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Aliana couldn’t forget the happiness on Emmett’s face when she first told him about her pregnancy. She had been certain that mentioning the baby would protect her. There was always a solution, she had reasoned. Once she had some leverage, she’d find a way to manipulate Emmett again.
But Emmett’s response crushed her expectations. He remained motionless, as hard and inflexible as granite. The lack of warmth she had anticipated left Aliana paralyzed with fear.
“Only Athena deserves to bear my child!” Emmett’s words were glacial, and he viciously kicked Aliana down with his foot.
Agony surged through Aliana’s body, but it paled in comparison to the crushing despair engulfing her soul.
It was the end. As the finality of his statement sank in, she realized everything was gone.
“Get her to the hospital. I never want to lay eyes on her, or the illegitimate child she’s carrying, again,” Emmett commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.
Aliana’s heart was overwhelmed with dread and remorse. She wept and begged for clemency, but Emmett, once caring and affectionate, remained unmoved, as detached as ever.
She suddenly understood that she had never truly known Emmett. She had overestimated her importance to him, but in reality, she was nothing more than a fleeting diversion.
The underlings, showing no compassion, hauled Aliana away. Her resistance and desperate cries were disregarded, and nothing could alter her destiny.
Emmett stood alone in the ensuing quiet, a void suddenly growing within him. What had it all been for? Athena was gone, no longer by his side.
The ongoing live stream had reached a record number of viewers,
Emmett picked up the phone his subordinate had offered, his face etched with sadness and regret. He gazed into the camera, his voice heavy with genuine remorse.
“Athena, are you watching? I see my faults now. I beg your forgiveness. Will you return to me? I’ve searched my soul, and I know it’s only you. Please, come back.”
He recorded the admission, making sure it would be shared on video platforms worldwide.
He waited, clinging to the hope that someday Athena would see this, comprehend the depth of his feelings, and come back to him.
Emmett’s public display had achieved its purpose, and inevitably, Athena, on the other side of
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the globe, was compelled to see the news.
She skimmed through the video, barely noticing Aliana’s suffering. When Emmett’s confession appeared on the screen, Athena felt only amusement.
Did he truly love her? Not really. It seemed more like he craved what was now beyond his reach. Now that the “trophy” he desired was gone, his heart refused to accept the loss.
With a sigh, Athena turned off her phone and pulled her scarf tighter, concealing her expression. Her eyes followed Eira, who was happily skipping ahead.
The pair had spent the day exploring the town, allowing the little one to soak in the New Year’s festivities.
Eira’s hands were full of sugar art, paper decorations, and lanterns, each new discovery adding to her wide–eyed wonder.
Athena had intended to caution Eira about cating too many sweets, but the moment the little one pouted, her resolve crumbled. Even when they passed a stall selling brittle and candied fruit, Athena couldn’t bring herself to say no.
Eira ran ahead, her festive outfit bouncing with each joyful step. Athena observed her, her heart a mix of helplessness and affection.
Focused on Eira’s antics, Athena accidentally collided with someone.
Quickly, she apologized, bending down to collect the scattered items. Only then did she notice the elderly gentleman, a red scarf around his neck, his face kind and gentle.
The old man smiled warmly, unperturbed, and withdrew a red envelope from his pocket.
“Happy New Year, and best wishes for good fortune!”
Athena couldn’t decline, accepting the envelope and watching the man slowly walk away.
iHis unhurried gait reminded her of Azrael. She wondered how he was doing now,
Though she had left everything behind, the person she missed most was her grandfather, who had always treated her like his own flesh and blood.
