Chapter 25 - Because it''s a fake Marriage

    Athena

    The door shuts and I keep my face forward, like I haven''t heard him walk in.

    I arrived a few hours ago with

    Ryan helping me while my husband probably went toy off some steam with the love of his life.

    I tried to shower but it''s been

    a bitch because I''m still so sore and I almost died in there.

    I imagined Ryan''s face pale when he heard my scream but couldn''te in.

    Alex would kill him.

    My entire body is in pain but I''d rather die than show that weakness.

    "How are you feeling?" His deep voice caresses my skin.

    But I harden my heart and fix my face.

    "Fine."

    "Athena."

    "I''m tired, Alex. Let me just watch TV in peace."

    Silence settles

    between us, heavy and suffocating. I keep my eyes glued to the screen, even though I''m not really watching. I can

    feel him standing there, his

    presence pressing down on me, but I refuse to look at him.

    I hear him sigh, then the rustling of fabric as he moves. I expect him to leave, but

    instead, he walks closer. I tense when I feel the

    couch dip slightly beside me.

    "Ryan said you almost fell in the shower." His voice

    is calm, but there''s an edge to it.

    I swallow hard. Ryan talks too much. Fire him and get someone new."

    Alex exhales through his

    nose, and I can sense his frustration. He doesn''t like when I dismiss things, but

    he has no right to care.

    Not when he left me behind without a second thought.

    Not when he lied about us with a straight face, putting me in apromised position again. I understand he did it to protect Nana but couldn''t he just ignore her question? It''s better than lying, right?

    "You''re in pain," he states pulling me out of my angry thoughts and I roll my eyes.

    He truly is annoying as fuck.

    Or maybe I''m just angry. When are my periods due again?

    "I''m fine."

    I hear a scoff. "You can''t even sit properly, Athena."

    My jaw tightens. "Then leave. No one asked you to sit here and watch."

    For a moment, there''s silence again, thick with tension. Then, I feel his hand

    reach for the remote, and before I can react, the TV

    shuts off.

    I whip my head toward him, ring. "What the hell?"

    He leans back against the head of the couch, stretching his legs out as if he owns the ce. Which, technically, he does. "If you don''t want to talk, then I don''t see why you need the TV on."

    "Alex-"

    "You want to act like a brat? Fine." He tilts his head slightly, watching me with those cold, unreadable eyes. "But that doesn''t mean I''ll tolerate it."

    I clench my fists, hating how easily he gets under my skin. "Why are you even here? Shouldn''t you be with her? His expression doesn''t change,

    he words taste bittering out.

    ost fell

    ace t as you ran out of the hospital when

    as he responds, "Too bad I don''t have wings. I''d have flown if it meant reaching her quicker."

    His words hit harder than they should. I hate that he

    knows exactly where to aim, how to twist the knife just right.

    I force augh, though there''s nothing funny about this. "At least you admit it."

    He doesn''t react. Just watches me like I''m some puzzle he can''t quite figure out.

    "You''re mad," he states.

    "No shit, Alex." I shift slightly, but the pain makes me wince. He notices. Of course, he does. His eyes darken, his jaw clenching.

    I brace myself for whatever he''s about to say, but he surprises me.

    Without a word, he stands and disappears into the bathroom.

    I stare after him, confused, until he returns with a bottle of painkillers and a ss of water.

    "Take them," he orders, holding them out.

    I don''t move.

    "I don''t need your help."

    He exhales sharply, jaw ticking. "Athena take the fucking pills or I swear to everything living, I''ll shove them down your throat."

    "How touchy. Who knew Alexander

    King was so passionate? Careful, if word gets out you might lose your reputation as an asshole."

    "Shut up.

    The pain returns, I swallow my pride and grab the cup from

    him and take the damn pills shamelessly.

    I expect him to leave, but he doesn''t. He just sits back down, watching me like he''s waiting for

    something.

    I shift ufortably. "What now? Are you going to babysit me all night?"

    He shrugs. "If I have to."

    I scoff. "What about your precious Leah? She''s

    probably waiting for you. Won''t you call her?"

    Something flickers in his eyes, but it''s gone before I can catch it....

    "She''s probably busy picking out her wedding dress knowing the day is near."

    Bastard.

    A bitterugh escapes me. "Of course, she is. Must be nice."

    The words slip out before I can stop them, "Why are you here, Alex?"

    "I don''t owe you

    an exnation, Athena. This is my house I can sit wherever the fuck I want."

    "Right." I force a smile. "I bet I have no rights to any of your things because this marriage is fake, right?"

    His jaw tightens. "Right."