Chapter 83Athena's POVThese questions swirled around in my head as I got ready for bed, but I still didn't have any answers.The next morning, I woke up having almost forgotten about everything Tristan had said the night before. Maybe it was because I'd gotten so used to him changing his mind about things, saying one thing and doing another. My heart had learned to protect itself by not getting too invested in his words.I went through my normal morning routine, making coffee, checking my phone, getting dressed for work. Everything felt ordinary and familiar, which was somehow comforting after the emotional intensity of the previous evening.I was just finishing my breakfast when I heard a knock at my door. It was still early in the morning, too early for most visitors. Who could that be?Did Tristan tell Orion about my racing? Was he here to give me an ear full about how dangerous it was?I slowly moved to the door, expecting to see him there with an angry face.But when I opened
Chapter 82 Athena's POV"Tristan Hayes," I said through gritted teeth. "If you dare try that thing you're about to do."I heard him giggle playfully, the sound so carefree and boyish that it caught me completely off guard."I'll never do anything unless you ask me to. I was just practicing," he said with that mischievous grin that used to make my heart skip beats when we were teenagers.I pushed him away, not knowing whether I should be angry or amused by his behavior. "You're not a child, Tristan. Grow up."I started walking away from him, needing space to think clearly, but he caught my arm and pulled me back against his chest. The contact sent electricity shooting through my entire body, and I hated how my treacherous heart responded to his touch."I don't care, Ath. I don't mind being a child for the rest of my life, as long as you get to love me," he said, his voice soft and sincere.I looked at him with what I hoped was an annoyed expression, though I wasn't sure I was pulling
Chapter 81Athena's POV "Well, that's too bad because I don't care what you think, Tristan. You don't get a choice in what I do with my life. Racing is what I love and it's what I'll continue doing. No one, not even you, can make me stop."I poured all the spite I could muster into those words, wanting them to sting.Tristan looked genuinely shocked by the force of my speech, but his shock quickly transformed into anger."Do you want to get yourself killed? What are you thinking?""Aren't you doing the same thing? Are you dead?" I shot back.He messed up his hair again, his frustration mounting. "Do you know how many times I've been hurt racing? Do you know how many times I've nearly lost my life? I can't watch you try to kill yourself like this."The thought of Tristan lying in a hospital bed fighting for his life made me feel sick to my stomach. It was something I never wanted to see happen. But that wasn't what was important right now."But you didn't die. And I won't die either."
Chapter 80Athena POVThe sight before me broke my heart in ways I didn't know were possible. Tristan was staring at me like I had just shattered his entire world, like everything he thought he knew about me had been a lie.His eyes never left mine, boring into me with an intensity that made my chest tight. I forced myself to break eye contact, looking anywhere but at his face because the pain there was too much to bear.I didn't understand why he was staring at me like someone who caught his wife cheating.He took slow, deliberate steps toward me, but I didn't move away. Despite everything that had happened between us, despite the anger and hurt I carried, I knew with absolute certainty that Tristan would never physically hurt me. That wasn't who he was.Derek tried to step in front of me, positioning himself as a protective barrier between Tristan and me. But I moved in front of Derek instead, because I could see the dangerous look in Tristan's eyes as he stared at Derek, like he w
Chapter 79 Tristan's POVI'd paused, staring into Sarah's eyes. She'd raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to respond to her question.I'd nodded slowly, but apparently that wasn't enough for her."No, Tristan." She'd shaken her head firmly. "I need you to use your words. Do you love Athena?"I'd stayed quiet, understanding exactly what she was doing. Sarah knew that if I said it out loud, if I actually spoke the words, I'd have to stand by them. She knew I wouldn't be able to stop until I'd made Athena mine."I'm waiting, Tristan. I need to get home to my husband. When you're ready to be truthful with yourself, you know where to find me."She'd picked up her purse and headed for the door again. As her hand touched the handle, I'd finally found my voice."Yes. I love her."The words had felt like they weighed a thousand pounds, like they'd been sitting on my chest for years waiting to be spoken.Sarah had turned back with a raised eyebrow. "I can't hear you.""I said I love her." My voi
Chapter 78Tristan POV"Then make me understand, Tristan." She'd watched me pace like a mother watching a child have a tantrum. "We're all family here. I'm your cousin, yes, but I'm also your sister in every way that matters. Even though we're not blood siblings, and we didn't grow up together. That has to count for something, right?"I'd wanted to tell her that she was my sister, that I didn't care about the technicalities of our relationship. I saw her as family the same way I should see Athena."Don't start with that look," she'd scolded before I could speak."What look?""That look where you're comparing me to Athena. I am not Athena, and Athena is not me. I know you literally grew up together, but she isn't your sister.""She's my younger sister," I'd growled, the words coming out harsher than I'd intended. "She's supposed to be my younger sister.""Okay, fine. She's your younger sister, and so am I." Sarah had leaned forward, fixing me with that penetrating stare that made me fe