Chapter 3: Dunked

Mia

It felt like I'd been dunked in an icy bath, chilling my bones into reality. She leaned closer to Damon holding his arm and looking up at him with a smile. 

But all I could focus on was the jewellery adorned on her neck. The necklace I thought he'd bought for me.

Laughter arose, forcing me to reality in time to see Mara pull  the young woman, her attention completely on her. 

“Athena, my sweet daughter. I missed you so much." She said warmly, looking at her with open pride and affection. 

I felt numb to it all, yet processed the information.

So this was Athena. The one Mara had always compared me to and Damon rarely mentioned. Tracing her face, I could see the resemblance in mother and daughter. Athena looked beautiful, her long blonde strewn like a halo. She looked almost like an angel.

“Mom I'm fine thanks to Damon.” she laughed, turning back to Damon, “he took care of me on the way here. I told him there was no need but he insisted on picking me up from the airport. He drove such a long way and waited for hours. I'm so grateful to him.”

“You know he's always had a soft spot for you.” Mara cooed. Those words struck hard.

I looked at Damon. His gaze was averted.

The realization settled heavily in me.

The emergency he'd stated. The reason he'd shifted so abruptly and abandoned everything in a flash. It was because he'd gone to pick her from the airport. 

A memory flashed on my mind from months ago. Once, my car broke down on a lonely road while I was returning from a branch office and I called him to help me. At first he was receptive, promising to arrive, yet hours passed. It wasn't until a tow truck arrived that I returned to the company. 

Back then, I'd assumed that he was busy in a meeting only to find out that he had been in his office all along. When I confronted him later that night, he didn't even face me as he said that the path was too long and he was occupied.

That journey was thirty minutes away. The airport was an hour away.

I shut out those thoughts. Why shouldn't he pick her up? She was his family after all.

Mara’s voice cut through my thoughts again, light and teasing, but carrying something underneath that made my stomach turn.

“Honestly, you both look so good together,” she said, her eyes moving between them with clear satisfaction. “How I wish you two… ah. I'm thinking too much anyway. forget it.”

 Her words were vague but carried a strange implication. A wave of discomfort rose in me, sharp and sudden, but I held it back, forcing my expression to remain steady.

Only then did Athena seem to notice me. Her gaze shifted over, her lips curving into a small, coy smile.

“You must be my sister-in-law. It’s so nice to meet you,” she said, moving towards me whilst looking me over before frowning slightly, “I didn't expect to see you like this. Your outfit is…flattering. If I didn't know any better I would think you got lost looking for an office.” 

Those words made me stiffen, giving me the urge to shrink back. After hours working, stress and constant illness I now knew was from pregnancy, I surely looked like a mess compared to her glamorous pure appearance.

 She suddenly giggled, waving her hands.

 “Don't mind me, I must be exhausted, talking nonsense. I'm just playing around, don't take it seriously. I hope you aren't really offended, right sis in law?” 

Before I could respond, Mara scoffed and waved her hand lightly, as if brushing something insignificant away.

“There’s no need to mince it. You aren't wrong.”

Her words were like a slap in the face. I instinctively looked at Damon. Wasn't he going to say something?

But he didn't. For a moment, his gaze, focused on me, wavered, and he turned away just as quickly. 

“Let's go, Athena. Let me take you to your room.” He said.

A pang ran through me. In the past, even when he was cold towards me, he would speak up whenever his mother spoke out of turn. It was one of the reasons why despite everything, I held on. 

“Coming,” Athena smiled, fiddling with the necklace before she gasped, looking at me with sparkling eyes.

“Oh right, Damon gave this to me as a gift, sister-in-law. I really need your opinion. How does it look?”

A lump formed in my throat but I forced a smile.

“It looks beautiful.” 

She looked satisfied at my answer.

“Honestly, it was enough that he waited for so long. I really didn't expect a limited edition necklace to follow.” She chuckled before looking at me, “I'm just sure he also got one for you. He's always so extravagant with the people he loves, isn't he?”

My heart clenched.

I had never been materialistic. Being an orphan coming from nothing, I was self-sufficient and grateful for everything I achieved with my hands. I never asked for anything more. I had married Damon not for his wealth but for HIM. 

I wouldn't have cared if he hadn't given me any gifts. But those words.

The people he loves…

I couldn't recall what came after as Athena passed me. All I felt was a sinking feeling and the strange sensation of someone's gaze.

>>>>>>>

Dinner came soon. When I arrived, Mara and Damon were present. As usual I sat across from him.

When Athena arrived, she moved to Damon’s side without hesitation. I inhaled sharply.

“You can't sit there,” I said, making all eyes fall on me. Athena frowned.

“Why not? I used to sit here before I went abroad. I hope there isn't any problem.” She said, confused. My belly tightened.

“He—” 

Before I could speak Mara huffed, cutting me off.

“I really don't know what your problem is Mia. She's always been used to sitting next to Damon. I won't let you make her uncomfortable for your whims.”

At that, Athena moved forward to sit. I tensed as I looked at Damon, waiting for him to object. 

But he didn't. Instead, as Athena settled beside him, he seemed to relax.

I could only watch, stunned as she sidled in close enough that their shoulders brushed.

Damon had always favoured his personal space. Even when we were dating, he stated that he never liked the idea of someone sitting beside him while he ate and would instinctively back away. I accepted it quickly back then as one of his quirks, even joking about how I had the advantage of seeing his handsome face directly.

How ironic it felt now.

His rules didn’t apply to her.

Something in my chest tightened, slow and uncomfortable, but I looked away.

The dinner went on. Throughout, Mara and Athena kept talking, sharing stories about the past and her childhood. Most of them are about Damon and Athena.

Every single new story was about how close they were, how Damon had supported Athena and cared for her deeply.

Their voices were the only ones in the dining room. Damon didn't say anything, but he never refused it either.

I shouldn't have been bothered. They were siblings. 

Yet with every new story my grip on the fork tightened.

After another peal of laughter Mara sighed and spoke again.

“Its good that you're here to stay. Now I won't have to worry about you abroad plus, you get to spend more time with Damon and make new memories.”

My hands halted, latching onto one word.

“She's staying here?” 

My voice rang once more. Mara frowned at me.

“Of course. This is her home. Is there a problem?” she asked, her voice defensive, but I didn't care.

It gave me enough whiplash that Athena had arrived here without any warning while they were both aware.

“I’m Damon's wife and also a part of this family yet nobody informed me of her return in the first place.” I said in a measured tone, glancing at Damon before I continued, “I’ve been completely blindsided, which is why I'm asking. Plus, after living alone for a long time wouldn't it be better if she had her own place to adjust?”

It was, despite my tamped feelings, a genuine suggestion. 

The sound of a hand hitting the table rang loud. Mara glared and pointed at me.

“How. Dare. You.” she spat, “are you stating that my daughter isn't even welcome in her own home!?”

I flinched. That wasn't what I meant. 

But before I could defend myself Athena spoke.

“Mother, it's okay. I understand, sister-in-law. I can just stay in a hotel. I really don’t want to be an inconvenience to you or Damon. Please don’t be upset with my mother.”

My brows furrowed. Why was she speaking like this?

“I didn't mean—”

“Enough.”