Chapter 128: Christmas Dinner II

Ewan inhaled softly, attempting to calm the rising palpitations of his heart as Athena stepped closer to him, after shutting the door behind her.

What is she doing? He wondered, taking in the cold glint in her eyes that only intensified his growing unease. His gaze darted to the door for a second, and he could almost hear the hushed whispers of his friends inside, their curiosity spilling into the hallway like an uninvited guest.

For an hour, he had stood outside, torn between wanting to be part of the merriment and feeling like an outsider.

With every burst of laughter that floated through the door, his heart constricted tighter and his head pounded harder. Each chuckle from inside felt like a stab to his gut, a reminder of what he was missing.

It was only when the ache threatened to overwhelm him that he had decided to knock, seeking answers—answers he feared might only lead to more questions.

*How could his friends trust this woman despite all the proof he had shown them?

Earlier that day, he had even contacted a hacker to dig up more information on Athena’s shady dealings. The hacker had delivered more incriminating evidence than he had anticipated, articles detailing her suspected ties to the Russian mafia.

How could he let such a woman train his children?

Yet, beneath the swirling anger was a nagging desire to understand her—to reason with her about the missteps she had taken on her dark path to fame.

"You will never let me in, will you?" He muttered finally, his voice low as Athena closed the distance, standing only a couple of feet away.

Up close, he noticed her flushed complexion, a telltale sign of her wine indulgence from the evening’s festivities. Her rosy lips, stained deeper with red, looked enticing and made him yearn for a moment he had long since buried.

thought, shaking his head internally. He was here for the kids, for his friends—not for

will you speak?"

uncomfortable, right?" Athena finally broke her silence, stepping

her voice steady. "You’ll make the atmosphere uncomfortable, and

wall as exhaustion draped over him.

a sharp, sarcastic laugh. "First, it was me being at the center of a sinister research that has led to the deaths of many, and now it’s the Russian mafia? Where do you get this outlandish information? Because I’m certain it’s

Sandro is too sentimental," Ewan retorted, his tone laced with bitterness. "Somehow, he trusts you now—more than he trusts

true." Her voice was firm, commanding even. "Sandro just stands for the truth, just like Zane. They’re

in his eyes. "You’re the one living a lie, Athena. And I’m going to

lips, amusement glinting in her eyes. "We’ll see about

determination lining his words. "I

skepticism creeping in. "Don’t you feel weird demanding full

a punch, and he paused, pondering the sting of her accusation. "I would have talked this over with you if not for the truth I

her head slightly, contemplating. "That’s okay then. See

came to an end. He stood tall, but it was too sudden—a wave of dizziness crashed

into action. "What’s going on? Did

his head, his legs weakening as he sank

she could rush away, Ewan called after her, panic threading through his voice. "Don’t let Sandro and Zane see

nodded quickly, darting back into the apartment

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