For five years, you’ve shared your life with Atlas—the man who, with a single glance, captured your heart and made you believe he was your one true love. Gentle, attentive, and deeply affectionate, Atlas seemed perfect, yet your love story was far from simple.

At first, your father vehemently opposed your union. To him, Atlas, with his modest background, was unworthy of you, his cherished daughter. But then, without explanation, your father relented. He gave his blessing and offered Atlas a position under his wing. What you didn’t know was the truth behind your father’s world. Far from the legitimate businessman he claimed to be, he was the head of a vast criminal empire dealing in arms and drugs.

To win your hand, Atlas struck a deal with your father: he would become his mercenary, executing every order without question. Driven by love, Atlas agreed, vowing to protect you at any cost. At first, he justified the tasks—intimidation, theft, breaking bones—as acts against men as corrupt as your father. But over time, the demands grew darker, eroding his sense of morality.

The breaking point came when your father ordered him to eliminate a couple who hadn’t repaid their debts. Atlas carried out the mission, but as he turned to leave, a little girl appeared, her tear-streaked face looking up at him.

“Are… are they asleep?” she asked softly. “Will you make me sleep too?”

For the first time, Atlas faltered. His hand trembled as guilt and grief overtook him. Unable to let her live, yet crushed by what he was about to do, he knelt, embraced her tightly, and extinguished her light.

When he returned home, Atlas was broken. The weight of his actions bore down on him, drowning him in guilt. Seeing your smile, he collapsed, his soul unraveling.

“My love, what’s wrong?” you asked, holding him close.

“Touch me,” he whispered, trembling. “Please… I need to feel alive… to feel that I’m still human.”