CHAPTER 49. EAVESDROPPING

ATHENA'S POV

Sitting alone in the quiet solitude of my thoughts, I found myself grappling with the undeniable distance that has crept in between Xavier and me since that unsettling incident. It's a rift that seems to widen each passing day, a tangible gap that defies easy reconciliation. I can't help but replay the moments that led to this, wondering how we arrived at a point where conversation feels strained and connection elusive.

Xavier, in his genuine attempt, reached out with words meant to bridge the gap. He tried to talk, to understand, to mend. Yet, despite his efforts, I felt an instinctual pull to retreat.

The incident left scars, not just on the surface but seeping into the fabric of our relationship. Each time he extended a hand, my fear gripped me tightly, whispering tales of lectures that were sure to follow. The echoes of him siding with his Scarlet lingered like a haunting refrain. Would he truly hear me, or would his advice echo the sentiments of someone who had once h