Chapter 17 Ivy swallowed down the bitterness clawing at her throat , forcing her expression into one of quiet vulnerability . She lowered her gaze , her voice soft and filled with carefully measured concern . Atlas , Im just worried about you , she murmured . You havent eaten or slept in days . This isnt good for you . I believe Celeste will come back she just needs time . The mention of her name made the shadows in Atlas Whitmores eyes darken . His jaw clenched . Ivy , he said , his voice quiet but firm . From now on , lets not see each other anymore . I dont want any more misunderstandings . Ivys breath caught . Her head snapped up , disbelief flashing in her eyes . Atlas , weve known each other for so many years . How can you just cut me off like this ? But he wasnt even looking at her . His gaze remained fixed on the wedding portrait in front of him . The image of Celeste and him , forever frozen in time . This should have ended a long time ago , he continued , his tone devoid of warmth . Youre married . And Im married , too . I cant keep hurting Celeste . He exhaled slowly , like a man who had finally stopped lying to himself . I love her . I cant lose her again . The words were like a slap to Ivys face . Something inside her snapped . No ! she shrieked , her voice raw with desperation . Atlas , Im the one you love ! Its always been me ! For over a decade , its always been me ! Her breathing was ragged , her carefully composed mask crumbling . You dont love Celeste , she spat , her voice shaking . You just * pity * her ! Dont you see ? She doesnt love you either ! You know who she really loves- She stopped herself abruptly , her chest heaving . Atlas stared at her , his brows furrowing slightly . For the first time , he saw Ivy not as the unattainable woman he had once chased after , not as the person he had once put on a pedestal but as someone 19:42 Divorced From The Pretender 10.5 % Chapter 17 desperate . Desperate to hold onto him . Does Ivy love him ? The thought struck him as odd . Because if she truly had , why had she chosen to marry someone else ? For years , he had been the one following her like a shadow , always waiting , always hoping . And Ivy had never stopped him because she had loved his devotion , his attention , the way he worshipped her . But now , looking at her Atlas no longer understood her at all . A sudden * buzz * from his phone broke the silence . A message from his assistant . Two video files . Atlas tapped on them . They were grainy hospital footage an angle from a dimly lit stairwell . His hand clenched into a fist so tightly his knuckles turned white . The video ended . A suffocating silence filled the air . Slowly , he turned to Ivy . His voice was so cold , so void of warmth , that it sent a shiver down Ivys spine . Do you have anything to say for yourself ? 19:42 In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.