Page 69 of Atlas Uncharted

“It’s not a threat. It’s reality,” I said simply. “You need to stop interfering, or else.”

Ashlen let out a bitter laugh. “You really think this is over because you threaten us, don’t you? She assaulted me, Atlas. I won’t let this slide.”

“Do whatever you need to do,” I said, stepping toward the door. “And suffer the consequences.”

I left them standing there, ignoring their words as I walked out.

By the time I got back to Kairi’s house, the tightness in my chest had only gotten worse. I didn’t know what I was walking into, but I braced myself for anything.

Kairi was sitting on the couch, her hands still trembling. When she looked up at me, her eyes were red, but there was a defiant spark in them.

“I’m not sorry for beating her ass. Fuck her,” she said, her voice firm.

I sighed, sitting down beside her. “I know.” That was all I said. I didn’t want her realizing how much me involving myself in her life had changed her life for the worse.

Chapter 50

Kairi

The online backlash was out of control now. A few fucked-up comments under my latest Instagram post had turned into thousands. Suddenly, I wasn’t just Kairi the author—I was Kairi the homewrecker, Kairi the villain, Kairi the “angry Black woman.”

It was a disaster. Everywhere I turned, there were articles twisting the truth, blog posts dissecting my life. The hashtag #CancelKairi started trending. The publishers I’d worked with for years were now “reassessing our future projects.” My inbox became a graveyard of opportunities that had been snatched away. Deals that were all but signed suddenly vanished. The projects I’d been excited to pitch were now “not a good fit at this time.”

I sat in the living room, wanting to throw my phone. The comments flooded in faster than I could block them.

“She’s disgusting. Stealing another woman’s husband and beating her up? Typical.”

“Guess that’s the last book I’ll buy from her. Gross.”

“Bet she’s using this guy to boost her career. Trash.”

I scrolled until I couldn’t anymore, until my chest felt tight and my eyes burned. I tossed my phone onto the couch and pressed my fingers to my temples, willing myself not to cry.

Atlas came into the room. He must’ve seen my face because he immediately asked, “What happened?”

I laughed, a bitter sound that barely escaped my throat. “What hasn’t happened? Ashlen’s smear campaign is working.”

“She’s lying,” he said firmly, like that made a difference. “Anyone who knows you—”

“Anyone who knows me,” I cut him off, “isn’t enough to stop my career from crumbling. My book tour? Canceled. My collaboration with that indie bookstore chain? Gone. Do you know what they said in their email? ‘We’re concerned about aligning with your personal brand.’ My personal brand? What the fuck does that even mean?”

Atlas ran a hand through his hair, his frustration barely contained. “This will pass, Kairi. People will move on.”

“But will my career survive?” I snapped, standing up. “I’ve worked my ass off to get here, Atlas. Do you know what it feels like to have it all ripped away because of some vindictive lies?”

He didn’t answer, and I could feel the frustration bubbling just beneath my skin.

“And now,” I said, my voice shaking, “she’s talking about pressing charges. Assault charges. Do you know what that’s going to look like? A court case? My name plastered everywhere for something I didn’t even start?”

Atlas took a step closer, his hands reaching for mine. “She provoked you.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said, pulling away. “You know it doesn’t matter. The only thing people will hear is that a Black woman lost her shit in some perfect white woman’s living room. I can’t win this.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but I didn’t give him the chance. “And don’t you dare say you’ll fix it. You can’t fix this, Atlas. I’m the one they’re coming for. Not you. Not her. Me.”

I started pacing, my bare feet slapping against the floor. “I should’ve known better. I should’ve stayed away from you, from this. I can’t even write. Do you know that? Every time I sit down to work, I feel like there’s no point. Who’s going to read a romance book by the villain? Not even dark romance readers like cheaters.”

Atlas moved in front of me, gently holding my shoulders to stop my pacing. “Kairi, listen to me. You are not the villain. You are not the person they’re making you out to be.”

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