Chapter 23 ~ A perfect future doesn't exist

Chapter 23 - A perfect future doesn't exist

Athena

2

"Ohhh, I'm so glad you're better, my baby. I'm sorry I couldn't be with you as you checked out. Something came up,” Giana says from her hospital bed, her warm smile easing some of the tension in my chest. I laugh softly. "I can see that."

She looks tired but still elegant, her silver hair neatly pinned back, her frail hands resting on the blanket. The monitors beep steadily beside her and my heart aches for her.

I sit beside her, reaching for her hand. She squeezes mine gently.

"I was worried about you," she says.

I glance down, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I'm fine, granny."

Her green eyes study me, the way only she can. "Liar."

I force a smile. "I learned from the best."

She chuckles, but there's sadness in it.

"That boy of mine... he loves you in his own way, you know. I know you two feel like

we had to force it upon you, but I trust my instinct. And it says you two make a perfect match."

I don't answer.

My heart swells as the

words from yesterday echo. He wished I had split my skull open just so I could save him the trouble and

time for him to marry the love of his life.

That doesn't sound like a perfect match to me.

After a little while, I

help adjust her pillows, making sure she's comfortable. She tries to keep me there longer, but Alex enters.

"How's my favourite lady?" He walks over to her with a smile on his face.

It's not the first time I've seen him smile. He always pulls his walls down around his mother and grandmother. How can someone who loves his mama and Nana so much be so cold?

Or is it me that repels him?

I watch as he

leans forward and places a soft kiss on her forehead. She smiles at him while placing her weak hands on each side of

his face.

"You're going to be okay. I've made some calls. You'll get a transplant soon."

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"I'm 70, Alex. I'm tired. I don't want a transplant."

Alex's eyes are filled with fear and it's the first time I've seen

that feeling in his eyes.

"Nana." He warns.

"I want to see you two become parents. If you want me to get a transplant, then have a baby." She argues and Alex locks his jaw.

I hold my breath.

seeing me tied to him. I know that but it

feel about that. That's

looks at me, "My dear Athena,

nod. Wheeling my wheelchair out, but as I close

know you've been meeting that Leah girl in secret. You need

focus on your

is now hard.

Athena. We make a perfect match. I simply met Leah for business."

I look stupid?"

I love

what's not there. I'm

the perfect-wife." He places another kiss on

bring me a child. I want to see her

once she is done with school, we can

is lying with

had this

lying, I'll

to hear Alex's

myself away from the door, my

metal,

It shouldn't hurt.

to

sealed with ink and

not love.

like we're so in love,

straight face all to

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A child?

laugh at the

weak

it was back to

morning. He never used a condom but he always

me

stop

feel like they're closing in, the weight of pretending is

sit in the waiting area,

the wheelchair as I stare blankly at the pale hospital walls. The

compared to the ache

A child?

I laugh again—

soft, bitter sound that draws a few curious glances from nurses passing by. The absurdity of Alex's lie still echoes in my mind. He spoke so smoothly, so effortlessly,

him. To weave a fantasy of a perfect

future that

I notice Ryan is waiting near the

phone. He glances up when he

go, Mrs King?" he

Mrs King.

sends a bitter taste

can answer, footsteps echo

Alex.

him, but I feel him,

shifting as he moves closer. His presence is suffocating,

even without a

single word.

"We're leaving," he says.

don't respond, just let him wheel me forward. But as we reach

his posture, his grip tightening on the wheelchair for

like that,

"Ryan, take her home."

Three words. Dismissive. Detached.

turn to look at him, but he's already

hesitation.

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