"Apologies, Mrs. Athena. If I may ask, where is Arthur right now? Wasn’t he last seen with you when you were trapped in the elevator?"Hearing the whisper, Athena chuckled softly. She quickly made a gesture of apology as Leon’s business associate’s gaze returned to her, then stepped out of the room once Crystal exited ahead of her."It's a pity you’re asking about Arthur first, Ed. Aren’t you even the slightest bit worried about me after working for me all these years?" she quipped gently, aware of the footsteps behind her."Apologies, ma’am. Seeing how healthy you look, I assumed—""Have you not noticed these scars of mine? Ah, I guess no one in this world truly pays attention to me."Spotting the small scratches along his mistress’s elegant neck, Edward's eyes widened slightly. He seemed momentarily lost for words until Athena hastily covered the marks with the edge of her clothing."Forget it. Deep down, you all want to get rid of me anyway, right? So what’s the point of hoping for
"Wait! Why did she stop here?"Seeing Athena walk toward a different hospital, Arthur's brow furrowed slightly. His eyes narrowed as he observed the woman, who appeared to be in a hurry."Perhaps she wants to get herself checked?""If that’s the case, why not at the previous hospital?""I'm sorry, Sir. I don’t know. Or would you like me to go down and check what’s going on with her directly?"Shaking his head briefly, Arthur glanced down at his phone. "Just wait here. She should be coming out soon, and then we’ll pick her up!"Inside the hospital, Athena appeared increasingly anxious as a receptionist began searching for records of her mother’s whereabouts. Her breath grew heavier when she heard a soft sigh that made her even more tense."I'm sorry, Ma'am. There’s no record of a patient named Evelyn G. Waverly being admitted today. May I see the transfer documents?"Handed them over, Athena's hands slightly trembling. The receptionist scrutinized them before shaking her head. "These l
"Ah, come on. Don't joke around, Arthur. I don't have time for that."Smiling slightly, Arthur then returned his gaze to the woman beside him. "I'm not joking at all, Athena. I like that nickname!"Athena’s cheeks flushed even deeper as she clenched her fists in her lap. She tries to avoid his gaze. She couldn’t let Arthur see how flustered she truly was. Forcing herself to maintain composure, she straightened her posture and cleared her throat."Arthur, focus! We’re not here to discuss… pet names. We need to figure out how to turn this situation against Leon. That’s the priority!""Pet names?" Another crisp laugh came from the man's mouth. "You're much more than that, Athena. But... Yes, you have a point too. We should refocus on Leon because by utilizing his ridiculous ways, we will be able to pressure him even more!"Taking a shallow breath, Athena felt slightly relieved as Arthur's attention was no longer focused on her. At least she didn’t have to deal with the captivating gaze o
Athena’s breath hitched as she heard the serious threat from the man beside her. She immediately slapped his hand away as he reached for her face again and moved back while scanning her surroundings warily."How? Are you willing?" he asked, settling back into his throne."What guarantee do I have that you won’t break your promise?""That weak woman will be left here. Anyone can find her and help her escape, but after that, you’ll have to come with us to another place!""To where?"Shaking his head briefly, the man, who still hadn’t revealed his full face, shot her a sharp glance. "You’re asking too many questions, Athena. You’ll find out where it is once you’re with us!"Feeling hands grip her shoulders, Athena immediately struggled. It seemed she was already too late to escape. The masked people around her were closing in, leaving her cornered."Let go of me! I haven’t agreed to anything!" Athena shouted, prompting a few of those around her to chuckle."Unfortunately, you’re out of t
"Ssshh!"Athena's words were cut short as a hand clamped over her mouth from behind. Her heart pounded wildly, fear coursing through her veins. Struggling instinctively, she attempted to elbow her attacker, only to hear a familiar voice chuckle softly."Easy, Athena. It's me!"Her movements halted instantly. She twisted her head, and her wide, terrified eyes met the familiar, calming gaze of Arthur. "You scared me half to death!" she hissed, smacking his chest lightly, though her voice carried no anger. "Sorry about that. I didn’t want to startle you." Arthur offered her a small, apologetic smile. "But I had to make sure no one was following you. Are you alright?""Yeah, I’m fine." Her fear melted into a strange warmth that she couldn’t quite name. "But what happened back there? Why didn’t you come out when I was talking to the police?""I couldn’t risk Leon knowing I was there, Athena. If he suspects me, it’ll complicate everything. I almost caught him tonight, but....""But what?"
Athena's hands instinctively reached out, her arms wrapping around Arthur's neck before he could pull away. Her sudden action caught him off guard, his eyes widening slightly as he gazed down at her."How do you expect your wounds to heal if you keep ignoring them like this?" she began, her voice soft but firm.Gently brushing against the damp skin before her, Athena began at Arthur's broad chest, still marked with several small scratches. Every so often, she glanced back at his face as if waiting for a reaction, her delicate fingers continuing their exploration until they reached the sculpted muscles adorning the surface of his abdomen."Swimming isn’t exactly the best way to recover," she whispered making the man in front of her laugh slightly and restrain her hand movements."So you are my doctor now? Heum?""I’m serious, Arthur!" Athena's brows furrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line. "You can’t keep acting like you’re invincible. What if something worse happens?" "Oh, ar
"These are some of the pieces of evidence I mentioned to you last night, sir."The police officer across from her nodded, his expression unreadable as he accepted the stack of documents from Athena's lawyer. He flipped through the pages, and a flicker of something curiosity crossed his face before he glanced toward the growing crowd of reporters gathering outside the station."So," the officer began, leaning back slightly in his chair, "behind the perfection you always present in front of the cameras, it seems there’s a different story—a messy one. Why are you only reporting this now?"Athena’s lips curved into a faint, practiced smile, but her eyes remained cold. "I was waiting for the right time, sir. But unfortunately, he crossed the line. My patience for him has completely run out.""And where are you staying now?" The officer raised a brow, clearly intrigued. "Are you no longer living under the same roof as your husband?""Not since I was trapped in the elevator, sir. But I inten
"Come in!"Crystal’s face twisted with fury, but before she could respond, Athena turned to the door and let in some employees and cleaners as well."Pack up everything that belongs to Mr. Leon," Athena instructed them with a faint smile adorning her beautiful face. "Move it to one of the smaller offices on the lower floors because this is my space now!""Wait, you can't—""Ssshh! Just like what I said earlier, my dear husband. I've already gotten the green signal from some of the board of directors. So before you're forcibly evicted by them, I'd better get you out of here first!""You’ll regret this, Athena!" Leon stepped forward, grabbing his wife's arm roughly."Do your worst, Leon. I’ve already survived your betrayal, your lies, and your schemes. There’s nothing left you can take from me!""You’re playing a dangerous game!""And I’m winning!" Athena’s lips curled into a sneer as she stepped forward. Seeing this, Crystal then pulled Leon away. She certainly didn't want to let Leon
"Sorry..."Not far from the city's chaos, in a modest apartment tucked inside a quiet complex, Athena sat curled in a chair by the window.She had rented the place under a false name, using forged documents—anything to disappear. She knew Arthur would look for her, and that was exactly why she had to vanish. It was the only way to protect both him and Reyna from more pain."I'm sorry, prince. I'm so sorry," she whispered again, though the words barely reached her ears anymore.Tears welled as she hugged her knees to her chest, forehead pressed to the cool glass. The world outside carried on—cars passing, voices rising—but none of it touched her.The ache wasn’t just emotional anymore. It lived in her body now—tight in her chest, heavy in her limbs. Across the street, a couple walked hand in hand. The man leaned in to adjust the woman’s scarf, s
The rain didn’t fall that night, but the sky remained gray as if it understood that someone was lost in the deafening silence.In the room that once echoed with laughter, Arthur sat alone. The chandelier's dim light reflected dully in his lifeless brown eyes. His fingers gripped his phone tightly, as though he were holding on to the last pieces of hope, now almost completely shattered.Athena’s name was still displayed on the screen. And just like so many times before, there was no answer. He took a deep breath, trying to push down the tightness in his chest while replaying every memory he had of her."Ah, that tickles! Let me go!"That voice still sounded so soft in his ears—the way she giggled as he kept kissing her neck. The echo of her laughter was something he could never forget. Her gaze and her smile always warmed his heart, as if he could still feel them now."Where are you now?" he murmured, barely audible. "Why did you have to leave without a word? Didn’t you say you loved s
"Baby...."When Arthur opened his eyes the next morning, the first thing he reached for was her—soft skin, steady breath, that familiar warmth he’d grown addicted to. But his hand touched only the cool, empty sheet beside him. Frowning, he sat up, blinking through the haze of sleep."Baby?" he called out softly, expecting her to answer from the bathroom.Silence.He waited a few seconds, listening. Still nothing. Throwing back the covers, Arthur climbed out of bed and padded to the bathroom door knocking lightly."Baby? You in there?"No answer.A chill crawled up his spine as he slowly pushed the door open. Empty. Pristine. The room smelled faintly of her perfume, but there was no trace of her presence. No running water. No voice calling back.He turned around, eyes scanning the bedroom again. Her clothes
Athena closed her eyes for a moment as she said her wish. She begged deeply from the bottom of her heart. She hoped that her prayers would be answered soon so that her days could continue to run normally like today."You're incredible!"Arthur's voice suddenly broke the momentary silence that almost brought tears to her eyes. She quickly smiled, before finally looking closely at the handsome face beside her with her fingers still finishing the melody."Don’t say that, prince.""I mean it. Watching you like this... I feel like I’m seeing magic!"Athena laughed for a moment, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. She let her fingers linger on a final note. Her voice softened. "I wouldn’t be here like this if it weren’t for you. I don’t think I’d have found the strength, the will... the music again. You never gave up on me, even when I gav
Tears began to fall again as Athena nodded. She clutched both of his strong arms that were still wrapped tightly around her body, taking a deep breath before fully turning to face the man before her."I’ve fallen so deeply in love with you too, prince," she said, her voice shaky as she tried to hold back the ache in her chest. "So deeply that I can’t stop thinking about you every single second of my life!"With their foreheads pressed gently together, Athena and Arthur finally shared a kiss. It was soft and calming, surrounded by the beauty of the setting sun. Their silhouettes lingered at the edge of the ship, bathed in the golden glow of warm, fading light."I… I need to use the restroom!"As the kiss turned hotter, Athena gently pulled away with her voice breathless. Arthur frowned slightly before finally letting out a small laugh."Again?"&nbs
Athena flinched at the sharp tone on the other end of the line. Her throat tightened, but she still tried to respond with a measured voice."I know, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to delay anything. I just... I got caught up in—"["Spare me the drama!"] The voice cut her off again—cold, commanding, unforgiving. ["You think an apology will fix everything? I don't need your sorry. I need results. You promised to prove yourself, and so far? You're falling behind!"]"I just needed a little more time," Athena whispered, swallowing the knot in her throat. "Please… I—"["You don’t have more time! You only have a few hours left. I made it clear. Get it done and don’t forget to take the pills I gave you. You can’t afford mistakes now, not when things are this close. You know what’ll happen if you mess this up!"]There was a beat of silence as
"Damn it! She really is a control freak!"Crystal could no longer hold back her frustration after the woman beside her had truly left. She shot an annoyed glance at her biological mother, who hadn’t defended her earlier, then narrowed her eyes even more sharply when she turned to Leon—who was sitting silently as if lost in deep thought."Why does it feel like she’s known you for a long time? Were you two close before? Or… was she your ex or something?"Leon returned her gaze, expressionless, before slowly pushing his chair back. "I think this meeting is over, isn’t it? I’d like to head home now. If you all want to stay, that’s up to you.""You... you’re seriously ignoring my question?" Crystal gasped in disbelief, her eyes narrowing even more as her breathing grew heavier. "You’re going to see her, aren’t you? Don’t forget, Leon. My r
Athena breathed, as tears slipped from the corners of her eyes, caught between joy and release.They moved together, slowly at first, learning each other’s rhythms like a love song only they could hear. The world faded around them, replaced only by the shared warmth of skin and the silent thunder of feeling too great to be spoken aloud.In that moment, there was no past pain, no burden of secrets or fears. There were only the two of them—raw, real, and whole.Their whispers became promises. Their sighs became prayers."You are everything!" When they reached the height of their union—when time itself seemed to stand still—Arthur cupped her face and looked deep into her eyes.Tears slid down Athena’s cheeks as she kissed him again and again, whispering against his lips, "I love you, prince! I love you, Arthur! I love you, Mr. James! And I love al
The ocean whispered just beyond the sand, and a soft breeze tangled through Athena’s hair as she leaned gently against Arthur’s side. The two of them sat on a blanket near the shore, not far from their villa—barefoot, warm, and wrapped in the glow of a fire pit flickering beside them. The night had draped its velvet cloak over the island, and above, a sea of stars shimmered like scattered diamonds."It feels like the sky is blessing us tonight." Athena looked up, her voice a quiet melody. Arthur followed her gaze, then turned to her with a soft smile."It’s because you’re under it!"She laughed lightly, nudging him with her shoulder. "Stop that, prince. You’re getting too good at the poetic stuff!""You mean the truth?"Athena rested her head on his shoulder then, letting her eyes close for a moment. "I used to pray for peace. For moments