Third one for today. Happy reading!
ALEX“You look like shit.” Luca leans back in his chair, brown eyes sweeping over me like he’s confirming a diagnosis.“Shit doesn’t cover it,” Iann chimes in, and I throw him a glare that lacks the heat it usually carries.They're both right. I do look like hell.“Should I pour you a drink?” Luca offers, but I shake my head.“Rayen’s birthday party starts in an hour. I’m not showing up stinking of whiskey.”Luca whistles. “Look at you being responsible.”I rub at my temples, head throbbing from more than just the sleepless nights. “I just… I don’t get it.”That makes them both pause. I never start conversations like this. I usually keep things buried, neat, and tucked somewhere no one can find them, but something’s been cracking lately. “Get what?” Luca edges me on.“Athena.” Her name feels like gravel in my throat. “She’s been… amazing with Rayen. Like really good to him. He's already sent me a picture of the gift she just took to him, some Lego game, and he swears it's the bes
ALEX“I… I thought he was with Athena,” she says, her voice cracking. “He said he wanted to show her something. I assumed he’d gone to her. He always runs off to her and he’s always fine so I thought he was fine!”Her words slam into me like a freight train.I turn sharply, my eyes narrowing. “So you just let him go? You didn’t follow him?”“We were all getting ready for the cake,” she cries, “Everyone was there. He disappeared so fast, and it wasn’t until we were calling everyone to come back that we noticed him and Athena were still missing.We called Athena, but she hadn’t seen him. Then we started looking…God, Alex, we found him lying in the snow near the trees. He must’ve fallen, oh my God.”Her voice is a sob now, but it doesn’t reach me. I’m too far gone.“You should’ve called me immediately!” I roar, my nose flaring. “You waited? You waited until now to tell me my son was unconscious and freezing in the goddamn snow?!”“Alex, please-”“No!” I snap, my eyes searching for Leah, w
ATHENA I freeze when Leah lunges forward, her voice sharp and wild, slicing through the tense silence like a blade, making everyone halt their movements. Her eyes are full blazed, angry as she stands before me,“I don’t want Athena or her blood anywhere near my son!”The words hang in the air, loud, raw, and cruel.Every head in the waiting room turns.I slowly pull my hand back from Alex’s arm as if I’ve been burned.“What?” I whisper, my voice barely audible. I heard her when she warned me to stay away from her son, and I respected that. Also, it's not my fault he kept coming to see me. What should I have done, kicked him out?He's a child for crying out loud. Even I who hates both his parents, put that hate aside, and played with him.“Leah!” Ariana gasps beside her, eyes wide in horror.Even the nurse holding the clipboard is shocked by the outburst.One would think I pushed the child myself. “Why?” I ask quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. “Why are you so angry at me for
ATHENAI thought the black box Marcus gave me would unsettle the pit in my stomach. Well, guess what… I was wrong.Because my heart has been on that text since I left Rayen recovering in the hospital a week ago.“UNKNOWN:I know what happened to your child.”I tried to call the number. It was off. Still is. And now, instead of fear, it’s anger burning beneath my skin like wildfire..How dare they try to play with me?Do they have any idea what it means to lose a child? Do they understand that kind of pain? The kind that never heals never softens, never lets go?That’s not something you dangle over someone’s head like a cruel joke, then switch off your damn phone and vanish into silence.I looked like I had seen a damn ghost as I came up with an excuse to avoid Ariana’s questioning gaze. I should’ve deleted that message. But I didn’t.Because a tiny, maddening part of me, the same part that still dreams of tiny fingers and lullabies in the middle of the night, hopes it’s rea
ATHENA “Stay in the car while I check out the area.” Zayan says as he unbuckles his belt and pulls a damn gun from the dash, making my eyes widen in shock.“My dad is running for office. It makes me a target during campaigns.” He explains, making me press my lips together. “I didn't say anything.”Zayan smirks, catching the silent judgment in my eyes anyway. “You didn’t have to.”I roll my eyes, but inside, I’m thankful. I hate that I’m thankful. Because this shouldn’t be happening. I shouldn’t be here, chasing ghosts and clutching to the thin thread of a maybe.He steps out of the car, scanning the surroundings like a trained agent,making me wonder how many things he can do. He's an excellent doctor, a great rider, and now he looks like a spy in disguise. Who am I friends with?I follow him as I approach the building, ensuring whoever is here is able to see I didn't go against our agreement . “I told you to stay in the damn car, Athena!” He hisses, but I just shake my head. He le
ATHENA Anna’s words hit me like a truck, and I feel like I’ve just been kicked in the chest. Air escapes my lungs in a wheeze. My hands curl into fists on the table, nails biting into my palms until it stings.“I thought she went abroad and gave birth a month later than I did.” My eyes are bloodshot red, and I can barely keep my voice steady. “There was no baby. As far as I know. I don't know whose child they switched with, but Leah didn't go anywhere. She's been around the whole time, and they probably made the date a month later to avoid suspicion. Maybe they feared Mr. King will notice a few things that show she's guilty.”“Why?” I whisper, barely able to breathe. “Why would she… do something so evil?”“I don’t know,” Anna replies, her voice trembling now. “But she wasn’t alone. There were people helping her, people with influence. This wasn’t just about jealousy or revenge. I'm so sorry, Athena. I understand you're angry and you'll want to report me.”I laugh.A cold hallow soun
“Dr Dawson!” Rayen- my son runs towards me, and I kneel with open arms.As he runs, my heart tags in disappointment with myself.How could I not have seen it?The black hair, the birthmark. He looks like the spitting image of Alex, but still, I should have known.“I'm much better! I missed you so much.” He buries his head in my chest, and something tugs at my heart strings and tears begin to fall.I pull him closer, clinging to him like I’ve just surfaced from drowning. My fingers thread through his hair, and the first sob slips past my lips. Then another. Silent at first, then louder, more broken. Tears stream down my cheeks, hot and blinding. I can't stop. Because for the first time in years, I’m holding him not as a child I've doted on, but as my son.And he doesn’t even know he’s mine.I know I haven't confirmed it yet, but I'm more sure of it this time than I ever was. Rayen pulls back, his little fingers brushing my face with concern wrinkling his three-year-old forehead.
ATHENAI’ve had so many situations that took my breath away. Literally.But the man standing here before me, with his jaw clenched and eyes that flicker like a storm about to strike tops the list by far. My mouth dries up. My pulse screams in my ears. And for a second, I forget to breathe altogether.I crouch down quickly, stuffing the toothbrush back into the resealable bag like it’s nothing more than a spilled pen. Casual. Cool. Calm. All the things I am absolutely not right now. His shoes move closer, and they match the fast beating of my heart.Ta ta ta taSilence.When I look up, I realize the sound had stopped because he's now close. “You didn't answer me,” he says, his voice lower now. My fingers fumble with the zipper of my purse. “Rayen asked me to get him something,” I lie, though my voice wavers near the end. “I was just grabbing it.”Or I could have just said he invited me, but that's even worse. A three year old invites you, and you end up stealing?Oh God!
ATHENAThe breath I didn’t know I’d been holding finally escapes my lungs. The paper slips from my fingers, fluttering softly to the floor, but I don’t reach for it.I can’t move.I’m frozen in place, staring blankly. As a wave of emotions crashes over me with such force, it nearly knocks the air from my chest as I read the results over and over again. Paternity Results;Athena Dawson and Rayen King: 99.9% Match.Rayen is mine.He’s mine.My baby didn’t die. He didn’t die that day in the hospital like they told me.I wasn’t crazy.I didn’t imagine his little fingers curling around mine. The way I knew, deep in my soul, that he existed even when no one believed me.Tears burn my eyes, blurring the world around me, and I lift my trembling hand to cover my mouth. A choked sob escapes before I can stop it. Zayan is suddenly beside me again, his arm wrapping around my shoulders, anchoring me before I drown in the storm.“If I say I suspected it before I saw his birthmark, then I must b
ATHENAI’ve had so many situations that took my breath away. Literally.But the man standing here before me, with his jaw clenched and eyes that flicker like a storm about to strike tops the list by far. My mouth dries up. My pulse screams in my ears. And for a second, I forget to breathe altogether.I crouch down quickly, stuffing the toothbrush back into the resealable bag like it’s nothing more than a spilled pen. Casual. Cool. Calm. All the things I am absolutely not right now. His shoes move closer, and they match the fast beating of my heart.Ta ta ta taSilence.When I look up, I realize the sound had stopped because he's now close. “You didn't answer me,” he says, his voice lower now. My fingers fumble with the zipper of my purse. “Rayen asked me to get him something,” I lie, though my voice wavers near the end. “I was just grabbing it.”Or I could have just said he invited me, but that's even worse. A three year old invites you, and you end up stealing?Oh God!
“Dr Dawson!” Rayen- my son runs towards me, and I kneel with open arms.As he runs, my heart tags in disappointment with myself.How could I not have seen it?The black hair, the birthmark. He looks like the spitting image of Alex, but still, I should have known.“I'm much better! I missed you so much.” He buries his head in my chest, and something tugs at my heart strings and tears begin to fall.I pull him closer, clinging to him like I’ve just surfaced from drowning. My fingers thread through his hair, and the first sob slips past my lips. Then another. Silent at first, then louder, more broken. Tears stream down my cheeks, hot and blinding. I can't stop. Because for the first time in years, I’m holding him not as a child I've doted on, but as my son.And he doesn’t even know he’s mine.I know I haven't confirmed it yet, but I'm more sure of it this time than I ever was. Rayen pulls back, his little fingers brushing my face with concern wrinkling his three-year-old forehead.
ATHENA Anna’s words hit me like a truck, and I feel like I’ve just been kicked in the chest. Air escapes my lungs in a wheeze. My hands curl into fists on the table, nails biting into my palms until it stings.“I thought she went abroad and gave birth a month later than I did.” My eyes are bloodshot red, and I can barely keep my voice steady. “There was no baby. As far as I know. I don't know whose child they switched with, but Leah didn't go anywhere. She's been around the whole time, and they probably made the date a month later to avoid suspicion. Maybe they feared Mr. King will notice a few things that show she's guilty.”“Why?” I whisper, barely able to breathe. “Why would she… do something so evil?”“I don’t know,” Anna replies, her voice trembling now. “But she wasn’t alone. There were people helping her, people with influence. This wasn’t just about jealousy or revenge. I'm so sorry, Athena. I understand you're angry and you'll want to report me.”I laugh.A cold hallow soun
ATHENA “Stay in the car while I check out the area.” Zayan says as he unbuckles his belt and pulls a damn gun from the dash, making my eyes widen in shock.“My dad is running for office. It makes me a target during campaigns.” He explains, making me press my lips together. “I didn't say anything.”Zayan smirks, catching the silent judgment in my eyes anyway. “You didn’t have to.”I roll my eyes, but inside, I’m thankful. I hate that I’m thankful. Because this shouldn’t be happening. I shouldn’t be here, chasing ghosts and clutching to the thin thread of a maybe.He steps out of the car, scanning the surroundings like a trained agent,making me wonder how many things he can do. He's an excellent doctor, a great rider, and now he looks like a spy in disguise. Who am I friends with?I follow him as I approach the building, ensuring whoever is here is able to see I didn't go against our agreement . “I told you to stay in the damn car, Athena!” He hisses, but I just shake my head. He le
ATHENAI thought the black box Marcus gave me would unsettle the pit in my stomach. Well, guess what… I was wrong.Because my heart has been on that text since I left Rayen recovering in the hospital a week ago.“UNKNOWN:I know what happened to your child.”I tried to call the number. It was off. Still is. And now, instead of fear, it’s anger burning beneath my skin like wildfire..How dare they try to play with me?Do they have any idea what it means to lose a child? Do they understand that kind of pain? The kind that never heals never softens, never lets go?That’s not something you dangle over someone’s head like a cruel joke, then switch off your damn phone and vanish into silence.I looked like I had seen a damn ghost as I came up with an excuse to avoid Ariana’s questioning gaze. I should’ve deleted that message. But I didn’t.Because a tiny, maddening part of me, the same part that still dreams of tiny fingers and lullabies in the middle of the night, hopes it’s rea
ATHENA I freeze when Leah lunges forward, her voice sharp and wild, slicing through the tense silence like a blade, making everyone halt their movements. Her eyes are full blazed, angry as she stands before me,“I don’t want Athena or her blood anywhere near my son!”The words hang in the air, loud, raw, and cruel.Every head in the waiting room turns.I slowly pull my hand back from Alex’s arm as if I’ve been burned.“What?” I whisper, my voice barely audible. I heard her when she warned me to stay away from her son, and I respected that. Also, it's not my fault he kept coming to see me. What should I have done, kicked him out?He's a child for crying out loud. Even I who hates both his parents, put that hate aside, and played with him.“Leah!” Ariana gasps beside her, eyes wide in horror.Even the nurse holding the clipboard is shocked by the outburst.One would think I pushed the child myself. “Why?” I ask quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. “Why are you so angry at me for
ALEX“I… I thought he was with Athena,” she says, her voice cracking. “He said he wanted to show her something. I assumed he’d gone to her. He always runs off to her and he’s always fine so I thought he was fine!”Her words slam into me like a freight train.I turn sharply, my eyes narrowing. “So you just let him go? You didn’t follow him?”“We were all getting ready for the cake,” she cries, “Everyone was there. He disappeared so fast, and it wasn’t until we were calling everyone to come back that we noticed him and Athena were still missing.We called Athena, but she hadn’t seen him. Then we started looking…God, Alex, we found him lying in the snow near the trees. He must’ve fallen, oh my God.”Her voice is a sob now, but it doesn’t reach me. I’m too far gone.“You should’ve called me immediately!” I roar, my nose flaring. “You waited? You waited until now to tell me my son was unconscious and freezing in the goddamn snow?!”“Alex, please-”“No!” I snap, my eyes searching for Leah, w
ALEX“You look like shit.” Luca leans back in his chair, brown eyes sweeping over me like he’s confirming a diagnosis.“Shit doesn’t cover it,” Iann chimes in, and I throw him a glare that lacks the heat it usually carries.They're both right. I do look like hell.“Should I pour you a drink?” Luca offers, but I shake my head.“Rayen’s birthday party starts in an hour. I’m not showing up stinking of whiskey.”Luca whistles. “Look at you being responsible.”I rub at my temples, head throbbing from more than just the sleepless nights. “I just… I don’t get it.”That makes them both pause. I never start conversations like this. I usually keep things buried, neat, and tucked somewhere no one can find them, but something’s been cracking lately. “Get what?” Luca edges me on.“Athena.” Her name feels like gravel in my throat. “She’s been… amazing with Rayen. Like really good to him. He's already sent me a picture of the gift she just took to him, some Lego game, and he swears it's the bes