“W-what do you mean, Greta?” My voice cracked. “I gave it to you!”

“I don’t know,” Her hands found their way into her hair. “I was holding it one moment and the next, I—”

“Enough, Julia. You don’t need to cook up a story before you want to return to work.”

My heart ached. He didn’t believe me?

“No, Atlas. I am not making this up. I only did this because…” The look of resignation on his face made me sigh. “Please, trust me.”

“I trust you, Julia,” Atlas confessed. “Which is why I won’t stop you. If you want to go back, fine. But, I’m not coming along.”

“What...