamation efforts against Mr. Carter and Ms. Monroe, this court finds no basis to grant you any further financial compensation. Your alimony request is denied.”

Ashlen’s mouth twitched. Her lawyer flinched.

Kairi, sitting behind me, exhaled a slow, relieved breath.

The judge leaned forward, his voice dry.

“This entire ordeal has been nothing short of a spectacle. It is evident that this was not a marriage, but a performance—one that, frankly, never should have reached this courtroom.” He exhaled, snapping the folder shut. “I’m granting the divorce, and this matter is now closed. I suggest both parties move forward with their lives.”

The gavel hit the bench. It was over.

Ashlen didn’t move.

Her entire face was nearly red as her hair as the bailiff dismissed everyone.

I stood up, adjusting my tie. Kairi reached for my hand as we turned to leave.

“You fucking ruined me.” She pushed past us, blocking out exit.

I stopped. Kairi stopped.

The courtroom wasn’t empty yet.

Mason stood near the door with a grin on his face. He had been helpful.

Ashlen got in his face.

“You told them everything. You’re the reason I lost everything,” she accused.

Mason stared down at her “I did. And everything I told was the truth.”

Ashlen laughed, but it was humorless. “The truth? You told them I used you. That I only married Atlas for his money. That I never gave a shit about his feelings. You stood there and let them paint me like I was the fucking villain.”

“You were the villain, Ashlen,” Mason said flatly. “I just made sure the court knew it.”

She seethed, hands clenching into fists. “You’re such a fucking coward.”

Mason smirked, but it wasn’t kind. “And you’re a liar who finally ran out of people willing to clean up your mess. I told you when you aborted my baby, I would repay you in the least kind way.”

That was something we’d found out during Mason’s testimony. He and Ashlen had a lot of baggage between them.

Ashlen opened her mouth, probably ready to spew more of her bullshit, but I cut in. I couldn’t help it. She had been a pain in my ass too long.

“Why are you still here, Ashlen?” My voice was calm. I was amused. “You lost. Take your L and go.”

She whipped around to face me, her eyes filled with fury.

Then—she smiled.

A slow, wicked smile.

“Oh, Atlas,” she purred. “You really think I lost?” She tilted her head. “I don’t need your money,” she said, her voice mocking. “I’m going to make so much more writing my tell-all book.”

Kairi’s grip tightened in mine.

“And,” Ashlen continued, her voice oozing smugness, “I just signed a streaming movie deal.”

She laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “This is a fair trade, don’t you think, Kairi?” Her voice turned fake sweet. “I get to be who you always wanted to be, and you got my leftovers.”

Ebony stepped forward. She had come from New York to support us.

She waved her long black nails in Ashlen’s face. “That right there says it all. You’re jealous of Kairi, Ashlen,” Ebony said, grinning. “It’s pathetic, really, with your rotten twat-having ass.” Ebony had been waiting for the chance to go off on Ashlen for months. She was giving it her all.

I cringed.

Ashlen’s smirk dropped.

And then—she snapped.

She shoved Ebony. Hard.

Before anyone could react, Ebony jumped up, swung, and connected.

Hard.

The crack of her fist against Ashlen’s jaw echoed through the almost-empty courtroom.

Ashlen stumbled back, hands flying to her face, eyes wide with shock.

“You crazy bitch!” she screeched.

Ebony stepped forward, casually rolling her shoulders, looking completely unbothered.

“I’ll be the last bitch you ever put your hands on,” she said smoothly, flexing her fingers. “Try that shit again, and I’ll make sure Kairi don’t never have to worry about your ass again.”

Ashlen’s mouth opened and closed, her eyes darting to the bailiff, who looked like he wanted nothing more than to clock out early.

I just shook my head, smirking.

Mason let out a slow whistle. “Should’ve kept your hands to yourself, Ashlen.”

She glared at him, humiliated, and then turned to me one last time.

“This isn’t over,” she hissed.

I grinned. “Oh, sweetheart. It’s been over. You’re just the last one to realize it.”

She let out an infuriated scream, turned, and stormed out of the courtroom, her heels clicking angrily against the floor.

Kairi let out a deep breath, finally relaxing, then turned to Ebony. “You good?”

Ebony dusted off her hands. “Yeah. But my ring might’ve been dented by the bitch’s hard-ass skull. It’s gonna be on sight every time I see that bitch, I swear.”

Kairi burst out laughing. “Can we all just agree to let Ashlen be Ashlen and leave her completely alone?”

I slipped an arm around her waist, leaning down to murmur, “I agree. Can we go home now?”

She nodded, leaning into me. “Yeah. Let’s go home.”

Just me, Kairi, and a future I actually wanted.

And finally—finally—peace.