~RichardI shared a look with James, who was seated to my left, signaling him to take charge as I was tired and couldn't answer the questions that required lies anymore.Getting my message, James smiled and responded, raising a brow "Michael, Jessica, and Sabrina?" Thankfully, Athena averted her gaze to him, relieving me from her scrutiny."They all went away on a trip for the same course; they will be back after a few days."I picked up the glass of water before me, steadying my hand as I took a sip. Athena's gaze was back on me."Is that so, Richard?"I choked on my water."Oh, I am so sorry," she apologized, picking up a tablecloth and drying the bit of water that had splashed on my hand and the table. Her question had caught me unaware, causing my reaction."It is fine; it is no fault of yours but mine. I should have been more careful," I replied tiredly.When she was done cleaning, she tossed the tablecloth aside and locked eyes with me to ensure I was okay. That was when I answe
~AthenaWe had just finished dinner and retired to our rooms. All day, ever since I woke up in the hospital bed and saw Richard walk in, his well-toned muscles bulging out of his body, those perfect scintillating ocean-blue eyes of his drawing me in, I desired him. All I wanted was to run my hand through his body and have him make passionate love to me.It felt like it had been ages since that happened. It was quite bizarre that I had all that in mind despite my confused state. My memory was very foggy, and the last thing I remembered was standing outside the mansion, my heart heavy as I waved goodbye to Richard and James, longing for the next time I would see them as their journey was one that was going to last a few weeks.Right now, walking into Richard's room, quite elated for the night we were about to have, I rubbed my belly, remembering the good news I received earlier from the hospital. I was going to have a lovely baby boy very soon, one whom Richard and I will nurture and r
~AthenaNight eventually gave way to morning. The rays of sunlight sifting in through the slightly open curtain, casting a beautiful golden glow in the room. I didn't sleep a wink all night; my mind was just spiraling with different thoughts as I was battling with a bout of emotions. Richard had been awake with me too, trying to make me feel better.A part of me almost felt bad and selfish for doing that to him. He had been through a lot because of me and didn't deserve that at all.We had been silent for the most part of the night. Just having him by my side meant everything. There was no place I would rather be than in his large comforting arms that had tended to me all night.He planted a kiss on my forehead and gradually placed me on the bed, getting up and out of bed, he stretched his body."Do you intend on going horse racing this morning?" I asked, remembering he used to do that every morning in the past. Although today we stayed in bed a little too late.He glanced at me, his
~AthenaAfter getting dressed for the day, Richard and I headed downstairs. He was draped in black pants with a white shirt, his long blond hair tied neatly in a knot at the back, making the chiseled planes of his face more enhanced and set. He looked very magnificent with an aura of nobility.I, on the other hand, was simply dressed in a blue short loose gown with my brown hair tied behind my scalp. I had no powder on my face. I didn't feel the need to do too much. I was still in mourning of the recent happenings.I walked alongside Richard, our footsteps echoing in the distance. Everywhere seemed quiet and serene, almost feeling empty as opposed to how it used to be. It seemed as though everyone in the mansion now went about their business quietly, refraining from engaging in small talks as they usually did.As if sensing my thoughts, Richard explained, "A lot has happened in the mansion, I believe everyone has become a tad bit more careful so as not to fall prey to unfortunate inci
~AthenaAt that moment, I stared at him, lost for words. Had I heard him correctly?"Did you just say you are my birth father?" I asked, wanting to make sure my ears were not playing some kind of trick on me.He nodded his head in response as though he was tongue tied. My breath was beginning to hitch. I dragged my gaze away from him, fixing it on my mother's face. She was the one who was in a better position to explain what the man I had thought was my uncle was saying.Upon locking eyes with her, I could see her eyes beginning to get cloudy with tears. She was about to cry? What the hell was she doing that for?Her words came without me having to ask her anything, "He speaks the truth, Athena. He is your birth father," she sobbed.Still shocked, I turned around to look at Richard. The look on his face showed he already knew. That was it. The lie he had said wasn't his to rectify. The man in front of me was indeed my father.I felt a light pain begin to form on my forehead and raise
~AthenaAfter I had spoken those words, I turned around and stormed out of the conference room. I heard Richard mumble something to them before coming after me. I hurried my steps, darting towards the exit of the building and into the garden. I increased my pace, feeling my chest tightening.I had hoped to feel relief after lashing out at them like that, but what was this heaviness I felt? Why was my heart aching so badly? They had wronged me! All those years, 19 good years! My father had been absent in my life, and my mother, who had been present, had treated me like I didn't matter. I was an obstacle, a thorn in her flesh she desperately needed to get rid of. Therefore, she treated me like I was nonexistent, allowing her husband to physically abuse me, inflicting wounds on me anytime he wanted, wounds she would never tend to. Everything I had to go through at the hands of Sebastian. I had eventually lost my child! Brutally, for that matter! Yet all these could have been avoided. I
~Athena"How is it possible that my father didn't know about me until he was told? Does that mean my mother kept my existence away from him?" Sensing my thoughts, Richard replied, "You are right, Athena. Your mother never told your father about you; she fled her pack even before she knew she was pregnant with child."Fresh tears flowed down my cheeks. It felt as though the dam that had temporarily been holding them collapsed. I didn't have the strength or energy to cry; I just sat there as the tears poured down like pearls from a broken pot. In the end, it was my mother's fault. She had denied both my father and me the chance of meeting each other early in life. My heart ached with pain as I thought about it. How cruel! I had thought it was their mutual decision for him to stay away from my life, but it turned out things were quite as I had thought.Richard wiped my tears again, gazing at me with pitiful eyes. "Your mother had her reasons, Athena."His words immediately triggered me
~AthenaWe cried in each other's arms for a few minutes before he gradually released me, staring into my eyes with love. All my life, I had craved for my stepfather to look at me this way or even hug me tightly as my father did, but to no avail.So this is what fatherly love feels like? Like a flowing stream whose water never runs dry, my eyes didn't stop producing fresh tears."My baby girl," he cupped my face in his hands as a smile crept onto his sullen face.Seeing my fresh tears, he pulled me in for another hug, rubbing my back affectionately. "It's okay, Daddy is here now."Hearing those words brought so much solace and peace to my heart, causing me to tighten my grip around him as I nodded in response, my tears smearing his shirt.When he was sure I was finally okay, he released me from his embrace but didn't let go of my hand as he led me to a chair and set me down on it. I watched him pull out another chair, which he placed in front of me before sitting down.I studied his fa