Second one for today!
ATHENA “Is this why you brought me here?” I turn to Luca, who has been watching the whole scene quietly.“Yes.”I hated him when he threatened to take my chance of my being with my son. I hated how he looked like he was barely holding back the feeling of murdering me. But now I understand. I would have done the same for my friend. Hell, Isabelle has been my best friend for only a few months, and she has already been to hell and back for me. I can imagine what that did to Luca after being at a threat of losing his friend and having his legacy ruined at once.“I bet you're having a blast knowing I've fucked up.” I laugh in defeat. “Not exactly.”I find that hard to believe. Luca thrives on being right.“Why not?”“Because my best friend is barely holding on. There is nothing blast about that.”Right.Guilt.Guilt is an ugly feeling that slowly eats you up until you're nothing but a shell. You start giving yourself excuses hoping they will save you but even those are never enough.A
ATHENA“Why are you so breathless? Is it because of what Melania said?” He takes one step forward. Melania?He laughs. But there isn't any humor in the sound. “You put them up to it?” I ask, shock evident in my voice. “Well of course I did. Congratulations, your name isn't anywhere In the article. But from how you behaved and rushed to call Zayan, I'm guessing you had to confirm what you said didn't slip out of his bitching mouth isn't it?”My heart sinks. “That's not why I called him.” I lie but he doesn't buy it. If anything he just seems to get angrier. Tears burn my eyes. “Get in the fucking car, Athena!” He growls. My knees buckle. I would rather he kills me right here in the open, I'm not going anywhere near his car!“No.”“No?”“No… No, I’m not going anywhere with you.”My legs are trembling.I feel sick.The Athena that used to feel safe around him is gone.His usually bright eyes and cheerful face is something completely different. He looks so angry I can't even tell t
ATHENA“Vitals are stable.” The nurse announces as the beeping of the monitors grow even louder in the pounding of my ears.My gloved fingers tremble slightly as I grip the scalpel, my eyes locked on the exposed part of the patient's abdomen. I’ve done this kind of procedure more times than I can count, but today, it feels foreign. Like I’m watching myself from the outside.“Dr. Dawson?” The nurse softly nudges me, and I mumble a low, “Thanks.”But it’s automatic. My thoughts aren’t aligned. So many questions are picking inside my brain, and I can't seem to push it back. Zayan is the one who holds the answer to the biggest question, but he hasn’t answered my calls in hours. Which is very odd. Steadying my breathing by taking a deep breath, I make an incision along the artery to clamp it, but the moment I do, a sharp rush of blood splashes across my gloves.“Pressure’s dropping!” a nurse shouts.My eyes widen.Shit. Shit.“I need suction, now!” I try to steady my breathing, tr
LUCA“Will you look at that? The prince is finally awake.” I speak lazily, leaning back in my chair, twirling the blade between my fingers.His eyes flutter open, dazed while he blinks into the dim room. It takes a second for him to realize where he is.Strapped to a chair, his mouth taped and his wrists bound behind his back wearing just boxers and a vest."That's a nice article. Pretty cute don't you think?" I toss the newspaper on the floor for him to see. He starts to squirm, grunting into the tape.I lean in, close enough for him to feel the cold steel of the blade press against his cheek.“I’m sorry, did you say something?”His muffled curses make me smile. That arrogant little prick still thinks he will be able to speak again after I'm done with him.I stand up slowly and tear the tape off. “I'm in a very bad mood right now, so you better start speaking, or you will see the worst of me!”“You sick son of a bitch! I will report you. Once my father hears about this you're done
ATHENA “Will you pick me up again, Mummy?” my little prince asks, his voice hopeful and sweet.I turn to face him with a huge smile. “Of course, baby. I will. I can even pick you up every day! Is that what you want?”He nods eagerly, his curls bouncing as I lift him into my arms and start tickling his sides.He bursts into laughter, wriggling with delight. “Mummy, stop! You’re making me laugh!”“That’s the point!” I tease, kissing his cheeks again and again until he squeals.The bell rings, and I walk him toward his class. His little hand grips mine tightly. I crouch down and fix the collar of his shirt before brushing a kiss to his forehead.“Be good, okay?”“I will. I love you, Mummy.”“I love you more, baby.”He lets go of my hand and runs into class, waving at the door before it shuts behind him.I exhale slowly, letting the warmth of the moment soak in for a second before I turn and walk toward the parking lot.My steps halt as I notice a familiar face leaning against my car
ATHENA I rush out as the wind slaps me on my face. Everything comes crashing down, and I feel my heart pump even faster. “How'd it go? Does he have it?” Zayan asks when I enter the car. “Even if he does, he wouldn't admit it.” I grind out as I hold back my tears.He betrayed me. My hands shake as I look at the photos on my phone. They're from the security footage, and in it is Ryan. Walking into my apartment empty-handed and walking out with a damn box.Anger surges through me in ways I didn't know was possible. How dare he do this to me?What did you expect, Athena? That the man had fallen head over heels for you? A little voice taunts me in the worst way possible. The car suddenly feels too small, and I feel like I can't breathe. “You don't have to be strong with me, Athena. You can cry if you want to. You know I'm here for you.” Zayan says, but it does nothing to soothe my aching heart.“Thank you for being here. Without your connection, I wouldn't have gotten that footage.”