But the moment he stepped outside and the cold night air hit his face, Tyler sobered up instantly.

Everything that had gone down in the private room had already left him feeling embarrassed; now, chasing after Athena on the street with the reclaimed gift in hand only made things worse.

Clutching the watch tightly, he hesitated for just a moment before hurrying to his

car.

He barely gave a thought to the alcohol he'd consumed as he started the engine and headed home.

But Athena hadn't gone back to his place-she must have gone to her own apartment.

Tyler quickly called for a ride to Athena's building, but no matter how hard he knocked, she never came to the door.

Inside, Athena sat on the bed in her master bedroom, clutching a photo of Kerwin.

In the picture, Kerwin wore his school uniform, the tiny beauty mark on his nose standing out in a way that seemed almost heartbreakingly youthful. The energy of his younger self practically radiated from the photograph.

Athena slowly slid down to the floor, holding the picture tight as she began to cry.

Even as she wept, she was careful not to grip the photo too hard, terrified of damaging it.

Outside, Tyler's voice echoed in the hallway, accompanied by the insistent chime of the doorbell—both sounds grating on Athena's nerves.

She decided to simply pretend she hadn't heard a thing.

Tyler kept calling her name, pounding on the door for a while. Eventually,


memories of his actions that night came flooding back, and in frustration, he slapped himself.

watch had cost

girlfriend had done something like that, he would have walked out without looking

the doorbell, calling

no answer, and he couldn't be sure if Athena

pulled out his phone and

Athena too, but got

up Fitch and asked him

Athena's cell was nearby,

situation, and soon enough, they helped him unlock

through the living room, but there was no

landed on the master bedroom door, still closed

walked over


you

Kerwin's photo, wanting nothing

absurd she'd been-how could she

wasn't even worthy to

hand was red from pounding on the door, and he was running out of

you don't open this door, you'll regret it! I'm

new watches to make up for the one she lost,

want? Were they really going

"Athena! Come out here!"

no matter how much he pleaded or threatened, the room

"We're not breaking

for tonight, it was

you five new watches


San

can get

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