Very Short Summary
Boston, present day. After a chance encounter on the street, Lily Bloom and Atlas Corrigan reconnected for the first time in a year and a half following her divorce from Ryle.
As they began dating, Atlas discovered he had a twelve-year-old brother, Josh, whom his estranged mother had kept secret. When Josh started vandalizing Atlas's restaurants, Atlas took him in and eventually gained custody, helping the boy find stability and family.
Meanwhile, Lily struggled with her ex-husband Ryle's jealous reactions to her relationship with Atlas. When Ryle discovered their romance, he became threatening and physically intimidating.
Sometimes people think if they love a broken person enough, they can be what finally repairs them, but the problem with that is the other person just ends up broken, too. I can't afford to allow anyone to break me anymore.
With support from Ryle's sister Allysa and her husband Marshall, Lily stood firm against Ryle's manipulation and demanded he undergo anger management before having unsupervised visits with their daughter, Emerson. Over time, Ryle began to accept the new dynamics, even allowing Atlas to interact with Emerson.
Six months into their relationship, Atlas asked Lily to move in with him. After successfully blending their families, with Josh and Emerson adapting well to their new living situation, Atlas and Lily married in an emotional ceremony where Atlas's vows celebrated their journey from teenage love to lasting partnership.
Detailed Summary
Division into sections is editorial.
Reunion and New Beginnings
Atlas and Lily's Chance Meeting
After a year and a half of separation, Atlas Corrigan and Lily Bloom unexpectedly ran into each other on the street. Both were rushing - Atlas to handle an emergency at his restaurant, and Lily to meet her ex-husband Ryle with their daughter. Despite the hurried nature of their encounter, they shared a meaningful conversation where Atlas expressed his readiness to pursue a relationship with Lily, now that she was divorced.
First Date and Sleeping Beauty
Their first date took an unexpected turn when Lily fell asleep during the car ride to the restaurant. Atlas, rather than wake her, spent the time reading the journal she had brought him - one she had written during their teenage years. The journal detailed their first kiss and the profound impact Atlas had on her life. When Lily finally woke up, embarrassed by falling asleep, Atlas reassured her and suggested getting burgers instead. The date ended with a drive-by hug at Lily's apartment, as Atlas needed to return home to check on his newly discovered brother, Josh Corrigan.
I've spent years making excuses for why my life wasn't good enough for you to be a part of it, but Lily always fit. She was a perfect fit. I refuse to let her walk away this time without a little more effort on my part.
Family Revelations
Atlas Discovers His Brother
Atlas's life took an unexpected turn when his estranged mother contacted him after years of silence. She revealed that Atlas had a twelve-year-old brother, Josh Corrigan, who had run away from home. Atlas discovered that Josh Corrigan was the one who had been vandalizing his restaurants, sleeping in his office, and stealing food. Rather than being angry, Atlas felt protective of his brother, recognizing in Josh Corrigan's situation echoes of his own troubled childhood.
Josh's Integration into Atlas's Life
Atlas took Josh Corrigan in and began the process of becoming his legal guardian. Josh Corrigan quickly bonded with Theo, a local boy his age who acted as Atlas's informal therapist during their regular Thursday meetings. The brothers embarked on a journey to find Josh Corrigan's father, but the trip only served to strengthen their bond as Josh realized his father had never made any effort to be part of his life.
I want him to know what love is long before I did... I want him to grow up with it, wrapped in it, surrounded by it. I want him to witness it. I want us to be an example for him, and for Emerson.
Confrontations and Growth
Ryle's Reaction and Threats
The growing relationship between Atlas and Lily faced its first major challenge when Ryle discovered their connection. After finding evidence of Atlas's overnight stay at Lily's apartment, Ryle confronted her aggressively, pinning her against a door and sending threatening text messages. His volatile reaction confirmed Lily's fears about his continuing anger issues and reinforced her decision to maintain strict boundaries regarding his access to their daughter.
I realize in this moment that the hardest part about ending an abusive relationship is that you aren't necessarily putting an end to the bad moments. The bad moments still rear their ugly heads every now and then.
Standing Up to Abuse
With the support of Ryle's sister Allysa and her husband Marshall, Lily confronted Ryle about his behavior. She demanded he undergo anger management therapy and insisted that his visits with Emmy be supervised. Despite his initial resistance, Ryle eventually agreed to these terms, recognizing that his behavior was jeopardizing his relationship with his daughter.
Society has obviously been worshipping the wrong heroes this whole time because I'm convinced it takes less strength to pick up a building than it does to permanently leave an abusive situation.
Building a Future Together
Moving In and Family Integration
After six months of dating, Atlas asked Lily and Emmy to move in with him and Josh Corrigan. The transition brought its challenges, particularly in navigating the complex dynamics with Ryle. However, Ryle's gradual acceptance of the situation, demonstrated when he allowed Atlas to briefly care for Emmy, marked a significant turning point in their co-parenting relationship.
You could have fifty ex-husbands who try to make our lives hell, but as long as I have you, I will be absolutely unaffected by anyone else's negativity. That's a promise.
Wedding and New Beginnings
The story culminated in Atlas and Lily's wedding, where Atlas's vows reflected their journey from teenage love to adult partnership. He acknowledged the statistical challenges of marriage but expressed his unwavering commitment to their relationship. Their blended family - including Josh Corrigan, Emmy, and their extended support system - represented the triumph of love and resilience over past trauma.
My loyalty is to the people who bring positivity into my life. My loyalty is to the people who want to build me up and see me happy. Those are the people I'm going to make decisions about my life for.