ATHENA

    FLASHBACK

    7 days ago....

    "It''s only been two hours. Don''t be so anxious," Zayan says to me, but it does nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.

    Alex is unpredictable.

    He may think I fabricated the evidence, and that''s not even the worst that could happen.

    Leah could get her hands on the documents, twist the story like she always does, and paint me as a maniptor.

    I''m pacing the length of Zayan''s office, chewing on my nail, with nerves wing up my throat when the door suddenly ms open, and I nearly jump out of my skin.

    Alex stands there like a force of nature. His shoulders are rigid, his chest is heaving, and those wild green eyes are locked onto me with pure fury.

    "Get the fuck out," he growls, low and dangerous.

    Zayan straightens from where he''s leaning against the desk, ring at Alex. "It''s my office," he snaps.

    I flick my desperate gaze toward Zayan, silently begging him to give us a moment.

    Zayan hesitates for just a moment before he sighs and grabs his jacket from the chair.

    "Yell if you need me," he mutters to me before brushing past Alex with a re. The door clicks shut behind him, and it''s just me and Alex.

    The Tension is thick enough to choke on.

    Alex doesn''t move for a long second.

    Neither do I.

    Alex steps forward and closes his eyes and lets out a heavy sigh, one hand running through his blonde hair from frustration.

    When he opens his eyes again, they''re lethal.

    "Tell me one thing," he says, his deep voice a low whisper.

    My heart stops beating.

    "What?"

    "How did you find out?" He asks as he studies me.

    "Look, I know you might not believe me and even get angry."

    I take a shaky breath, my fingers curling into fists to stop them from trembling.

    "But I swear to you, Alex, I didn''t fake anything. I would never-"

    Before I can finish, Alex steps forward.

    His hand reaches out, almost hesitant, before he brushes his fingers gently against my cheek.

    I freeze.

    His touch is gentle, like a silent plea as his eyes struggle to look at me.

    Like he''s scared I''ll break.

    "I fucked up," he says, his voice so raw it slices right through me.

    I blink at him, stunned, searching his face for any sign of mockery. Some cruel twist waiting tond.

    But there''s none. Only realization and regret.

    "You... you believe me?" I whisper, scared to even breathe.

    He nods once.

    "It''s like we found out at the same time." he mutters with an unbelievableugh. Like he can''t believe he was yed, "Luca was investigating a failed deal for me... and something wasn''t adding up. No records of Leah traveling out of the country. No pregnancy. No fucking antenatal visits. Nothing.

    Thenn showed me your records. He had been investigating since the night Rayen got hurt. He found that your records were not adding up.

    It was like someone tampered with it. We couldn''t tell you because I wasn''t yet sure untiln called me. He had seen the results on the table earlier today. So when I received the envelope... I..."

    I stare at him, the world tilting beneath my feet. I never thought I''d see the day when Alex would be rendered speechless.

    "That''s a relief." I blurt out.

    I thought I''d have to go through another torture session.

    "Is that why you took Rayen''s toothbrush? You knew?"

    "I had just been told by the nurse who Leah hired and was supposed to confirm before talking to you about it."

    He nods.

    I bite my lip.

    We''re both silent. I see him hesitate, as he drags a hand over his mouth like he

    can''t believe the words he''s about to say.

    "She drugged me, Athena," he says, his voice rough with anger. "Then Stole ten million dors. Took advantage of the fact I couldn''t remember shit. And then lied and told me she had my child. I''m not giving her all the me. This is my fault. I failed you and Ry.

    What she did to him doesn''t really affect me. He ruined my life but that''s for another day. Now that we are on the same page, it''s time to hit the second action on the agenda.

    "I want my son back." I speak my mind.

    "Talking about who failed and whose fault it was cer. I want revenge. Against everyone who was involved. Starting with your little bitch!"

    "Athena-"

    "Don''t even think about stopping me Alex. Join me or stay the fuck out of my business!"

    "You know me better than anyone. I''d never let this slide. What do you have in mind?" He asks and my lips stretch into a sick smile.

    "I want her to get a taste of everything she desperately craves just so I can rip it out of her hands, Starting with the results."

    Alex nods, his green eyes darkening.

    "I''ll have Luca keep a tail on her. When shees to my house, I''ll give her the opportunity to take it then I''ll leave the rest to you."

    END OF FLASHBACK

    "SECURITY!" Leah screams and Iugh as I walk towards her,

    Slowly.

    My heels hitting the tiles one tap at a time.

    "No one ising sweetheart. It''s just me and you. But don''t worry you''ll walk down the aisle, although there is a slight change. You can.uhm...call it," I tap my chin," the walk of shame."

    Leahughs as she angrily removes the make up making it even worse, "Alex will

    kill you!"

    Iugh, "Will he now? Kill me the mother of his son?"

    "You murdered-"

    SMACK!

    I hit her so hard she splits her bottom lip but that does nothing to soothe the anger

    I feel.

    "You-"

    SMACK!

    I hit her other cheek before stepping further into her space, trapping her between me and the wall.

    "You stole my son, lied that his yours and you thought you''d go scot free? I know all your bullshit and I''ll make you pay for each one of them"

    Her eyes widen unto saucers as her mouth opens and closes like a damn fish gasping for air.

    "Alex knows at your bullshit. So does every family member. They''re patiently waiting for you to walk down the aisle. The one you''ve been so desperate for. But you know what, you''ll walk with that make up and that dress," I tilt my head to the ugly yellow dress I brought,

    "Don''t forget to smile as you walk. The whole world is watching!

    You wanted the world to see you, Leah? Good. Now they''ll never forget you.

    Leah Woods.

    The clown bride."

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