Chapter 4 : Escape

She gratefully hugged the tall man who had opened the door for her.

" Are you okay, ma'am? Should we tell the Mayor about it ?" the man inquired.

"No, not this time. I know I can't win against my husband without strong evidence. Take this and consider it as a gift," she gave him money, the man refused but Athena insisted. " Please return to your duties and act as if nothing has happened. Thank you once again. " Athena replied, her mind made up as she swiftly descended the stairs.

Heading towards her car, Athena noticed Necky's getting something inside the car, but she maintained her composure and walked briskly towards her Lexus RX.

"Hey, hey, wait," Necky called out.

Athena took a deep breath before turning to face her.

"Hello, May I help you, Ms.Necky Koshiba?" Athena greeted her with a smile.

"Where the hell are you going? Did Orion allow his poor dog to leave?" Necky inquired as she approached her.

"Yeah…yeah. " Athena nodded. "Actually, he asked me to return to the hospital as new pieces of medical equipment have arrived, and I need to inspect them immediately. " Athena responded in a good way but inwardly she wanted to punch her face.

"Hmm, it's strange that Orion allowed you to go without him. Well, I don't really care. Carry on with your trivial job, as I am about to take the spotlight tonight, and the world will once again admire my perfect beauty. " Necky remarked in a boastful manner.

"Good for you. Best of luck. But I'm sorry I've to leave now, I'm running late. May I?" she said as she checked her watch.

"Okay, Shoo, wof .. wof..." Necky dismissed her with a hand gesture.

Athena hurriedly entered her car and successfully left the house, heading straight to the coffee shop where her best friend Elaine worked as the owner.

Seeing Athena's car pull up, Elaine left the shop to greet her. "Hey, tell me if the plan's working?" she asked as Athena stepped out of her car.

"Sorry to add to your burden, but I'm just so tired of all this. " Athena replied, making her way towards the entrance.

"No burdens here, I'm completely free, you know. Wait ... you mean no?" Elaine said, following closely behind.

"Nothing happened in our plans!"

Athena took a seat at the table on the left side of the door, resting her chin in her hands. Elaine went to the coffee machine to prepare a coffee for her friend.

"If you're thinking of leaving that hellish house without his approval. Well, that's a good choice. You teaching yourself to be tougher than before. But I'm still here for you, and you're always welcome to my place." Elaine said, placing the coffee on the table and moving the flower vase to another spot before taking a seat in front of Athena.

"Hey, You okay? Are you still there?" Elaine asked when she noticed Athena resting her head on the table with her hands hanging.

"The Mayor and five other individuals had a business meeting with Necky and Mr. and Mrs. Chrushvan this morning. I wanted to tell the Mayor about the true nature of my husband, and how evil he is. But Orion locked me up and threatened me. Luckily, one of the Mayor's guards helped me escape. I tried to fight back, but I was terrified of what he could do to me. I feel like I'm losing my mind. I don't know what to do anymore. I've lost my chances because I've already deleted the evidence. " Athena poured out, her words tumbling out rapidly, her voice laced with despair.

"What evidence?" Elaine inquired.

Athena sat up and gently cupped Elaine's baby cheeks with her palms, "I'm trapped, I can't handle this on my own."

"Wait, wait... I need you to calm your nerves, take a deep breath, and slow down. " Elaine said as she grasping Athena's hands for support. Athena followed her words.

"Now, tell me about the evidence you mentioned. " she urged.

Athena let out a deep sigh and returned to her position before she began, "I witnessed Orion and Mr. Koshiba having a conversation about a liver transplant for Mr.Kurushi's daughter."

"Well, that's good. They are planning to save an innocent girl. What's the problem with that?" Elaine asked.

"Yeah, they saved her, but in the most unethical way. They forcibly acquire liver from others and sell it to Mr. Kurushi. " Athena explained.

"Oh my gosh, that's outrageous!" Elaine exclaimed, standing up from her seat.

"Yeah, it's absolutely insane. Their greed for money has completely consumed them. " Athena replied.

Elaine sits down before she speaks. "There's something more to this, I believe. It can't just be about money. They are already incredibly wealthy. There must be a deeper reason behind their actions; for connections or something bigger at play. Maybe.." Elaine speculated.

"I know you're driven by your emotions, but why did you delete the video? It was the only proof that could give us power against them. You acted impulsively, Athena and frankly, it was a very foolish move. You're lucky that I have a lot of patience for you. Now, you've burdened my head today. " she rolled her eyes, taking a sip of the coffee she had given to Athena.

"What would I do with it? I have no idea. " Athena replied, her brow furrowed with deep concentration, and her hands constantly moving to her forehead in a gesture of overthinking.

Elaine's face moved closer to Athena and whispered "Well, I have an idea. What if you date some rich guys or find an old dying man? and use the money to slap their faces. " Elaine suggested.

"Wait... What? You're serious? You want me to dump my own reputation? I'm not that kind of woman, Elaine. And you know that. " Athena responded, shocked by the suggestion.

"No, of course, I know you won't. " Elaine smirks, returning to her seat." That's why I don't have an idea either. Remember, you deleted the evidence. "

Suddenly Athena's gaze fixated on something outside, and Elaine followed her line of sight.

"It's okay, just stay here. " Elaine reassured Athena when she realized that Athena was watching the gray Porsche 911 Carrera 4s car arriving.

Elaine went outside and attempted to intercept Orion, who was now rushing to enter the shop.

"I need to talk to her right now. " Orion insisted.

"Why...? Are you planning to hurt her again? Or you chain her up or lock her in a room again? Are you truly heartless, Orion? She's terrified of you, Please let her breathe. " Elaine pleaded, her grip tightening on his right arm.

"You don't have the right to interfere with the problems of our relationship. This matter is between us. Please remove your hand. " Orion demanded sternly.

"I have every right to interfere because she's my friend. I have the right to defend her from her despicable husband. You can't stop me. " Elaine asserted firmly, refusing to let go of his arm.

"F*ck that right! I know what's best for my wife, okay? Remove your hand. " Orion said forcefully, freeing himself from Elaine's grip.

Orion entered the shop and grabbed Athena's hand, pulling her out forcefully.

"Please... You hurting me... Please .. Let go of me, Orion! Stay away from me!" Athena pleaded.

"How much time have I told you not to run from me? "

"I'm calling the cops and posting this video publicly if you don't let her go. Let's see if you can protect your reputation. " Elaine threatened as she recording the scene on her phone.

" Ok...Fine." Orion said with a forced smile, raising his hands in surrender.

Athena spoke up, clutching her right hand and wincing from the pain caused by Orion's tight grip. "Why won't you set me free, Orion? I want a divorce. Please let me go. Don't worry about all the wicked things you've done. I'll carry those secrets with me until my grave, just leave me alone. You're not the same person I once loved."

"Do you really think you can live without me huh?—Fine, I'll grant your wish. " Orion replied, gripping her left arm.

He whispered, "Let's see how well you fare. But If you've made a mistake, I will make sure no matter where you go or hide yourself from me, I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth. "

He pointed his finger at her. "Put that in your small brain."

Orion returned to his car, opened the door, and added, "Oh, and one more thing. There's a condition. I will take everything valuable you have, including that car. Actually, everything you've earned is mine. You only have them because of me. It's like I'm simply reclaiming what rightfully belongs to me." And with the final words, he closed the door and drove away.

"Take everything! Thank you, " Athena responded, trying to put on a brave face, but her heart was aching. She couldn't understand why tears welled up in her eyes, memories of the loving and suffering she experienced with Orion flooding back, leaving her sobbing uncontrollably.

"You are now free, Athena. " Elaine said, embracing her tightly,

*

In the afternoon of that very same day, Athena made a brave decision to go back to the house and returned the car to Orion as they had agreed. However, her confusion grew when she noticed Necky's car in the parking area. A sense of unease washed over her, but she proceeded with a heavy heart, thinking that Orion's parents might still be inside, she entered the house, and to her dismay, she heard sounds coming from the living room—sounds of moaning of a girl. Her body trembled, and her heart raced as she approached the source. But when she laid eyes upon the scene before her, her body froze in shock. There, in a state of nakedness, were her ex-husband and Necky, engaged in intimate activities on a couch. Athena couldn't believe her eyes. She instinctively covered her mouth to stifle a gasp and quickly left the house, making sure not to be noticed by them.

Walking down the road, her mind struggled to process the betrayal she had witnessed. She hailed a taxi cab, tears streaming down her face once again, unable to contain her overwhelming emotions.