Chapter 1 ~ A deal

Anthena

“Athena? Did you hear what I said?”  

A soft voice pulls me back.  

No.  

“Yes.” I force a smile.  

“Great. Don’t forget to take the medication,” Dr. Anthony says, his voice gentle yet distant, like background noise in a storm. I nod, barely absorbing his words.  

I just want to get out of here.  

When I rushed in this morning, I thought I was having a heart attack. But apparently, gas can mess you up just as badly. Who knew?  

I pick up my phone and dial my husband’s number.  

Voicemail.  

Again.  

My stomach twists. That’s not like him.  

The door swings open, and my heart jumps—only to sink just as fast. It’s not Alex. 

The disappointment is brutal, cutting straight through my chest and curling in my stomach like a fist tightening from the inside. 

Maybe it’s just the gas.  

For three years, I’ve had to walk on eggshells, knowing my marriage would end eventually.  

A deal that was never supposed to mean anything turned into my prison. Because now, I’m terrified of losing him.  

Or am I just being paranoid?  

Honestly, at this point, I might as well lose my goddamn mind.  

“Athena, how are you feeling?” Noah asks.  

“Like I’m actually having a heart attack,” I mutter, pushing myself to my feet.  

Noah is Alex’s cousin. He’s been a constant in my life since I married the man who sets my soul on fire. Like gaining a brother as a bonus.  

“Has Alex called you back yet?” I ask, my voice tighter than I intend.  

Noah shakes his head. “No. But I’m sure he’s just busy.”  

Busy.  

Yes, that must be it.  

Busy with work and not…  

Jesus, Athena, get yourself together.

I bite my bottom lip and nod, pretending that makes sense. Pretending that my gut isn’t twisting harder, whispering something I don’t want to hear.  

Noah steps forward, opening the door for me, but I barely take a step before my body locks up.  

Because I see him.  

Alexander King.  

And her.  

Leah Woods.  

I'd recognize that face anywhere. 

Perfect face, bleach blonde hair and green eyes to die for.

Looking at her, I see why she is his first love.  

My stomach drops, the air sucked from my lungs as my world stops.  

So that’s why he wasn’t answering.  

She's back.

A sharp inhale burns down my throat, but I can’t move.

 Can’t blink.  

But, does she know who I am? Will Alex change his mind?

Then, his voice cuts through my thoughts like a hot knife does in butter.

“Athena?”  

There is shock in his voice. 

I bet he didn't think he'd meet me here. His Jade green eyes look almost sorry.

“Alex.” I breathe.  

Leah looks between us, her delicate features twisting in confusion.  She touches Alex and my heart beats even faster as jealousy runs through my veins. 

I want to be able to touch him like that.

“Is she a friend?” she asks, her voice sounding weak like she is on a death bed.

My heart pounds so hard I can hear blood rushing in my ears.  

This has been our secret. Now, it seems even the secret has a secret.  

Am I even making sense?  

“I’ll tell you about it later,” Alex responds to Leah before turning to me. His tone is flat, like he’s already dismissed me. Like I’m nothing.

“What are you doing here?”  

“I—” Before I can get the words out, a loud scream cuts through the air.  

We all turn.  

Leah is on the ground.  

Tears streak down her face—full-blown sobbing, so dramatic it’s almost shocking.  

“The pain is back! Alex, please make it stop!” She cries. 

Alex, is already at her side, lifting her up, his voice urgent as he calls for help.  

I stand there. Watching.  

Too stunned to speak or move.  

“Come on. Let’s go,” Noah says gently.  

I nod.  

But my feet remain glued to the ground.  

As heavy as lead.  

Is this it?  

“Athena?” Noah calls again, and I blink up at him before finally forcing myself to move, slowly walking out of the hospital.  

---  

That night, I lay in bed, staring at my phone.  

I keep waiting for it to ring.  

For a message.  

For something.

But there’s nothing.  

Just silence.  

My body feels exhausted, but my mind won’t shut off. I haven't taken my medication because I don't want to fall asleep. I want to wait for my husband.

The pain returns.

I lie in bed and close my eyes, forcing myself to focus on the pain and not the storm brewing, but every time I do, all I see is them.  

Alex and Leah.  

Together.  

I don’t know when I finally drift off, but the next thing I know, I’m being shaken awake.  

I blink against the dim glow of the bedside lamp, my vision blurry from exhaustion.  

Alex, stands over me, his face unreadable.  

“What—?” My voice is hoarse, barely above a whisper.  

“Alex? Where have you been? Was it at the hospital?”

He doesn’t answer.

 Instead, he presses something into my hands. A brown envelope.  

I sit up, confused. My fingers tremble as I hold it.  

“What’s this?” My voice is barely steady.  

Alex steps back, his expression cold—so different from the man I know.  

The man who, even if he didn’t love me, was always kind.  

“Where I was is none of your business,” he says flatly.  

The words hit like a slap.  

I swallow down the sharp sting in my chest. “Alex…”  

His gaze is distant.

 “Have you forgotten our deal?”  

My breath catches.  

No. No, no, no.

He takes a step closer, his voice devoid of warmth.  

“Now that Leah is back…” He exhales, as if this is just a formality, as if I don’t matter. 

As if we didn't spend three years being happy. 

“Let’s get a divorce.”  

The world tilts.  

Everything inside me shatters.  My worst nightmare just came true.