Athena froze, trying to hold back her tears. She fought to endure the pain in her heart and body. Arthur's words felt like a shot of encouragement, almost pulling her back into the mysterious gray eyes before her.
"This is your phone. You can use it to contact me in emergencies." Arthur suddenly pulled something from his pocket leaving Athena stunned.
"Impossible! How is this phone still intact?"
"When I first found it, the screen and casing were quite damaged. Luckily, the data—"
"So, you were the one who found it? How long have you known me, Arthur? Are you the one who first found me after the accident?"
Silent for a moment, Arthur then reached for the medicine box. He immediately treated the wound on the tip of Athena's lip with great care, letting the woman in front of him continue to wonder inwardly.
"Arthur..."
"May I remove the bandage on your hand? The doctor was supposed to change it and check your condition yesterday, but—"
"Leon canceled everything?" Athena sighed in resignation, realizing Arthur was dodging her question yet again. "I know, he seems to enjoy torturing me. But it's fine, the pain here is nothing compared to the gaping wound in my heart."
Shaking his head slowly, Arthur gently caressed her face, which he had just finished treating. The gesture startled Athena briefly, only for her to be further shocked by Leon's booming voice calling from outside.
"I'll go meet him. After this, rest. You need to gather your strength before you fight for what's rightfully yours," Arthur said firmly, making Athena try to smile.
"Thank you, Arthur. Even though I don't yet know your true intentions for being here, I'm sure you're not here to make my suffering worse."
Nodding, Arthur left the cramped room that was barely fit to be called a bedroom. He headed toward Leon, glancing at his phone gallery for a moment with his signature mysterious gaze.
"No! She cannot end up like her!"
***
"Mrs. Athena! Oh my! She's really here!"
A week later, a large crowd gathered at a famous corporate office in the city. Reporters pushed and shoved to catch a glimpse of the person they had been waiting for, ignoring the security guards' warnings.
"Damn it! That thug was right! How did they all find out about Athena's visit to this office?" Leon muttered angrily, reluctantly grabbing his wife's left hand. He had to pretend to look affectionate to Athena in public, especially as negative news about him had started to spread.
"Remember my words, Athena. If you dare defy me, your mother will be left stranded in the hospital without my financial support!"
"Hmm... Keep threatening, Leon. I'll do my best to turn things around. Because without me, you'll have nothing!"
"Step aside! Make way for Mrs. Athena and Mr. Leon first!"
Arthur's commanding voice startled Athena as he suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist. Taking a deep breath, Athena tried to stay calm amidst the crowd.
"Mr. Leon, you've finally appeared with Mrs. Athena? Is this just a distraction to quell the negative rumors about your marriage?" one journalist asked bluntly after breaking through the security barrier.
"Is it true, Mr. Leon? Reports about suspicious details surrounding Mrs. Athena's accident are surfacing. Don't you have anything to say?"
"We need your response, Mr. Leon! The public is eager to know Mrs. Athena's true condition!"
"Dammit!"
Smiling at her husband's annoyance, Athena then tried to speed up her pace again as the reporters crowded around her. She occasionally turned her head to Arthur who was standing guard behind her, until finally it all ended when the lobby was cleared by Edward.
"This is it, Athena! Don't give up now. Use this golden opportunity to bring down Leon, the man who betrayed your love!"
Just as Athena finished speaking in her mind, Crystal appeared suddenly from the CEO's office. The woman smiled nonchalantly as if her presence were highly anticipated by those around her.
"Well, how does it feel to be back in the spotlight? Enjoying it, aren't you?"
"Honey, you're here? What if—"
"Shh! I've already asked Edward to cover for my presence here, babe. The staff will think I'm here to help this crippled woman, even though I just want to keep an eye on you and stay close!"
Shaking his head slightly, Leon embraced the seductive figure before him. He kissed her deeply; this bold display of intimacy made Arthur and Edward quickly excuse themselves.
"Unbelievable! Don't they ever get enough of each other at home?!" Disgusted, Athena slammed the door shut behind her. She grabbed her notebook and scribbled something, throwing it onto the table in front of Leon and Crystal, who were still entwined.
"She wants this room? How dare this woman!" Crystal reacted first, leaning against her lover provocatively.
"Do you think you can control me?!" Leon sneered, making Athena write other words again.
[This room, or I withdraw from your collaboration project with the Mayor? I'm sure that'll only make the public and your business partners even more suspicious!]
"Damn! This...." Crystal moved to confront Athena, but Leon stopped her and whispered something making her smirk wickedly.
"Let her have the room, honey. I'm sure she won't last long after witnessing our activities here!"
Shaking her head quickly, Athena cursed inwardly at Leon and Crystal's growing intimacy. She immediately stepped back with a firm grip on the table beside her, before her eyes were distracted by the presence of a folder with a hospital logo.
"This can't be a coincidence! This is the hospital where my mother was treated! How does Leon have these documents?!"
Taking advantage of their distraction, Athena snatched the file. She quietly stuffed it into her blazer and ran quickly outside when she started to hear the disgusting sighs of her husband and ex-best friend, and closed the door with a slam as she grumbled.
"They are completely crazy! If they're involved in my mother's suffering too, I won't hesitate to expose all the evidence to the public!"
"Ahh! I love your touch, babe!"Leon smiled as he adjusted his shirt buttons. He was truly proud of his ability to seduce women, especially this time, as Crystal had moaned his name repeatedly after successfully forcing Athena out of the room.His idea to get rid of Athena had worked, hadn't it? It wasn't just successful, it was downright insane! No one would have suspected Leon's audacity to flirt with another woman in front of his wife. And no one could endure being in Athena's position."I think that woman won't dare to bother us anymore, babe," Crystal said as she rose from the desk where she had been lying moments ago. She walked toward the window, straightening her tight dress to ensure no one had been spying on her and Leon's activities."Hmm, we'll see. I doubt a woman like her will give up so easily," Leon replied coolly, causing Crystal to turn back toward him immediately."What do you mean? Do you think Athena plans to get back at us?"Nodding, Leon looked over the wealth tr
Athena held her breath as she entered the conference room. With confident steps, she walked to her seat at the end of the long table, ignoring the gazes fixated on her."It’s time, Athena!""Damn it! She dared to show up?" Leon muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing. "I’m sure she’s taken that document. How can she be so calm?"Noticing her husband’s piercing stare, Athena responded with a faint smile. The room fell silent as she finally settled into her seat. Moments later, the focus shifted back to the meeting’s leader, although the tension in the air had noticeably thickened."Alright, now that everyone’s here, I’d like to discuss some supporting facilities. The plan is for our company to collaborate with several private entities," Leon began, masking his irritation."Hmm, what you mean is, you’re looking for ways to gain more profit?" Athena thought silently. "I won’t let that happen, Leon. This is a charity project, which is why I insisted you take it in the first place.""Well,
Panting, Leon stared at Athena in disbelief once more. The aura of the woman before him was utterly different. The Athena he used to know—weak and easy to bully—now seemed powerful and fearless.Her gaze was strong, her eyes sharp and unwavering. Even her smirk bore an uncanny resemblance to his own when he used to dominate her."Damn it!" Leon growled, realizing he had walked straight into his wife’s trap."What’s wrong? Regretting it and thinking of apologizing to me?" Athena briefly ran her hand along her husband’s sharp jawline, a gesture that made Crystal’s eyes widen in shock outside the room. "Too bad, my dear husband. It’s already too late!""Leon! Athena! What the hell is going on? Let me in!"Ignoring the jealous outburst of her former friend, Athena adjusted the collar of her husband's shirt, which she had yanked earlier. "Remember my words, my dear husband. I won’t sit quietly, especially if you dare disturb my mother!""Athena, wait!"Disregarding Leon’s call, Athena walk
"Based on the statements from several reporters, they learned about Mrs. Athena’s presence in this office from someone, Sir. They received the information via a text message from an unknown number."Hearing Edward's explanation, Leon’s head throbbed even more. He hadn’t finished dealing with the issue of Athena, who now had one of the pieces of evidence of her deceit, and he still didn’t know who had exposed Athena’s presence here, causing the chaos earlier this morning."Could it be the Mayor? Isn’t he one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Athena joining this project?" Crystal finally chimed in, her curiosity piqued."I don’t know yet, Miss Crystal. I’ve already checked the phone number that sent the information about Mrs. Athena’s location here. It was a disposable number, so I can’t track or contact it."Letting out a long sigh, Leon leaned back in his large chair. This all still felt like a mystery to him, especially since there was a possibility that the person behind this wa
"Mr. Arthur?"The echoes of voices calling out shattered the suffocating silence. Arthur’s grip on Athena tightened for a moment before he carefully leaned her unconscious form against the elevator wall."Can’t we just exit through the elevator doors?" Arthur asked his voice calm but edged with impatience. He spared a fleeting glance at Athena’s pale, exhausted face."Apologies, sir. The elevator is stuck mid-floor. It’s impossible to align it with any of the nearby doors."Arthur’s jaw clenched. He glanced at the dark confines of the elevator before nodding curtly. Steeling himself, he crouched beside Athena, gently shaking her awake."Athena, we need to move.""Arthur... my hands," she whispered, her voice trembling. Her eyelids fluttered open, and panic flashed across her face. "I’m afraid I can’t hold myself up. What if I fall?""You won’t," Arthur assured her firmly. "My team will guide you, and I’ll be right here to catch you if anything happens."For a moment, Athena hesitated,
Athena frowned, her gaze wandering across the lavishly decorated room. The high ceilings were adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast a warm glow on the polished wooden floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a breathtaking view of the city skyline, and the furniture was nothing short of opulent. Soft, cream-colored sofas paired with golden accents exuded an air of understated elegance."You were in bad shape last night, Athena." Arthur hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "After the elevator incident, I thought it would be safer to bring you here to recover. This place is... private and secure.""This is private?" Athena whispered, her tone filled with disbelief as she took it all in. "Arthur, this is not just private. This is... extravagant! Whose place is this?""It’s just a temporary arrangement. A safe house I had rented for emergencies.""Rented?" Narrowed her eyes, Athena's skepticism evident. "Arthur, this looks more like a billionaire’s penthouse than s
Leon’s eyes darted across the hastily scribbled words. His jaw clenched so tightly it felt as if his teeth might crack. The letter trembled in his hands, his rage threatening to boil over. "What does it say?" Crystal hovered nearby, her face pale as she attempted to read his expression.Without answering, Leon crumpled the note and shoved it into his pocket. His eyes scanned the room, filled with evacuation officers and reporters lingering near the building entrance. He felt the stares—some curious, others suspicious."I don’t have time for this circus!""What?!"Ignoring Crystal’s protests, he turned on his heel and stormed away. His fists were clenched at his sides as he headed to his private office within the building. Once inside, he slammed the door shut and immediately summoned the head of security."You called for me, sir?" Moments later, a burly man in a tailored uniform entered, his expression stoic."Who accessed the elevator shaft last night? Who helped Athena escape?""So
"What is this?"Athena’s fingers trembled as she picked up a photo. Her heart pounded as she stared at a candid shot of her walking out of her stage with Leon’s shadow not far behind. Another depicted Crystal in a heated discussion with someone unfamiliar, her face a mask of frustration. But it was the last that made her blood run cold: it was of herself, sitting alone on a park bench, taken from a distance.She remembered that day vividly. She had thought she was alone. How did this photo end up in Arthur's possession?"You shouldn’t be here!"The sound of the door clicking shut behind her made Athena whirl around. She clutched the photo tightly, stepping back instinctively. Arthur stood there, his dark eyes unreadable. His voice was low but firm."What is all this, Arthur? Why do you have these pictures? How long have you been spying on us?"Arthur’s expression hardened, and he took a deliberate step closer. "Put the photo down and go back to your room, Athena.""Not until you expla
Tingg!A sudden notification sound rang just as the initial meeting for her collaboration with Caroline's company concluded. Realizing that it was Arthur who had messaged her, Athena quickly glanced around to make sure no one was watching her at that moment.[I'm sorry, but I have to go abroad for a while due to an urgent matter. I didn't have the chance to inform you in person because everything happened so quickly.]Letting out a quiet sigh, Athena leaned back in her chair. Once again, a tightness gripped her chest. She felt that sense of loss creeping in again, so she quickly shifted her focus to her employees, who were preparing to leave the meeting room, and to Caroline, who seemed busy with her phone—to push away that feeling.[I'm sorry once again, dear. I never wanted to leave you, but I have no choice.]Staring blankly at her phone screen, Athena straightened her p
"E–enemy?"Athena stammered as both of her ears caught Caroline’s last word. Her eyes widened in tension, especially when the woman nodded in response, meeting her gaze without hesitation."Caroline... I think we've gone too far with this conversation. We should—""Don't be so tense, Athena. I haven't explained what I meant yet," Caroline said calmly once again, though her ever-changing gaze made her intentions difficult to read."Ah, I just...""What I mean is, we could become enemies if you were to take the man who has been a savior in my life. I absolutely despise it when something that should belong to me is taken or even disturbed by someone else. But surely, you wouldn’t do that to me, right?" Caroline chuckled again as if trying to lighten the mood, leaving Athena oblivious to the true meaning behind her words.Athena forced a s
Once he left, Athena sat still for a moment, staring at the empty space beside her. A strange feeling crept into her chest, was it disappointment? Worry? Or something else entirely?Shaking it off, she decided she couldn’t dwell on it. She needed to get back to her own life.Arriving at her office, she immediately instructed the security team to be cautious about accepting packages with no clear sender information. The last thing she needed was an unexpected threat slipping through the cracks like yesterday."Athena!""Caroline?"Athena waved her hand toward a woman who had just stepped out of a luxury car. Without hesitation, she gave her a warm hug as the woman in dark sunglasses approached, then slightly furrowed her brows when the woman handed her a rather large handbag with the label of a well-known brand."What is this?" she asked, still unsure.
Athena let out a soft sigh, staring at the ceiling.As she lay there, wrapped in the thick blanket Arthur had secured around her, she let out a small sigh. The lingering heat of their moment still clung to her skin, making her body tingle with anticipation. Yet, Arthur was gone now—at least for the moment.She waited. And waited. But Arthur never returned. Her fingers absently traced the fabric of Arthur’s bedsheets. She had expected him to return quickly, but the minutes stretched on, turning into an hour… and then another."Geez, why am I being like this?" she muttered worriedly to herself.She turned onto her side, curling up slightly as a strange sense of unease settled in her chest. He wouldn’t have just left without a word—not after what had happened between them tonight.At first, she thought he might have gotten caught up in something minor,
"Holding back?"Arthur couldn’t help but smile when he heard that. Deep down, he had to admit it was true. He had been holding back all this time—restraining himself from touching every inch of Athena’s smooth skin, even as his heart and body yearned for her more with each passing day.Tonight, after such a long wait, it was finally happening. This wasn’t just a fleeting desire; it was a dream he had held onto for so long, a hope for the future. He hoped to remain in this moment, in this intimacy, until the day he married her and spent the rest of his life by her side—until death did them part."Hmm... Why did you stop?" Athena’s soft voice broke the silence, laced with a hint of hesitation. "Isn’t this the best distraction from all the troubles drowning us?"Arthur nodded, then pressed a lingering kiss to the delicate skin beside him, his signature smirk ret
"Thank you! I'll confirm the arrival of both of us with the Mayor!"Before getting up from the lap of the man who always managed to capture her heart, Athena gave him a quick kiss on the corner of his lips. She smiled upon noticing his surprised expression. To her, Arthur always looked incredibly cute when he was like that, making it impossible for her to hold back a chuckle as she pulled away."The maid said you've already had dinner, right? In that case, get some rest. I’ve eaten too, so I just need to go back to my room to freshen up before resting."Smiling again, Athena adjusted Arthur’s blanket and bed before finally preparing to leave. She made sure he was completely comfortable before her eyes suddenly widened in shock—she was abruptly pulled back onto the bed.Who else could it be but Arthur? As if unwilling to let her go just yet, he pulled her back toward him before captu
Crystal’s growing curiosity as the mysterious woman walked away. A chill ran down her spine, her mind still spinning. She tapped her fingers against the cold, hard surface of her cell’s metal bed.The first letter of their names was the same? That meant her name started with C. But who? Charlotte? Cassandra?No. None of them matched the woman she had just seen. That poised smile, that air of confidence, it didn’t fit anyone she knew."Damn it!" she muttered under her breath. Her fingers curled into fists. "Who the hell was she?!"The woman’s words echoed in her mind, especially when she talks about Athena’s downfall. Something about this was different. This wasn’t just idle gossip or petty revenge. The woman had a plan, and she could feel it."Great!" she muttered bitterly. "Yet another person obsessed with that woman!"Cry
Athena’s fingers hovered over her phone screen, her mind racing. She needed—no, she wanted—to tell Arthur about this. Her heart was still pounding from the shock of what she had just seen.A blood-stained knife. A chilling note. A clear warning. Arthur needed to know. He always knew what to do. He would protect her. He would...."No, don’t do it!" Athena inhaled sharply and shook her head.Arthur was already drowning in problems. Reyna was still missing. He was barely sleeping, barely eating, spending every waking moment trying to track her down. If she called him now, she would only add to his burden."He doesn’t need another problem!" she muttered to herself, biting her lower lip. "I can handle this on my own!"With a sigh, she locked her phone and set it aside. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the intercom."Come
Smiling even wider, Athena quickly reached for her phone in the small drawer beside her bed. She looked incredibly excited, so much so that she didn’t even notice how messy her hair was."Come here!" Arthur, unable to hold back his laughter at the sight of her, took it upon himself to fix her hair. As he gently tucked the stray strands back in place, he pulled Athena into his embrace once again."Look at this! The Mayor invited us to his charity event," Athena said, unfazed by Arthur’s hands still tidying her hair.How could she feel comfortable? Arthur’s touch was so gentle that she barely felt anything at all.Tilting her head up with a small smile, Athena took a moment to enjoy this. Even though she was eager to share the good news, she chose to wait until Arthur was finished with what he was doing."There, all done!"Without hesitation, Athena leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on his lips as a thank-you. Arthur caught off guard, widened his eyes for a second before swiftly p