As we drove, he repeatedly reminded me to stay safe these days and not to overthink.

I felt a pang of guilt and said to Atlas, "This morning, I saw Stella and Liora. I intentionally tried to start shit between them. Could it be...?"

Atlas's expression turned serious as he shook his head. "Don't overthink it. Now that he's on the ship, he'll seize the opportunity. It's just a matter of timing.

"You did nothing wrong. Keeping them together is not a good sign. Creating a rift between them and making them suspicious of each other—that's the opening we need. It leaves room for us to act. You played that strategy well."

He looked at me with a touch of tenderness. "Tonight, get some rest."

"Atlas, are you confident about finding the antidote? After all, she got hurt because of me..."

Atlas took my hand in his, looking at me meaningfully.

"You can trust me. I won't stand idly by, whether it's for you or anyone on that ship. And Jitador is my territory. I'm confident in finding the anti