Soulless

Bonus Chapter

Lunden Thayer

There were moments where I couldn't help but stare at Atlas and laugh. But now, it was for a more heartwarming but concerning reason.

He'd been on this campus longer than I had but now he seemed like a lost puppy. We were back on the Boston campus for the first time in three years. For some reason, it wasn't as scary as I thought. He was taking the place of a professor teaching his old seminar who called out sick toward the end of the first semester.

Nobody here even knew who I was. But Atlas was like Rudolph, with his nose so shiny and bright. The faculty recognized and remembered him quickly. So did some students who must've been first years going through hell in that class.

I was on campus to collect my diploma in person even though I had finished my degree online years ago. They failed to ship it to me. Atlas convinced me to come in person instead of grabbing it for me. Luckily, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, but Atlas did. This is why two professors were walking toward us while he was already making small talk with one another.

"This is my wife, Lunden." I turned to Dr.Adler, who recognized me the second I looked at him. He was my freshman seminar teacher, and I had half-assed his class. We both knew it.

"Evergreen," he cuts in. "I never forget a face... I didn't know you'd gotten married or to Lunden," He steps forward, shaking my hand. "The only one who would argue with me in my own class." I can't help but suck in my lips. His points were dry and biased at points and I had no other options.

"Yeah, we've been married for three years today," he cuts in. He claimed to have something special planned, but I told him there was no need. I'd rather spend the holiday finally back at the home we've desperately missed. We'd popped in a few times over the years and had people do the upkeep. I was just happy to be spending Thanksgiving here next weekend. There was nothing quite like fall in Boston, and that's something I cherished.

"Well, congratulations to you both. I'm about to be late for a meeting. It was great seeing you." He quickly raced off as my arm wrapped around Atlas's. He remained notorious for being a major grump and the hottest professor.

There was a new wave of students on this campus. Everyone I knew was gone, except for the freshman class, now seniors, of which I didn't know a single one.

Being here with my husband felt full circle. We stepped into Joe's and placed our orders. I got a peppermint hot chocolate, and he got a black bitter coffee. He found no joy in fun drinks and made sure to make a face at mine.

Some things never change.

"Thayer!" The barista shouts, and Atlas quickly swipes my cup, taking a sip first before I can. He makes a face once more in regret. He was about to complain about there being too much sugar. Still, he brought this on himself, stealing my cup.

"Now I know exactly where Aleidha got her no-sharing manners from. She's been taught by the best." Atlas chuckles at my words and presses a kiss to the side of my head. He'd finished up his classes for the day, which meant he got some "me" time.

I was now enrolled in law school at Boston University, which left us both endlessly busy. The time we had for ourselves was for our children. Being their parents came first above all.

Today was a better day because my classes were canceled. Fortunately, they were online, but now that I was back in the city, I was taking in-person classes next semester. The thought of sending my babies to daycare seemed like my absolute personal hell.