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Athena embraced Emmett tightly, her voice brimming with joy as she murmured, “Emmett, I believe we’re destined to be together always. Our paths were meant to intertwine.”
Initially, Emmett had been focused solely on his scheme, but Athena’s words stirred something within him. He yielded to the urge to kiss her, a tender and affectionate gesture filled with the warmth of the moment.
However, a faint sense of guilt lingered in his heart, reminding him of his broken promise to Aliana. He pushed the feeling aside.
He reassured himself that once he secured the family inheritance, he would make amends with Aliana.
As Emmett and Athena grew closer, everything seemed to fall into place with uncanny smoothness.
Athena was consistently present, anticipating Emmett’s every desire. Her gentle voice always knew the right words to say. She seemed to understand his thoughts before he could even express them, always one step ahead.
Their connection was so seamless that Emmett began to take Athena’s constant presence for granted. At times, if not for Aliana reaching out, he might have forgotten about her entirely. After three years together, they naturally became engaged and soon married. They expected a smooth wedding, but when Aliana discovered the news, chaos ensued.
Feeling cornered, Emmett frantically traveled abroad to pacify Aliana. Surprisingly, upon his return, Aliana took decisive action without delay.
A strange irritation washed over Emmett, though he couldn’t pinpoint its source. He tried to suppress the unease as best he could.
Shortly after, Aliana dropped a bombshell: she was pregnant.
Emmett felt a mix of shock and joy, but upon seeing the pregnancy report, his first thought was of Athena.
In their intimate moments, Athena had often spoken of their future together, including children. The idea had remained an unspoken dream.
Azrael had been insistent. Emmett and Athena needed to have a son to secure the family
fortune in the old man’s eyes. But now, despite not being married, Aliana was carrying his child. Emmett was conflicted, feeling both elated and guilt–ridden.
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He stretched the wedding budget to its limit while managing Aliana’s situation. After much contemplation, despite his guilty conscience, he remained firm in his decision.
He would marry Athena, ensure she became pregnant, and then reveal the truth. He would provide for her well–being, ensuring she lived comfortably, and everything would fall into place. Even on the wedding eve, Einmett was confident in his flawless plan, believing it was the best outcome for all involved. However, he failed to see Athena’s own truth, which would shatter his plans.
Rushing towards their new life with a bouquet in hand, a friend’s voice stopped him in his tracks. The wedding, it turned out, had already been called off.
“Impossible!” Emmett initially reacted with disbelief, but reality struck him as he stood before the wedding venue. Athena had already claimed it, and another couple was exchanging vows where he had once envisioned his future with her.
He felt like an outsider in his own life. Desperately searching for Athena, she was nowhere to be found. A nagging question persisted: When had she planned to leave? Why hadn’t be seen it coming?
Emmett was overwhelmed with confusion, unable to shake the haunting thought of losing her. It wasn’t until Athena’s departure that Emmett realized how deeply she had become ingrained in his life. Her absence left an unfathomable void.
To compound matters, he uncovered a cruel deception: Aliana’s pregnancy was merely a manipulation. There had never been a child.
Despite the sting of betrayal, Emmett felt an odd sense of relief. At least now, he could wait. Wait for Athena’s return, though deep down, he feared she might never come back.
After everything unraveled, Emmett could no longer deny the truth; Athena had become irreplaceable in his heart. He had fallen for her, this kind, gentle soul, without even realizing it. But now, he had lost her, and the weight of his foolishness was overwhelming.
In the late hours, alone with his thoughts, Emmett would reflect. Each time he drank, Athena’s absence hit him like a cold wave. She was no longer there, offering him a warm bowl of hangover soup, smiling as she cared for him. His world had grown quict, empty, with only the air as his companion.
“Athena…” he whispered, his voice heavy with regret. “I’ve loved
regret. “I’ve loved you for so long..
With a bitter laugh, he emptied a bottle of alcohol, the words spilling out as if they could undo the damage.
But as he spoke, tears began to flow, uncontrollable and relentless.
It was too late. He knew it all too well now; Athena was gone, and she would never hear those
words. She would never know how deeply he had loved her, always in the warmth of summer.
[End]
