"Hahaha." Lola laughed as she leaned back on the swivel chair. "Baby, you didn’t have to be so hard on him."
"I am not being hard on him." Atlas continued reading the files. "I was intrigued."
Once the squad left, only the two of them remained. It had beco a habit since the fall of Ravah. Despite everything, Lola still made ti for her husband, and likewise, Atlas always found ti in the evening to accommodate his wife.
"Although I understand it wasn’t his fault that they were captured, Haji recklessly put himself in danger," he continued. "Far too many tis."
That shut Lola up imdiately. Compared with Haji, she was running second for the most reckless award. Perhaps, even first.
And when one was guilty as charged, it was best to stay quiet and egg on the judge.
"You’re right, babe." Lola nodded solemnly. "Haji was very reckless. I an, how could he beat himself up like that, right? So crazy. That guy’s insane!"
"Though I understand his determination, such an act would only last him for a mont," Atlas said. "Had it not been for you carrying the entire mission, things could’ve turned very bad."
"Baby, I don’t think I carried the entire team. I an, Haji and Allen were the ones who chose the people for this mission," she humd, rubbing her chin. "So I’m certain they picked people they deed perfect for it."
She shrugged. "Besides, I think even if we’d sent other people, they would’ve done just as fine as we did."
Atlas leaned back and stopped looking at the papers. He spun his chair slightly and faced her.
"You truly believe that?" he asked, and she nodded.
"Why?" Lola tilted her head. "You think otherwise?"
Atlas didn’t answer imdiately. He rocked his head slowly. "I think... if Allen and Haji had picked soone else, this would’ve most definitely failed."
For others, the fall of Ravah might have seed easy. But even if soone else picked a fight with the territory and still won, it wouldn’t have been like this.
The only reason Ravah fell overnight was because of Lola, Haji, and especially Himari.
"Your influence here runs deeper than you’re willing to admit, darling," he explained. "If I hadn’t listened to you and allowed you to stay behind, there’s a high chance Jarvis would’ve escaped."
Lola thought about it and rocked her head. "Don’t forget to include yourself in that, my love."
"Although everyone did their fair share in taking Ravah down, I’ve been thinking about what could’ve happened if you weren’t here," she added. "You ordered people to keep your participation a secret. anwhile, my involvent was very public. So if the enemy had been watching us, it’s safe to conclude they expected you to show up as well."
"What I’m saying is, if you hadn’t co with , they wouldn’t have abandoned Ashkar. If anything, I think... you’re right." She smacked her lips. "The scenario would’ve been Ashkar sending aid here, then suppressing the freedom fighters and the outsiders."
Perhaps it was luck, or heaven siding with them.
But regardless, the team they ford was perfect for the job. Then there was Atlas’s decision, and Lola’s personal investnt in the mission.
"Baby, are we lucky?" Lola pushed herself up and hopped onto his side, propping her butt against the edge of the table, in front of him, hands braced on either side. "I’ve been asking myself that for days. It just feels... perfect."
If even one role had been filled by soone else, things could’ve turned out differently.
Atlas slowly reached for her hand, guiding it toward him. He pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles, making her smile.
"Co here," he said, pulling her gently until she settled onto his lap.
"Hmm." She humd, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head against him. "I missed you today, my love, my sun, my forever."
He chuckled, stroking her back. "You said that this morning too."
"And I missed you again," she pouted, burying her face into his shoulder before lifting it and resting her chin there. "And I really miss our kids. Calling them just makes sadder."
"I know," he murmured, patting her back. "We’ll be going ho soon."
"How soon?" She muttered, closing her eyes. "Rebuilding Ravah isn’t easy, especially with the shortage of food and resources."
Even with Halvik and Ashkar’s aid, it wasn’t enough. The Zorken Family had resources, but they couldn’t bleed themselves dry. Atlas could ask the nations under the family to help, but even that required discussion.
"I’m sorry, boo," she whispered. "I gave you more work."
Atlas chuckled. "There’s no need to apologize. I made the decision myself."
"But admit it or not, I influenced it."
Atlas often claid no one could sway his decisions, but that was slowly changing. Lola made him want to be a better leader—no, a better person.
"I’ve thought about it carefully," he said, fingertips tracing her back. "And I’ve concluded that rebuilding Ravah won’t be that difficult."
Her brows twitched as she lifted her head to look at him. "You figured out where to get the resources?"
"Mhm." He nodded, studying her bright, curious eyes. The corner of his lips curled as he leaned in to steal a kiss.
Lola blinked and touched her lips instinctively. "Did I say sothing cute that made you kiss ? Tell . I’ll say it a hundred tis."
"Where I’m getting the resources was planned even before I decided to take over Ravah," he clarified. "And thanks to you ordering Florida to find leverage on Henrik, I have sothing to force him into sparing Ravah his resources."
He smiled faintly. "It’ll be easier to make him comply."
Lola blinked, then realized the Bellemonte family was the wealthiest among the founding families. If it was them, Ravah’s financial issues would be solved.
"Oh... I didn’t think of that," she muttered.
"What were you thinking when you ordered Florida to dig up dirt on Henrik?"
She shrugged. "So I could bully him freely...?"
"..."
"Hehe." Lola shifted comfortably on his lap, arms resting on his shoulders. "Baby, you’re a genius. Gosh... I’m falling for you all over again. How is that possible? How can I fall in love with the sa man over and over?"
Atlas didn’t respond, but sohow, his exhausted mind translated her affection into a single thought:
"You want baby number three?"
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