For the longest ti, Atlas had been keeping information secure, with barely a few—only Allen—knowing the full extent of what he had been doing. It had been like this ever since he assud the role of the leader of the Order.
It had only beco stricter now because of the tampered DNA test involving the twins and Lola.
Everyone involved in the Order was given different pieces of information. This way, they could quickly narrow down the source if anything leaked. Lola knew this because Atlas often told her everything.
But it still caught her off guard when Atlas told her he trusted Scarlet with his life.
That was sothing she didn’t expect at all.
She knew he kept Scarlet around because she was useful. But she never thought he had that much confidence in her. The realization stirred mixed emotions in Lola’s heart.
Lola stayed quiet even after they reached the bedroom and freshened up. When Atlas returned and settled on the side of the bed, Lola watched him. Reclining on the mattress, her arms crossed, lips pressed into a tight line.
"Scarlet told I’m ignorant," she blurted without regret.
He paused, still seated at the edge of the bed. Atlas blinked slowly and tilted his head a little.
"Wasn’t that what you were trying to do?"
She scowled. "Baby, let translate what I said: Scarlet’s an to your wife."
"..." For a second, Atlas tried to decipher her translation because sohow, it barely made sense.
He understood Lola would appear ignorant since she wasn’t involved in the Order’s affairs. Besides, he preferred it that way. Making others think Lola wasn’t a threat was good cover. They had decided to take their ti, after all.
In other words, being called ignorant was expected. That included hearing an comnts. Lola was already too numb—her heart as hard as a rock when it ca to criticism. Two lives had trained her that well.
"Are you... jealous?" he asked after a mont of contemplation. "Because I trust her?"
Lola pouted, then nodded. "Just a bit... like a gallon of water... right in the middle of the ocean."
"Haha." He let out a shallow laugh, moving closer. Leaning against the headboard, he reached for her shoulder and pulled her close. "And why is that?"
"She’s a woman," she answered first. "And she’s pretty. She’s worked with you longer than our entire relationship. And you trust her with your life."
"Does that an you’re jealous of Allen as well?"
"Huh?"
"I trust Allen with my life too," he said, pausing. "And he’s worked with longer than you or Scarlet. He and I spent our entire pri together."
"But Allen is not a woman."
"He acts like one most of the ti."
"..."
His eyes narrowed playfully, studying his jealous little wife. "Scarlet isn’t what you think she is," he reassured gently. "She’s soone easily misunderstood. I trust her because I am certain my death is the last thing she would ever want."
Lola’s brows rose as she searched his eyes for sincerity. Atlas relaxed and kept her close.
"Scarlet has been part of the Order since birth," he continued, keeping his words concise. "Her entire existence revolves around the Order. It’s her life. And she knows that if I die, the Zorken family, the Order... and everyone carrying the family mark dies with ."
He nodded. "You can trust her. You’ll understand her better once you get to know her. I believe you’ll reach that point."
After all these years, even Allen didn’t know Scarlet that well. They worked together, but only as colleagues.
Lola let his words settle as she thought deeply. She’d disliked Scarlet for a long list of reasons—even before their previous confrontation. It all stemd from Scarlet’s obvious disdain for her and withdrawing Izu’s team from her protection, resulting in their punishnt.
A punishnt Lola would’ve carried on her conscience if they had died.
But after that, Scarlet had been quiet. Mostly because she was recovering from the loss of her toes. It had been a while since they exchanged words until tonight.
"You really think I can trust soone like her?" she asked again.
He nodded.
Lola smacked her lips before smiling. "Then I’ll trust her and give her the benefit of the doubt."
"Even so, if she bothers you, you may discipline her accordingly. Not just her, but anyone in here," he added quietly but firmly. "You are still my wife. And if anyone disapproves of it, I’ll handle every single one of them—even Sybil."
"Baby, that sounds scary," Lola baby-talked, hugging him from the side. "Please don’t talk like that. My fragile heart can’t take it."
"...Why are you talking like that?"
Lola blinked, holding her smile while staring at him. "Baby, don’t ask, okay? Just go with the flow — I’m cute."
No, it’s concerning.
He bit his tongue and leaned back, allowing her to use that pitch while she snuggled into him. Her appeased mood eased his heart, though.
All he wanted was for Lola to feel comfortable here. He knew too well what it was like to be in a foreign place without familiar faces. A month might seem long, but for him, a month was only the beginning—where signs of missing ho usually surfaced.
What he failed to realize was that Lola was already ho. She was exactly where she wanted to be: with him, with their children. Even if this place was the ninth level of hell, she would rather burn beside him than sit safe in Novera.
His thoughts halted when another mory resurfaced. He glanced down at her and cocked his head.
"Earlier..." he murmured, studying her. "What is the gift you were talking about?"
Lola froze, her smile stiffening.
Damn it, she winced internally. Right. I did tell him I had a gift for him when I was in a good mood.
Surely, she shouldn’t promise anything while happy.
Slowly, she looked up and gave him a stiff smile.
"My love," she chuckled awkwardly. "That’s my gift."
He arched a brow. "That’s not it. What is it?"
Lola bit her tongue, stopping herself from saying "blowjob." That was the gift. But that was an ultimate move—sothing to be used during ergencies. The Bennet won told her that the first ti was a thousand tis more effective in quenching a man’s anger. So, she had to reserve it for ergencies.
"A... hug?" she blurted out, but he stared blankly. "What about a kiss?"
"..."
"God damn it—" Lola sat up, already taking off her blouse. Tossing it aside, she grinned with her bare top exposed. "What about a dance?"
"A dance?"
"Uh-huh." Slowly, she crawled toward him. When she was close enough to feel his breath, she whispered, "A sexy dance."
This ti, the corners of his lips turned up as he watched her strip bit by bit, seducing him until he couldn’t take it anymore.
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