Chapter 260: Good as Dead
"...how could you not remember?"
Lola’s brows furrowed in confusion. "Remember what?"
Atlas’s mouth parted, but before he could speak, his phone lit up on the counter. He clicked his tongue.
"Answer it first," she said, pinching his shirt with a small smile. "And I forgive you."
"It’s not important."
"Has your phone ever rung for unimportant things?" She wiggled her brows. "Go. Let’s talk later. I also have something to say, but... I don’t think I’m ready yet."
Atlas studied her face, sighed, and gave in. He nodded, walked back, and picked up the phone. When he saw the name on the screen, his brows knit. He glanced at her, and she gave him a nod.
"Go."
Without another word, he quietly stepped onto the balcony connected to the kitchen. Lola watched him go, smacking her lips as she thought about what he’d said.
Her heart had ached at first, but it faded the moment he apologized.
"It’s not like I don’t know he didn’t mean it that way," she whispered with a laugh. "He’s always like that."
She paused, replaying his words. "How could I not remember? What’s he talking about?"
Tilting her head, she tried to recall if he’d mentioned something recently that she’d forgotten. After a minute of wracking her brain, she shook her head.
"I’ll just ask him later," she muttered. She poured herself another glass of water, put the pitcher back in the fridge, only to freeze when the balcony door swung open. Atlas walked past her in a hurry.
"I’ll be back tonight," he said after a quick glance.
"Oh..." She blinked as he left the dining area. "I guess it was important, after all."
Much to her surprise, Atlas reappeared at the entrance, striding toward her.
"I’ll be back," he repeated, stopping right in front of her. He pressed a quick peck to her lips, drew back, and looked her in the eye. "Wait for me. We’ll talk once I come back."
"Uh... okay?"
Lola pursed her lips and nodded blankly, staring after him even after he was gone. Slowly, she touched her lips, and a smile tugged at the corners.
"Forgiven," she whispered with a chuckle before grimacing. "Damn it. I’ll really cry if he breaks up with me."
*****
Slater yawned loudly as he stepped out of the master bedroom. He had just put the twins and quadruplets to sleep, sung them a lullaby in his angelic voice, and even given them a standing-ovation performance.
"Felt like I just finished a world tour," he muttered mid-yawn.
Jogging downstairs to grab a few things before bunking with the kids, he froze in the living area. Lola sat on the couch, staring blankly at the TV.
"The TV’s on, but she’s not even watching," he whispered.
He jumped onto the couch beside her. "Sis, hello? Earth to Lola?"
She blinked, glanced at him, then sighed and turned back to the TV.
"Sis, did you and my brother fight? You look like the world just ended!" He leaned forward. "Where is he, anyway?"
"He got a phone call and said he’d be back," she answered lazily.
Slater frowned. "He what? He left? Just like that?"
"That’s what I said." She clicked her tongue. "Must be important. He practically ran out."
"That’s weird."
"Your brother is an important person. Honestly, I’m surprised he even comes home every night. A man like him should be on trips every day."
"He’s a dad," Slater said simply. "And being raised by our father... work is never an excuse to neglect family."
Lola gave him a weary smile. "He’s a good father. Unlike the one I have."
"That guy—tch." Slater clicked his tongue. "Just disown him."
"I already did. In my heart." She laughed dryly. "My father... is dead to me for as long as I can remember."
"Then why are you sad? Is it because of the man who doesn’t deserve you? Or because you miss my brother?"
"Tss." She glared weakly. "It’s not like that."
"Then what?"
Lola pressed her lips together, then turned to face him. "Slater, do you think your brother still wants children?"
"What?" He scrunched his nose. "Sis, I think you’re skipping a lot of steps! Before that, marry him first!"
"I’m just curious, alright? Just answer me." She huffed, conflicted. "I want to know if that’s his deal breaker."
Slater tilted his head, studying her. "Why? Don’t you want kids? Assuming you two tie the knot, wouldn’t you want children with him? You’re... kinda old, just saying. You’re close to being ancient."
Normally, she would’ve head-locked him for that, maybe choked him for good measure. But not tonight. Instead, she hugged a cushion and stared at the floor.
"It’s not like that," she murmured. "Whether I want it or not doesn’t matter."
"How does it not matter?"
She didn’t answer right away. Biting her lip, she whispered,
"Because I can’t."
"Huh?"
Lola slowly lifted her gaze to meet his. "I can’t get pregnant anymore, Slater. I had a forced sterilization after my accident five years ago. I can’t have children."
"Why would you—"
"Not me." Her voice dropped. "When I woke up, it was already done."
Slater’s eyes widened. His mouth parted, but no words came. He leaned forward, arms resting on his knees.
"Who..." He stopped himself, already guessing the answer. There was only one explanation for her to have a procedure done without her consent.
"After seeing your brother with your nephews today... I was amazed," she continued softly. "He may not look like the type, but I never realized how much he actually likes kids. What are the chances he and I will even work, with this between us?"
Slater’s jaw tightened. His face darkened in a way Lola had never seen before. In that moment, she finally saw that he and Atlas truly were brothers.
"If I want to kill him myself, my brother will butcher him alive if he finds out," Slater said quietly, his eyes locked on hers. "I’m not saying you should hide it from him. But Lawrence Young... surely crossed a line he shouldn’t have. He’s as good as dead."
He paused, his fist trembling as his jaw clenched. "If not my brother, I’ll kill him myself."