ATHENA

"Dr. Athena!" A sweet, small voice calls as the door swings open.

Rayen rushes in, a whirlwind of tiny footsteps and excitement, and jumps into my arms before I can even react.

I catch him with a soft oof, my arms instinctively wrapping around his tiny frame.

His warmth, his smell, his messy curls pressed against my cheek, and it all hits me like a punch to the chest.

God, I missed him.

It's only been a week since our last play date, but it felt like eternity. Like some sort of cruel punishment. I had to stay in the shadows to set the trap for Leah, but every second away from him, knowing he was my son, tortured me.

I can't believe this little angel who giggles in his sleep and asks me if clouds cry when it rains is actually mine.

The one who slowly took my heart for himself with no plans of returning it back to

me.

My little prince.

"I made you a card," he announces proudly, leaning back to pull out a folded sheet of paper from his jacket pocket.

The crayon strokes are bold and messy with a red cape, a big smile, and a stethoscope drawn around a stick figure's neck.

"Uncle Luca said you weren't feeling well, so I drew you as a superhero! Do you know why?" He giggles, his eyes shining. "Because you save people! So you can't be sick okay?"

Tears blur my vision, the overwhelming wave of emotions rising too fast to hold back.

My heart clenches as emotions fill my chest, and my stomach twists in knots. I want to cry. Tears of joy, tears of relief, and tears of gratitude.

"Thank you, baby. It's perfect!" I whisper.

Luca, completely unaware of the storm

it!"

crosses his arms with

"Told you she would."

Rayen giggles at that.

But just a little. His eyes are still the same, big and blue, filled with endless

I mourned him. For years, I lived with the guilt of thinking I'd lost my child of believing I had somehow taken my own baby's life. I didn't know... I didn't know he was

here he

My greatest gift.

The dam breaks.

escaping despite every effort to keep them

lip quivers. "You're making me very

grip, and pull him gently onto

I begin, my voice low and careful. I feel my heart beating

a genius. He watches my face

something important I need to tell you. Something that happened when you were born..." I swallow hard. "The doctor... made a

presses his lips together, thinking hard, then he asks in the softest

me to

nod, tears slipping

is my mummy and daddy,

and hopeful. A

if he rejects

fills my mind, but I push it

if he does, I'll spend the rest

as the bomb leaves my

is your real daddy... but your mummy, sweetie-"

a mistake. Your

loud I hear

Thud thud thud

stares at me, his brows furrowing, and his lips pursed like

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