It Starts with Us

The next morning, Josh continues to ask Atlas to search for his father, but when Atlas calls Josh’s father, he receives no response. Shortly after, Lily calls and asks if she can come over with Emerson. Her request confuses Atlas as Lily shared that she would not introduce him to her daughter for a while. When she arrives, she immediately begins to cry. Inside, she tells Atlas about Ryle’s outburst over their relationship. As the day progresses, Atlas recognizes the significance of meeting Emerson and that she “might one day end up becoming my daughter” (222). After declaring themselves officially in a relationship, Lily and Atlas discuss her custody arrangement with Ryle: She does not believe Ryle will file for joint custody due to his busy work schedule as a surgeon. She and Lily say goodbye and leave Atlas’s home.

Days after Ryle’s outburst, Lily receives a barrage of angry text messages from him, but she ignores them and attempts to focus on work. When Ryle suddenly shows up at the flower shop and attempts to apologize, Lily informs him that she will be speaking to her lawyer about his abusive behavior. Ryle storms off. Worried about Ryle’s anger towards Atlas, Lily calls Atlas to warn him.