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ATHENA“He doesn’t mean it” Ariana says, and I almost laugh at that. She had come to pick me up so we could go shopping, but I thought it would be nice for the men to tag along. What a stupid idea this was. We had just reached the door when I heard Alex talk about how I was shoved down his throat. The pain that I feel is not new, but it doesn't hurt any less. “I know he loves her. It's not news to me.” I look at my mother inlaw before knocking on the door. Ariana sighs as she opens Alex's door and walks in. “Mum.” Alex sits upright. “Hi Sweetheart, I was about to come to you.” Eli says, and Ariana smiles, placing a kiss on his lips. “We haven't done much, we thought we could join you, but I'm not sure today is a good day.” Ariana says as Alex stands to give her a kiss. This is the only time you'll ever get to see his soft eyes. When he’s looking at his mother and grandmother, “Hi.” I say slowly. Not knowing what else to say to him. “Hi.” He responds, “You can sit on the couc
ATHENA“We failed him at one point. And honestly, I'd do anything to turn back time and reverse it. It's my biggest regret.” Ariana begins, but I don't interrupt her. “Eli and I were trying so hard to keep the legacy of the King family was going. So you know this life, meetings after meetings and trip after trip. He was the decision maker and the enforcer. I was the strategist. We went everywhere together because we worked best together. But after I had Alexander, I didn't slow down. I gave birth to him and let Giana and Raymond raise him with the help of the nannies.Time flew so fast, I didn't even realize my son was growing up without his mother's presence. In a blink of an eye, he turned eighteen, and I missed his birthday. But you know what breaks my heart?”Tears are now falling as she looks at me, and I don't know what to say. Ariana has always been so strong, she has never been the type to show weakness and I admire that about her but I'm also moved that she trusts me en
One month later….. “You look beautiful.” Zayan says, and I laugh as I stuff another piece of apple pie in my mouth. “I'll take that as a compliment.” I was bored out of my mind, and I'd have done anything to pass time so I wouldn't think about labor just for one more second. Sadly, I had missed my white coat ceremony. It broke my heart, but Ariana said we would fix It once I gave birth. Anyway, so I tried reaching out to Sloane, but she had left the country, Mira was busy, and Noah was doing the meeting things the Kings do. My husband, however, was nowhere to be seen. At this point, I don't even know if he still lives In our home. So, left with only one choice, I called Zayan, who was more than happy to hang out with a pregnant woman. We've been hanging out for some time, and it's been fun. I also learned that he's actually a doctor but rides horses to lay off some steam. Which is pretty cool. I was unable to share much about me, and I just told him the basics. You kno
ATHENAMy fingers tighten around the doorknob as I stare at Alex. His green eyes burn into me with an intensity that makes my chest feel tight. There’s no mistaking the anger simmering that look, but his voice remains dangerously calm when he speaks.“There she is. The mother of my unborn child.”The way he says it sends a chill down my spine. My heart hammers, but I refuse to let him see the effect he has on me. I push the door shut behind me and drop my bag onto the small table by the entrance. I grab my takeaway pack and sit on the couch, trying to seem unbothered even though my heart is in my throat.“I didn’t realize you still lived here,” I say, my tone laced with mockery.His lips twitch in something that is far from a smile, and he slowly rises to his feet. The air in the room shifts. Alex never raises his voice, but his presence alone is suffocating.When he speaks, you hear him, no matter how low his tone is.“I’ve been busy,” he replies, rolling up his sleeves even further
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
ATHENAMy fingers tighten around the doorknob as I stare at Alex. His green eyes burn into me with an intensity that makes my chest feel tight. There’s no mistaking the anger simmering that look, but his voice remains dangerously calm when he speaks.“There she is. The mother of my unborn child.”The way he says it sends a chill down my spine. My heart hammers, but I refuse to let him see the effect he has on me. I push the door shut behind me and drop my bag onto the small table by the entrance. I grab my takeaway pack and sit on the couch, trying to seem unbothered even though my heart is in my throat.“I didn’t realize you still lived here,” I say, my tone laced with mockery.His lips twitch in something that is far from a smile, and he slowly rises to his feet. The air in the room shifts. Alex never raises his voice, but his presence alone is suffocating.When he speaks, you hear him, no matter how low his tone is.“I’ve been busy,” he replies, rolling up his sleeves even further
One month later….. “You look beautiful.” Zayan says, and I laugh as I stuff another piece of apple pie in my mouth. “I'll take that as a compliment.” I was bored out of my mind, and I'd have done anything to pass time so I wouldn't think about labor just for one more second. Sadly, I had missed my white coat ceremony. It broke my heart, but Ariana said we would fix It once I gave birth. Anyway, so I tried reaching out to Sloane, but she had left the country, Mira was busy, and Noah was doing the meeting things the Kings do. My husband, however, was nowhere to be seen. At this point, I don't even know if he still lives In our home. So, left with only one choice, I called Zayan, who was more than happy to hang out with a pregnant woman. We've been hanging out for some time, and it's been fun. I also learned that he's actually a doctor but rides horses to lay off some steam. Which is pretty cool. I was unable to share much about me, and I just told him the basics. You kno
ATHENA“We failed him at one point. And honestly, I'd do anything to turn back time and reverse it. It's my biggest regret.” Ariana begins, but I don't interrupt her. “Eli and I were trying so hard to keep the legacy of the King family was going. So you know this life, meetings after meetings and trip after trip. He was the decision maker and the enforcer. I was the strategist. We went everywhere together because we worked best together. But after I had Alexander, I didn't slow down. I gave birth to him and let Giana and Raymond raise him with the help of the nannies.Time flew so fast, I didn't even realize my son was growing up without his mother's presence. In a blink of an eye, he turned eighteen, and I missed his birthday. But you know what breaks my heart?”Tears are now falling as she looks at me, and I don't know what to say. Ariana has always been so strong, she has never been the type to show weakness and I admire that about her but I'm also moved that she trusts me en
ATHENA“He doesn’t mean it” Ariana says, and I almost laugh at that. She had come to pick me up so we could go shopping, but I thought it would be nice for the men to tag along. What a stupid idea this was. We had just reached the door when I heard Alex talk about how I was shoved down his throat. The pain that I feel is not new, but it doesn't hurt any less. “I know he loves her. It's not news to me.” I look at my mother inlaw before knocking on the door. Ariana sighs as she opens Alex's door and walks in. “Mum.” Alex sits upright. “Hi Sweetheart, I was about to come to you.” Eli says, and Ariana smiles, placing a kiss on his lips. “We haven't done much, we thought we could join you, but I'm not sure today is a good day.” Ariana says as Alex stands to give her a kiss. This is the only time you'll ever get to see his soft eyes. When he’s looking at his mother and grandmother, “Hi.” I say slowly. Not knowing what else to say to him. “Hi.” He responds, “You can sit on the couc
ALEXThree months later…..Frustrating doesn’t even come close to describing Athena these past three months.She’s six months long now, and every day it feels like there’s a new side of her I’m seeing. I get it, it’s not easy carrying life inside you. But damn, some days, it feels like the world is going to swallow her whole. I’ve never felt so powerless. No matter what she’s going through, there’s nothing I can do to fix it. She’s pregnant and diagnosed with PTSD, and it makes everything feel like it’s on a knife’s edge. I’m walking around on eggshells, trying not to make it worse. I want to help, but it seems like the harder I try, the more I fail.I dive into the pool, the cool water enveloping me like a second skin, hoping it’ll clear my mind, even just for a moment.I'm not sure how long I swim when my muscles feel like they're burning. Sitting by the pool's edge, I grab my phone to check for any email I might have when I stumble upon a photo. Someone sent it to me but it's a p
ATHENAA thick, suffocating darkness surrounds me. Cold. Wet. Heavy. I can’t breathe. Water clings to my skin, soaking through my clothes, and weighing me down. My legs kick, my arms thrash, but there’s no solid ground beneath me. Only the endless, inky abyss swallowing me whole. I try to scream, but the moment I open my mouth, water rushes in. It burns. It fills my lungs, dragging me deeper, deeper until all I can hear is the muffled roar of my heartbeat and the distant echoes of my own cries. Then suddenly, A hand. It grips my shoulder, fingers digging in painfully. Not to save me. Not to pull me up. To push me further down. “No,” I choke, bubbles escaping my lips. I claw at the hand, at the unseen force keeping me trapped in this nightmare, but it’s too strong. The water is cold, but my chest burns, and my body convulses, desperate for air. I see shadows above me. A towering figure watching. Laughing. And then I’m falling…Not through water, but through dark
ATHENA A small baby bump. My mind repeats over and over again. “Athena!” Leah walks towards me and hugs me. I stiffen not knowing what to do with this affection. I'm wearing a lose Tshirt and jeans so I'm pretty sure I'm not showing unless you touch me, Leah however, is in a tight-fitting dress with her bump right on display for everyone to see. My heart stops, feeling like the world is suddenly spinning. “Congratulations. Didn't know you were married.” Sloane points out not missing the sarcasm in her tone. Leah laughs, as she turns to Sloane and tries to hug her but the eye she gives her makes her think otherwise. “I didn't know you were back, Sloane. It's good to see you.” My mouth is dry and I'm speechless. Who is the father of the child she's carrying? She didn't deny not being married either. Am I missing something? Suddenly I feel anger Start to brew inside me. Did Alex play me? I wouldn't even call it playing since I've known he's always loved her. Bile rises in my
ATHENA Without warning, she rushes forward and wraps her arms around Alex in a tight hug. I stiffen. My arms cross over my chest, a strange, unwelcome heat crawling up my spine. Who the hell is she? If she was family I'd probably know because I've been around this family for over three years. Alex doesn’t hug her back. In fact, he just stands there, his body rigid, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. His expression is unreadable, his usual glare gracing her presence making a smile almost slip out from my lips. I'm still mad she's touching him though.The woman pulls back slightly, tilting her head at him. "Five years, Alex. Five damn years, and you're still too stiff to hug me back? Unbelievable." She shakes her head, letting out an amused scoff before stepping back. Alex exhales before pulling her off him but shockingly he doesn't look irritated. He finally turns to me, "Athena, this is my annoying cousin, Sloane." Cousin? Oh. His tone is dry, edged with somethi
ATHENA I stare at the mansion in front of me, my jaw practically on the floor. Mansion? No. This is practically a castle. The grand structure looms before me, its towering presence, and intricate stonework, giving it the appearance of something straight out of a royal fairytale. Elegant balconies are curved, massive arched windows facing me as my eyes widen into shock. The sheer size of the place makes my stomach flip. "Alex…" I whisper, “What is this place?” I ask. “I got you a little gift.” He shrugs, and I laugh. His idea of a small gift is a wonder. I turn to him, and he’s watching me closely, his hands shoved into his pockets like he’s waiting for my verdict. His usual cool, unreadable expression is replaced with something new. It almost looks like… uncertainty. “You don't like it?” He asks, his expression worried, and I almost tease him, but I hold back. Without hesitation, I rush toward him, wrapping my arms around his neck and peppering his face with wet, overe