Page 18 of The Devoted Husband

“What in the hell are you doing here?”

Sade was beautiful—even when she was mad.

“Why did you change your number?” he replied.

“How did you find me?”

“I followed you,” he admitted. “Had you not changed your number, I could simply call you to make sure you’re okay.”

Sade released a low hum of laughter and licked her lips. “You know you’re crazy, right?”

“About you? Absolutely.” He took a step in her direction. She lifted her hands, and he saw the moment she held her breath. Her reaction to him made his heart ache. “Are you scared of me? You know I’d never do anything to hurt you, Day. I love you.”

“You’re stalking me. You don’t think that’s hurting me?”

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I promised you I’d be there for you and the baby and—”

“I told you that was no longer needed. Stop following me, or I will get a restraining order.”

“Damn, it’s like that?” When she didn’t respond, he laughed. “Is this about Dante?”

She released a low breath. “No, Atlas. We can’t be together. There’s no reason for you to try to keep tabs on me. Now, please, leave me alone.”

“Fine,” he agreed. “But if you change your mind, I’m here.”

Not bothering to respond, Sade headed into the doctor’s office.

He watched through the door as she talked to the receptionist, then went to take a seat.

Atlas made his way to her car, casually putting an AirTag on it.

He’d grown tired of waiting outside of the hotel all day for her to make a move.

When he was done, he headed back to the hotel.

He was in luck—the front desk receptionist was the young girl who liked how he looked. Every time he came, her eyes would widen, and she’d smile and stumble over her words. It was cute to him in the past. Now, he’d use her crush to his advantage.

“H-hi. I haven’t seen you here in a while.”

“Yeah, I’ve been away at work,” he replied, leaning against the counter. “I think I left my card to the suite at my hotel in Atlanta. Can you give me another one?”

“Y-yeah, sure.” After a few taps and the swipe of a new card, Mandy handed it to him. “Is there...anything else I can get you?”

“I’m good for now, beautiful, but thank you.”

He shot her a wink that made her bite down on her bottom lip and smile before he headed toward the elevators.

In Sade’s suite, Atlas hid several cameras and microphones. He also logged into her computer and iCloud account to secure her new number. With it, he was able to hack her phone and email again. Pleased with his efforts, he headed out, confident he’d be able to win his lady back once and for all.

Hours Later . . .

“Am I crazy? I feel like I might be. I feel like what Atlas is doing is wrong. There’s no good reason to stalk someone.

..right? God, I’m so screwed up in the head I’m actually wondering if this man could truly love me, I guess, because the man I love most never put energy behind having me.

Now, here Atlas is, doing literally whatever to have me.

I can’t lie and say the obsession isn’t creepy, but it’s also a little cute.

Still, those red flags can’t be ignored. ”

She sighed. “I wished he would have just...been present from a distance and gave me space to make my way back to him. Now, I feel like I can never trust him. And don’t get me started on his family. It’s just too messy of a situation, but I can’t lie and say I don’t miss him.”

She paused. Atlas sat up in his seat, locked in.

He watched her record a voice memo on her phone as she lay in bed.

“I cried after my appointment earlier. I wished he could have been there with me. Since he’s unable to be my partner, that’s all the more reason for me to tell Dante he has a baby on the way. ”

“No.” Standing, Atlas tried to conjure up a plan.

“I can’t believe I got myself into this mess.”

Dialing her number, Atlas lowered the volume on his computer. He stared at the screen as she watched her phone ring with his Facebook messenger call request. Her eyes rolled slightly before she said, “This can’t be a sign.”

Sade answered with, “Yes, Atlas? How did you get my number?”

“Ava,” he lied quickly. “I know you want me to stay away, but I just wanted to know how the appointment went. Is everything okay with you and the baby?”

Her body relaxed in bed as she smiled softly. “Everything’s fine. I heard his or her heartbeat, so that was cool.”

“Wow. Wish I could have been there.”

“Me too.”

“Baby, I know I didn’t go about things the right way, but I just...I want you to know that I love you more than anything in this world. I’ll continue to give you space, but if you ever need me...Please, remember I’m here.”

With a nod, she almost whispered, “Okay.”

“Get some rest, a’ight?”

Her mouth opened and closed, and Atlas held his breath...waiting for the invitation.

“We can’t be together, Atlas,” she said as if it was more for herself than him.

“I know, baby.”

“And . . . . I don’t want to play with your emotions.”

“I understand.”

Sitting up, she looked around her empty room. “Can you...Can you come to the hotel? I just feel really emotional and alone right now.”

“I’ll be there in less than an hour.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Atlas could barely contain himself as he ended the call and showered. Regardless of how often Sade said they couldn’t be together, she was his, and he wouldn’t stop until she realized that.