Thank you for reading!
LEAHSix days later…“I hope you secure a good fortune after paying ten million for a ridiculous wedding dress!” Mum snaps as she adjusts the hem of my robe.“Can we see it?” she asks, her voice softer this time, almost curious.“No," I say, flipping my hair over my shoulder. "It’s not with me. I had to do makeup first.”Dad grumbles something under his breath, still pale from the heart attack he nearly had when the bank called him.Apparently, when someone drops ten million on a dress, the financial world panics.They thought I’d lost my card. That some thief was out there playing dress-up with my future.But no. I signed the authorization myself and left a copy with the boutique, just in case I change my mind and want a refund later.Not that it matters.Ten million is nothing compared to how much I’ll be entitled to once the vows are said, and my last name is King.“In a few minutes," I remind them with a sparkling smile, "Alexander King will be your son-in-law. Do you have any ide
ATHENAFLASHBACK7 days ago….“It’s only been two hours. Don’t be so anxious,” Zayan says to me, but it does nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.Alex is unpredictable.He may think I fabricated the evidence, and that’s not even the worst that could happen. Leah could get her hands on the documents, twist the story like she always does, and paint me as a manipulator.I’m pacing the length of Zayan’s office, chewing on my nail, with nerves clawing up my throat when the door suddenly slams open, and I nearly jump out of my skin.Alex stands there like a force of nature. His shoulders are rigid, his chest is heaving, and those wild green eyes are locked onto me with pure fury.“Get the fuck out,” he growls, low and dangerous. Zayan straightens from where he’s leaning against the desk, glaring at Alex. “It’s my office,” he snaps.I flick my desperate gaze toward Zayan, silently begging him to give us a moment. Zayan hesitates for just a moment before he sighs and grabs his jacke
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 hi
Athena “Stop staring at the envelope and sign the papers, Athena.” Alex, pushes, his voice devoid of any warmth. Tears well in my eyes. My hopes are shattered. I love this man so much. “I… thought you were happy,” I whisper. “But I guess I was wrong.” Alex runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his chiseled features. Standing at six foot two, with incredibly perfect features, and short blonde hair, he is effortlessly captivating. He has always been the love of my life. Something about his eyes—so green yet so intense—makes me wonder if he’s even human. “Let’s not do this, Athena. You know we had a deal. Leah is back, and her health is weak. I can’t afford to stress her. I need to marry her.” His words are clinical as if I’m just another obstacle to be dealt with. “What about me?” My vision blurs with tears as my heart shatters. “Yes, we had a deal, but… did I mean so little to you that you can discard me like this?” His face hardens. He’s angry.
Alex“It's been three years! Why don't I have grandchildren till now Alex? Are you impotent? Should I adopt one for you?” Mum takes a jab at me and I grind my teeth so hard. Don't get me wrong, I love her. But she can be extremely annoying. “Should I leave?” I threaten her, making her pass her glass to Dad who just shrugs. Eli King may be ruthless but his wife has him wrapped around her finger. He would never take anyone else's side. Love whipped. Makes me sick to my stomach but I love it for them. “I'm sorry dear. But you know I’m right. It's been too long!”“How can they have kids when they can't even come to a function together? Makes me want to smoke a cigarette but I made a promise and you're making me want to break it!” Nana complains, joining the wagon of torture Alex day. “I had work. Noah will bring her.” I respond flatly. Ignoring her threat to start smoking again when her heart is already weak. “There she is!” Mum’s voice beams making us all turn to where she's r
ATHENA The cool wall presses into my back, but it’s nothing compared to the icy words Alex hurls at me. We arrived too early and more people are yet to come. We always do this because it gives us enough time to catch up as a family. I used to love it but tonight, I wish I didn't have to come. “You should enjoy playing the part while you still can,” he says, his voice devoid of warmth. His green eyes gleam with something cruel, something calculated. Something cold. This man must not be human.“Because the title was never yours to begin with.” He goes on. My heart clenches. I should be used to it by now. The sharp edges of his words, the way he wields them like knives, cutting me down without hesitation. But somehow, each one still manages to pierce deeper than the last. I swallow past the lump in my throat, refusing to let him see how much it hurts. How much it breaks me to pieces with every word he says.“I never wanted your damn title,” I whisper the lie, my voice tight
ATHENAHave you ever been through hell?People have different versions of it. Mine is staring right at me with cold eyes and disgust that he could vomit me. And that's the most pathetic thing about me. Knowing all this and still holding onto that sliver of hope. That maybe….“I knew it! sneaky little bitch aren't you?” Ariana taunts. “She is her mother's daughter indeed!” Gia adds. Leah stands there. Like a damn wet cat and that is annoying as hell. Seeing her pretend to be a damsel in distress pisses me off. Because I've seen her eyes when she looks at me. Trust me, I know a bitch when I see one. And Leah Woods, sure is on the top of the mean table. Alex’s voice slices through the tension like a blade. Like everyone else is just noise he is trying to tune out. “The guests have started arriving.” His tone is calm and controlled—like he didn’t just throw me to the wolves. “Let’s not make a scene. We can discuss this later.” He stands and grabs Leah by the hand and walks away.
AthenaYou've never loved hard enough if you've never stayed up all night staring at the wall hoping the plain colours will stop the ache of your heart. “I love you.” Words I haven't had the courage to say in three years rolled out of her tongue like she was saying her name. Did he say it back?Just the thought of him telling Leah he loves her even though I've known that for three years does horrible things to my poor heart. It's been two days and I still can't get the scene out of my head. I stare at the wall, wondering why I'm still here. Because you're hoping he'll love you instead.A voice whispers and I shut it down. The vibrating of my phone pulls me out and I stare at it the screen flashing Ariana.My mother-in-law. “Hi, mum.” I breathe. Hoping my voice isn't giving me away. “Hi, baby.” She cools. “I've been trying to reach your husband and can't get through, is he home?” Right, the happy couple. That's my role. “No. He left early this morning.” I respond, hoping my vo
ATHENAFLASHBACK7 days ago….“It’s only been two hours. Don’t be so anxious,” Zayan says to me, but it does nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.Alex is unpredictable.He may think I fabricated the evidence, and that’s not even the worst that could happen. Leah could get her hands on the documents, twist the story like she always does, and paint me as a manipulator.I’m pacing the length of Zayan’s office, chewing on my nail, with nerves clawing up my throat when the door suddenly slams open, and I nearly jump out of my skin.Alex stands there like a force of nature. His shoulders are rigid, his chest is heaving, and those wild green eyes are locked onto me with pure fury.“Get the fuck out,” he growls, low and dangerous. Zayan straightens from where he’s leaning against the desk, glaring at Alex. “It’s my office,” he snaps.I flick my desperate gaze toward Zayan, silently begging him to give us a moment. Zayan hesitates for just a moment before he sighs and grabs his jacke
LEAHSix days later…“I hope you secure a good fortune after paying ten million for a ridiculous wedding dress!” Mum snaps as she adjusts the hem of my robe.“Can we see it?” she asks, her voice softer this time, almost curious.“No," I say, flipping my hair over my shoulder. "It’s not with me. I had to do makeup first.”Dad grumbles something under his breath, still pale from the heart attack he nearly had when the bank called him.Apparently, when someone drops ten million on a dress, the financial world panics.They thought I’d lost my card. That some thief was out there playing dress-up with my future.But no. I signed the authorization myself and left a copy with the boutique, just in case I change my mind and want a refund later.Not that it matters.Ten million is nothing compared to how much I’ll be entitled to once the vows are said, and my last name is King.“In a few minutes," I remind them with a sparkling smile, "Alexander King will be your son-in-law. Do you have any ide
LEAHI swallow hard, my hands trembling so badly I have to clutch them behind my back."No," I say, my voice cracking. "Of course not! Alex, you know me...""Do I?" he asks, tilting his head, his green eyes unreadable.The assistant stands frozen behind the counter, the dress draped over her arm like a dead body.I force a smile, blinking fast to hide the sting in my eyes."I’ll just... call Daddy," I say quickly. "He’ll transfer the money right now. It’s no big deal."Alex chuckles a low, dangerous sound that makes my blood turn to ice.Is he testing me?"Of course," he responds, "Call Daddy."His words are laced with mockery, but I ignore it. I'm sure it's a test.One I'm not going to lose!I've come too close to the goal to let it slip off my hands. I yank my phone out of my purse so fast it almost flies across the room.Dialing my father’s number, I press it to my ear, forcing a smile at Alex.He watches me, hands still shoved casually into his pockets, like he’s enjoying every
LEAH“What are we doing here, Alex?” I whisper, my voice barely coming out, unable to believe what’s standing right in front of me.A bridal boutique.A real, shimmering bridal boutique. My fucking dream boutique where they sale the best and most expensive wedding gowns!The doors swing open as if they were expecting us.A woman in a sleek black dress smiles warmly and gestures us inside. "Welcome Mr. King, ma'am. We've been expecting you."Ma'am.Mrs King is the name but I have to play nice so I smile. “Thank you!”.When we step In…. my breath stops!I stumble forward, my heart slamming into my ribs so hard it hurts.I turn to Alex, blinking up at him, my mind spinning, almost scared to say the words out loud. “Alex, really... what is this?”He doesn’t smile.He doesn’t soften. He just looks at me with those icy green eyes and says, his voice low and serious,“To be my wife... you need a dress.”He shrugs like it’s obvious, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Isn’t
LEAH“Mummy, can we go to a play park today?” An irritating little voice reaches my ears, cutting through the music, playing softly in the background.I clench my teeth so hard my jaw aches.How have I managed to raise this little brat?Ugh.I set down my eyeliner with a sharp clink on my dresser. Focus, Leah. Focus.You need him. You need him to get what you want. He's the golden ticket.“Mummy?” he says again, his voice higher, whinier.“What!” I snap, whipping around so fast he flinches. I catch the way his lower lip wobbles that stupid, pathetic look he gives when he’s about to cry.The anger simmers hotter under my skin.“Why are you so damn annoying? Go find Miranda and bother her!”I turn back to the mirror, snatching up the mascara wand with enough force to nearly snap it in half.From the corner of my eye, I see him hesitate. He shifts on his tiny feet, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.I've fought so hard to be where I am. Nothing was handed to me, nothing!Not my st
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 be
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