ATHENA

"Where did Daddy go?" Rayen asks as Luca drives us back home.

I don't know what to say or how to answer that question. Yesterday passed in a blur.

I can barely remember what happened after Alex left or how I hugged Rose

goodbye with promises of catching up.

I've been holding onto my phone like it's my lifeline. Hoping and praying Giana is alright.

She saved me. Gave me an education and made my life so easy.

She had another heart attack and could die.

I have the formula. Maybe I should stop hiding it and use it to save her and have Alex take a dose to prevent this from ever happening to him.

"He had something to do, sweetie. You'll see him soon." I finally find the strength

to answer my son, who nods and focuses on his game.

Luca and I share a look through the rearview mirror.

"You can't keep it hidden from him forever." He says.

I know he's right, but I don't admit it.

I'll tell him when I hear how she's doing.

"Do you think the formula can help?" I blurt out the question.

Well, if Alex knows, then Luca totally knows about it.

"Are you talking to me?" He asks, giving me a straight face.

"Forget it!" I mutter. Not having the strength to fight him today.

"No you can't. It was last used seven years ago. Plus, Giana is old. You'll need to do more tests on its effectiveness, and that could take another seven years. I also suggest you don't repeat that question outside."

I let out a tired sigh and look out the window. Trees blur past. Sunlight flickers through the leaves, painting golden patches across my lap, but it doesn't calm me. My fingers keep twitching, my phone burning a hole in my palm. Still no updates. "Some new people just landed," Luca adds suddenly as he hands me his tablet. "Figured you should see this."

The screen shows a photo taken outside Quinn's Medical Center.

A tall man who looks a hell lot like Alex's dad and a woman with blond hair, is stepping out of a sleek black car.

The woman's face is mostly covered by oversized sunglasses. The man looks cold and makes my backbone shiver.

I frown. "Who are they?"

Luca doesn't answer immediately.

"That's Noah and Sloane's parents." Luca finally answers, and I gasp.

I slide next, and in the next picture, the woman has pulled off her glasses.

"She looks so identical to Ariana. Are they sisters?" I ask.

time. I assumed his parents were late since neither of them spoke about them.

guess that's where she

daughter has been in a

shake of his

sisters. It's crazy but John is one sick

turn to look at

will be cursing soon,

"Why is John sick?"

tell? He married a woman who looks exactly like Ariana. Doesn't that tell

gaze through the rearview, and he shakes head

she fell for Eli and they got married. So the brothers fell off. Giana handing the entire company to Eli didn't

blond too. She's a brunette originally. But I hear she's now a cold ass prosecutor. I don't know why they came, but it isn't to catch

they're here because they're mother is sick." I

hidden agenda I

I agree with Luca.

That's pretty sick.

Rayen. You have nothing

I'm sure we will start on a very lovely

respond, he just snorts and focuses back on the road. His silence feels more

into Isabelle's driveway twenty

help him out of the car.

tension sitting like lead

opens before we can knock, and Isabelle steps

wearing one of her oversized tees and leggings, a cup of tea

Luca and her entire body jolts. She nearly drops

I say, frowning at her reaction.

a bright pink.

hi- ahh.."

forward, no smile on

"Hi, Isabelle."

chokes on air.

and jumps into

missed

you even

tired," she says shifting Rayen to her

Just... can you please watch him

I know

Go.

back for you, okay? Be good. I love you!" I kiss him in

"I love you too!"

one last look, then nod and follow Luca back to the car. Though

what I

Isabelle's reaction was... weird.

I glance at Luca.

His face is unreadable.

Nope.

Not going there.

circus. Not

car rolls

entrance.

Security is tight.

I don't recognize are stationed at the front doors,

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