After 100 Nights of Betrayal, I Became Zeus’s Heir

Three days ago, my biological father, Zeus, finally tracked me down.

He revealed my true heritage: during the Great Titan War years ago, I was stolen in the chaos and cast down to the mortal world.

All these years, Zeus never gave up searching for me.

He was practically in tears, desperate to take me back to Mount Olympus right away.

But I hesitated. Because of Orion.

I just couldn't let go of our seven years together that easily.

So, I asked Zeus for three days to think about it.

Yet, just as I was about to share this incredible news with Orion—my heart fluttering with joy and nerves—I got hit with the announcement of his grand wedding to Selene.

My blood instantly ran cold.

I lay in bed, eyes closed, my mind a chaotic mess. Suddenly, a warm body pressed against my back, accompanied by the overwhelming scent of lilacs.

It was Orion, returning straight from her chambers.

His hot palm slid under my shirt with familiar ease, carrying the damp chill of the sea.

His voice was gentle, lingering: "Did I wake you? It’s still early. Let's stay in bed a little longer, yeah?"

He had no idea that on all those nights he snuck out to the gardens with Selene, I was awake.

I’d just pretend to sleep, watching him slip back in, wide awake and breaking inside.

Lately, he’d been staying at Selene’s palace until dawn. He was soaked in that sickening lilac perfume.

I shoved him away in disgust.

"Go wash up. You reek."

He sniffed his sleeve, looking faintly sheepish as he let go of me.

"I’m sorry, Thalia. I've been neglecting how you feel."

"Are you jealous because I’ve been spending so much time with Selene lately? How about I make it up to you over the next few days?"

"I’m sure Selene will understand if I take a few nights off."

I stared at him in dead silence.

Since when did his time with me require Selene’s understanding?

Anyone else would think I was the homewrecker intruding on their relationship.

But the truth was, we had been together for seven years. We already had a child.

Orion stripped off his shirt, revealing his lean, sculpted abs.

Water droplets glimmered on his skin, radiating that fierce, commanding presence he always had.

Just like the very first time we met.

I had been swept into the ocean during a cruise ship accident.

He cut through the waves like the god he was and pulled me from the jaws of death.

When we reached the rocks, he peeled off his soaked clothes and casually wiped the saltwater from his chest.

My face burned, and I quickly looked away.

But he grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"I saved your life. From now on, you belong to me."

"I claimed you the moment I laid eyes on you, mortal. Be mine. You can gaze at me whenever you want, for as long as you want."

Now, though, my gaze only dropped to his chest.

There was a glaring red scratch right over his heart—a sickening reminder of just how wild his nights with Selene really were.

Seeing me staring at his chest, Orion flashed a cocky grin.

A dark gleam flashed in his eyes as he reached out to pull me back into his arms.

"Baby, you want me, don't you? I'll give you whatever you want."

He leaned in excitedly, but I frowned and turned my face away.

He wasn't the man I knew seven years ago.

That cheap scent belonging to another woman was baked into his skin; no amount of washing could scrub it off.

It made me sick to my stomach.

Before I could shove him away, an anxious messenger banged on the door, interrupting us.

"Lord Orion! Lady Selene is feeling unwell! Please come quickly!"

The moment he heard Selene was sick, Orion’s playful smirk vanished.

He threw on his coat without a second thought, his voice tense: "She was fine when I left her palace!"

Only then did he remember me. He glanced back at my expressionless face and offered a half-hearted excuse:

"I have to go. I’ll be right back."

"My brother is dead; taking care of Selene is my responsibility now. Don't worry, we'll pick up where we left off when I get back."

In the past, I would’ve been the idiot waiting around for him to return, waiting for him to keep his promises.

But now? I was done waiting.

I gave him a faint smile.

Orion looked relieved. He turned and left without a second thought, abandoning my son and me in that cold, lonely side-palace once again.

Clearly, he didn't realize I already knew about his upcoming wedding with Selene.

I closed my eyes, letting the sharp sting in my chest wash over me.

Whatever.

His hypocrisy would only make walking away with my son that much easier.