"Let me borrow your name."
Atlas’s brows rose as her voice echoed through the quiet office. Then, the corner of his mouth briefly curled upward.
"I’m borrowing Mrs. Bennet’s name," Lola clarified, watching him slowly turn around to face her. His shadow shielded half her body, but her eyes stayed fixed on him.
Now that she’d said it, her grip loosened. She nodded to herself and exhaled the heaviness in her chest.
"What I mean is, you introduced me as your wife to Lawrence Young and Jasmine Young," she explained calmly. "Since then, Jasmine Young has been bothering me to meet up with her. I don’t think it’s right to pose as Mrs. Bennet when I know I’m not."
Although Lola had deliberately planned this "misunderstanding," she wanted to exploit it with all her heart. Still, she needed his approval. After all, it was his family name she was using.
"Was that what’s been bothering you today?" he hummed, sauntering toward her.
Atlas leaned back against the front of his desk, legs stretched toward her. His hands rested casually on either side of him, his eyes locked on hers.
"What do you mean—"
"Something happened," he cut her off. "Am I wrong?"
Lola bit her tongue, lips pursed, unable to look away. She had done her best to conceal the turmoil boiling in her heart this morning. She thought she’d hidden it perfectly, but this man—
He just has to see through me every single damn time.
At this point, she wasn’t sure if she liked that or not. But it didn’t matter.
"No, it’s not that," she admitted. "It’s something else. Something... more personal."
Atlas raised his brows, waiting for clarification. However, she shook her head.
"It’s too personal," she said firmly. "I can’t tell you the details. I’m sorry."
As always, he took his time to answer. "You want to borrow the name Mrs. Atlas Bennet?"
"Can I?"
"Let me think," he murmured, crossing his arms as he rubbed his chin.
His languid reaction drew a frown to her face. He hadn’t hesitated when he’d introduced her as his wife before—in fact, it was his idea. She was only asking now out of courtesy, even though Slater had already told her she was free to use it.
Besides, while she couldn’t share the horrific details of her past, she still wanted him to know that someone was using his name.
"I don’t have a problem with that." Finally, Atlas spoke, holding her gaze. But just as she was about to smile, he continued, "But... it may not be the word you used, but I don’t take marriage lightly."
His eyes sharpened as he repeated her own words back to her, deliberately and slowly.
"Not long ago, someone said these exact words: Even with a legal contract—or rather, especially if it involves a legal contract or anything done for benefits—I don’t want it. Because for her, marriage is very important. Sacred. It shouldn’t be tainted by anything other than love. Nothing more, nothing less."
Atlas’s lips curved into a subtle smile as he wiggled his brows slightly. "I kept thinking about it, and that changed my life and outlook on marriage."
"..." Lola almost choked on air.
Those were her words. Exactly her words—the same ones she’d told him not long ago when he’d brought up adopting her.
Who would have thought those words would come back to choke her weeks later?
"Wow... what an exercise of memory," she muttered flatly, her expression deadpan. "Way to take revenge, Atlas."
"I take everything to heart, Lola Young."
That was why everyone knew he was vengeful. He never forgot. He simply let everything simmer until the perfect chance to strike.
Lola opened her mouth but shut it again.
"Right," she breathed out, nodding before laughter slipped out of her lips. She touched her neck, shaking her head as more chuckles spilled.
How silly of me, she thought. Why come here? Why ask for his help when I know I can do it without him?
Lola had reached this far relying mostly on herself. She trusted Silo and Amala now, yes, but back then it had been only her. Even now, most of the weight and responsibility rested on her shoulders.
There was no reason for her to be here, borrowing Mrs. Bennet’s name.
Lola Young could handle it. Or rather—Taz.
If there was one thing Lola, or Taz, had learned in life, it was that nothing ever came easy. The option she was reaching for now wasn’t her only path forward—it was simply the more convenient one.
"Thanks, Atlas." Lola’s eyes snapped back to him, a smile tugging at her lips. "For reminding me of my own belief. You’re right."
There was no reason to abandon her beliefs just because others had no qualms trampling over them.
He nodded. "You’re welcome."
She smacked her lips and shrugged. "I came here to ask for that, but what I got is so much better." Taking a step back, she added, "My head’s clear now. Thanks."
He didn’t answer, but he nodded. Lola lingered for a few seconds before stepping back again.
"Anyway, thank you for giving me your time," she said. "I’ve taken enough of it—bye."
With that, Lola turned on her heel and walked away. A part of her felt slightly humiliated, but not enough to weigh her down. If anything, the burden on her shoulders felt lighter, her mind clearer than before.
There was something in what he’d said that reminded her never to forget who she was. In this war, Lola’s greatest strength was herself—her pain, her determination to claim her life, and everything that had shaped her into who she was today.
But just as she neared the door, her steps halted at the sound of his calm voice.
"You can have it, though."
"What?" Her brows knitted as she looked back at him. The moment she did, she caught him already walking toward her.
Atlas stopped just a step away, lowering his head and tilting it slightly to meet her eyes.
"Mrs. Atlas Bennet," he said evenly. "You can’t borrow it, but I’ll let you have it."