Chapter 174: News Of Death

Aiden’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline as he pressed his lips into a thin line, mulling over Athena’s question.

"Aiden? When did Antonio join the research team? He has a company to run back in Whale’s City, and operations in several other countries."

Aiden exhaled slowly, wrestling with the possibility that he may have crossed an unspoken line. But then he shrugged it off; Antonio hadn’t asked him to keep it a secret from Athena.

In fact, he had assumed she would be the first person Antonio would want to tell, especially given the depth of his feelings for her.

"I don’t know, Athena. I actually thought he had told you. Maybe he left the company in the care of a family member—his brother, perhaps? If he’s decided to stay here, I guess you know the reason."

Athena shut her eyes, pressing her fingertips to her temples as if trying to massage away the throbbing in her head. Each pulse felt like a carpenter striking a hammer against her skull. She rubbed her forehead tiredly yet gently, hoping to ease the mounting pressure.

"Athena, you aren’t saying anything," Aiden prodded, sensing her silence.

"Aiden, you already know my situation. I’ve tried; it just isn’t working." Her voice was heavy with resignation, and a hint of sadness crept in. "My heart isn’t cooperating with my mind. I doubt it will change its mind if I accept his proposal of marriage."

"No, it won’t. You’ve already experienced one loveless marriage; I wouldn’t want you to go through that again," Aiden said as he maneuvered the car around the last bend leading to their secure location.

"That’s right. I wouldn’t want to do that to Antonio either. He deserves more," She admitted, a wave of uncertainty washing over her.

If Antonio was so intent on being in her life, how would he ever see his forever girl, even if the latter stood right in front of him?

Five minutes later, as they stepped out of the car and faced a dilapidated, old rusted phone booth that had clearly seen better days, Aiden broke the tension. "So, I’ve got some news for you."

bad?" Athena asked, stepping into the

before pressing a rusted button on the machine. With a whirring sound, the platform beneath their feet descended like

turning on the switches that flickered weakly with

his tone grave. "Why did we follow this route again?" He asked, feeling the tension in his gut

time we were here, so this route seemed safer. But that’s beside the point. What’s this bad news?" Athena got a cobweb caught on

heavy wheel on the

is dead," He said after a few beats, each word landing like

of his words. She felt a cold rush of air against

sighed and stepped closer, his presence

they said..." He continued, his voice barely above a

sure? Maybe..." She started, grasping at straws, unwilling to accept

a

narrowing into a furious glare.

had a lot of work to do here," Aiden explained, his tone laced with

felt the pain swell within her, hitting

fell away as a wave of sorrow crashed

back gently, an anchor in the

up the broken pieces of her life, the second person who had taken her in after Antonio, the first stranger

strength, and had even signed the papers for her

the twins again, and knowing they would be heartbroken over this news filled her with a bitter rage—mad at Aiden for not telling her and angry at

for this, Aiden," She muttered, stilling only after a while to regain some composure before stepping out

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255