Page 84 of Atlas Uncharted

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

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

And finally—finally—peace.

Chapter 60

Atlas

The morning after court was the first time I’d woken up feeling unburdened.

The divorce was final. Ashlen was gone for good—out of our lives.

I got to wake up to Kairi’s warmth pressed against me, her breathing slow and even. My son was sleeping peacefully.

The weight that had been sitting on my chest, crushing my heart for years, was gone. I could breathe normally again.

I slipped out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake Kairi, made my way to the bathroom, then to the kitchen. The house was quiet. Peaceful. I poured myself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter, savoring the moment. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could finally move forward.

Kairi wandered in a few minutes later, her hair messy, her eyes still heavy with sleep. She smiled when she saw me—that soft, easy smile that always made my chest tighten.

“Morning,” she murmured, her voice still rough from sleep.

“Morning,” I said, handing her a cup of coffee. She took it, her fingers brushing mine, then turned and went right back the way she came. She wouldn’t be good to talk to until after she’d showered and gotten Dion ready.

Just as I finished my coffee, my phone rang, cutting through the silence of the house. Mason’s name lit up the screen. I stared at it for a moment.

Why was he calling me so early?

I answered. “Yeah?” My voice was rough, sleep still clinging to the edges.

“Turn on the news.” No hello. No explanation. Just that. His tone was tight, urgent.

I didn’t ask questions. I made my way from the kitchen to the living room. The remote was in my hand before I could think, the TV flickering to life.

And there she was.

Ashlen.

Her face filled the screen, her professional headshot staring back at me—polished, perfect.

BREAKING NEWS: BODY FOUND IN TAMPA BAY LAST NIGHT AROUND SIX P.M. IDENTIFIED AS 31-YEAR-OLD ASHLEN CARTER.

My eyes were locked on the screen. The anchor’s voice was clear despite the noise in my head.

“Authorities report that Carter’s body was discovered early this morning near Bayshore. The cause of death has yet to be determined. However, sources close to the investigation claim foul play is suspected.”

Foul play.

The words echoed, sharp and unrelenting.

Someone killed her.

Kairi’s footsteps broke through the noise, soft but unmistakable.

“Why is the TV so—” She stopped, her breath catching. “What the fuck?”

I let the mug I was holding slip from my hand. It hit the floor with a dull thud.

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