Backup Girl No More: Adios To My V-Card and My First Love
Chapter 42

Chapter 2 Atlas had never truly forgotten her .

He had merely played his part pretending to love me , pretending to be the devoted husband while his heart had always belonged to someone else .

I had underestimated just how deeply he loved Ivy .

The sharp * clatter * of a phone hitting the hardwood floor snapped me out of my thoughts .

Atlass phone had slipped from his pocket , skidding to a stop at my feet .

I bent down to pick it up , and just as my fingers brushed against the sleek screen , a message popped up .

Atlas , thank you for taking drinks for me tonight .

And the necklace … I cant accept it .

Its far too precious .

A cold wave swept through me .

The next notification was worse .

A social media post from Ivy Monroe .

Love is priceless .

Attached was a photo a breathtaking diamond necklace , radiant under the soft glow of candlelight , I recognized it instantly .

The worlds only one of its kind , recently auctioned for an astronomical price one billion dollars .

A mysterious bidder had outspent everyone to claim it .

Now , I knew who that bidder was .

And Ivy ? She had posted it for me to see .

She wanted me to know .

Just last week , Atlas had been so busy that he barely had time to eat .

He had collapsed from stomach pain and been rushed to the ER .

I had been beside myself with worry , torn between anger at his negligence and heartache that he would push himself so hard .

Yet the moment he opened his eyes , he boarded a flight to England .

I had thought it was for work .

I had been furious at him for putting his job above his own health .

But now , I knew the truth .

He hadnt gone for business .

He had gone to that auction .

My Card and My First Love 32.0 % Chapter 2 .

Even in agony, doubled over from pain , Atlas had flown across the world to bid on the rarest necklace in existence for her .

A dull ringing filled my ears .

Before I could think better of it , my fingers moved on their own , typing in his passcode .

The lock screen flashed open .

It worked .

His passcode wasnt his own birthday , not mine , either .

It was hers Ivys birthday .

A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat , but I swallowed it down .

Atlas had always refused to let me see his phone , insisting that we needed personal space and boundaries .

Now I knew why .

The moment the home screen appeared , I was greeted with her facelvy smiling bright , radiant , breathtaking .

No wonder his expression softened every time he unlocked his phone .

My heart pounded as I tapped into his photo gallery .

Every album had the same format : Ivy , age 10.

Ivy , age 11.

Ivy , age 12.

All the way up to Ivy , age 25.

Hundreds thousands of photos .

Every stage of her life , carefully documented .

And in all of them , she was smiling .

I swiped through frantically , my breathing growing shallow .

Not a single picture of me .

Not even one of him .

Declam Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 32.2 % Chapter 2 Only her .

Just like his heart his entire being had revolved around her , from the very beginning .

My hands trembled as I clicked into his notes .

And then I saw it .

His diary .

[ 20XX ] Ivy scraped her knee today climbing a tree .

Its my fault I never shouldve planted them in the yard .

[ 20XX ] Ivy got married today .

As long as shes happy , nothing else matters .

My life exists to make her smile .

[ 20XX ] I got married today .

When I saw Ivy sitting in the crowd , I wished God , I wished that she was the one standing beside me .

I couldnt breathe .

My hands went numb , the phone slipping from my grip and landing on the car seat beside me .

At that moment , the vehicle turned into the long driveway of our estate .

The garden came into view .

Or what used to be a garden .

I stiffened .

Bare earth stretched before me , empty and lifeless .

Once , two beautiful peach trees had stood here trees Atlas had specially transported from my fathers old estate .

My father had planted them for me when I was ten .

They had been my connection to him , a reminder that he was still with me .

Then , one day , their roots had inexplicably rotted , and they had withered away .

I had been devastated .

Atlas had held me for three days and nights as I sobbed , whispering soothing words , stroking my hair , promising he would always be there .

Now , staring at the barren ground , realization clawed at my chest .

17:59 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 32.4 % Chapter 2 It had also been him .

The one thing my father had left me Atlas had destroyed it .

Tears blurred my vision as a final notification appeared on the phones screen .

A message from his assistant .

Mr.

Whitmore , as per your instructions , your will has been finalized .

All assets will be left to Miss Ivy Monroe .

We just need your signature for it to be effective .