ATHENA

 

The cool wall presses into my back, but it’s nothing compared to the icy words Alex hurls at me.

 

We arrived too early and more people are yet to come. We always do this because it gives us enough time to catch up as a family.

 

I used to love it but tonight, I wish I didn’t have to come.

 

“You should enjoy playing the part while you still can,” he says, his voice devoid of warmth. His green eyes gleam with something cruel, something calculated. Something cold. This man must not be human.

 

“Because the title was never yours to begin with.”  He goes on.

 

My heart clenches.

 

I should be used to it by now.

 

The sharp edges of his words, the way he wields them like knives, cutting me down without hesitation. But somehow, each one still manages to pierce deeper than the last.

 

I swallow past the lump in my throat, refusing to let him see how much it hurts.  How much it breaks me to pieces with every word he says.

 

“I never wanted your damn title,” I whisper the lie, my voice tight.

 

Alex chuckles darkly, stepping closer, his presence suffocating.

 

“Didn’t you?” He tilts his head, mock curiosity in his expression. “Is that why you cling so desperately to this charade? Because deep down, you love pretending to be my wife?”

 

My nails dig into my palms. “You don’t—”

 

But before I can finish, his lips crash against mine.

 

My breath falters, my mind blanking as warmth floods through me. His hands grip my waist, pulling me flush against him, and for a brief, foolish moment, I let myself believe it’s real.

 

Tears slip down my cheeks, hot and traitorous, but I don’t pull away.

 

I melt into him.

 

Because I love him. Because no matter how much he tries to break me, I’m still his.

 

I tilt my head, about to kiss him back—

 

And then, he rips himself away.

 

His gaze burns with disgust as he wipes his lips with the back of his hand as if my touch was something vile.

 

“Fix yourself,” he mutters coldly, straightening his jacket.

 

His eyes flick over my face—my tear-streaked cheeks, my trembling lips—before he turns on his heel and walks away without another glance.

 

The silence he leaves behind is deafening.

 

I stand there, my body trembling, my heart splitting open.

 

Of course.

 

Of course, it was nothing.

 

I bite my lip hard enough to sting, forcing myself to breathe. Blinking back the remaining tears, I lift my chin and smooth down my dress, gathering the broken pieces of myself before following after him.

 

As I step back into the main hall, Ariana catches sight of me. Her eyes twinkle with amusement, and she grins.

 

“Oh, there you two are!” she teases. “Couldn’t wait until you got home, huh?”

 

“I told you not to disturb them, Ariana!” Granny says and Ariana laughs.

 

“Oh, mother! I was just worried. But after seeing them in such a…. position. Let’s just say, that baby is coming pretty soon!”

 

The words hit like a blade to the chest.

 

So that’s what it was.

 

She must have walked in.

 

And Alex, ever the perfect son, ever the flawless businessman, covered it up with a kiss to play the role of a doting husband.

 

Using me. Again.

 

I force a small, tight-lipped smile, nodding as if my world isn’t collapsing.

 

“It wasn’t like that,” I murmur, swallowing the bitter taste of humiliation.  Hoping they’ll take my words literally but I know to them, my response probably sounds like I’m just shy and that makes me want to rip my hair out.

 

Ariana laughs, patting my arm before turning back to her conversation.

 

“Don’t be shy of your love my baby. Love is a beautiful thing and if not for my fibroid, I’d have shown you evidence by having lots of babies!”

 

“Mum!” Alex, complains.

 

“What!? where do you think you came from?” She shrugs.

 

Eli, Alex’s father laughs. So does Granny making Alex groan in annoyance meanwhile my heart is still bleeding and I’m here trying to force a smile.

 

I barely have time to steady my breathing before a sharp gasp cuts through the air.

 

“Oh my God,” Ariana’s voice drips with fury. “Why the hell is that girl walking in with a damn invitation?”

 

“Alex, did you invite her?” Nana questions, her voice clipped showing how displeased she is.

 

My stomach knots as I follow her gaze.

 

Leah.

 

She stands there, looking breathtaking as always—delicate features, soft waves of golden hair falling over her shoulders, her eyes brimming with that perfect innocence that makes everyone adore her.

 

Everyone except Alex’s family.

 

And me if that counts.

 

Because I know what she is.

 

I know what she means to Alex.

 

“Send her away before I cause a scene,” Ariana seethes, her face twisted in anger.

 

Good. Let her cause a scene.

 

Let everyone see the mess he has created.

 

I cross my arms, my nails digging into my skin, waiting for him to do something. To say something. But before he can, Leah reaches our table.

 

And suddenly—her arms are around me.

 

My entire body locks up.

 

I hear a few stunned gasps around the table, but all I can focus on is the woman hugging me.

 

What the actual hell?

 

“Thank you for inviting me, Athena,” she says softly, stepping back with a bright, plastic smile.

 

My breath stutters.

 

A million emotions crash into me—rage, confusion, betrayal.

 

Why in God’s name would I invite the woman my husband wants to leave me for?

 

I dart a sharp glare at Alex, my heart pounding. He meets my gaze, unreadable, his expression cool and composed.

 

“Calm down, everyone,” Alex, finally speaks, his voice sounding bored as he settles his gaze on me. “Athena was the one who invited Leah. I think she agrees Leah will make a great addition to the Kings & Co. new campaign.”

 

“Over my dead body!” Ariana spits making Leah pause and her eyes flicker in fear.

 

My nails curl into fists.

 

This man—this cruel, heartless bastard—really just stood there and made me look like an idiot.

 

Not only did he bring her here, but he made it seem like I invited her.

 

Like Leah wasn’t the reason he was trying to throw me out of his life in the first place.

 

I want to scream.

 

I want to slap that smug, indifferent look off his face.

 

“Athena darling, you got the invitations this morning.  What time did you get a chance to invite this girl over?” Nana asks almost as if saying her name is a bad omen.

 

I blink. Alex is one sick bastard and my heart is boiling.

 

Should I deny or accept?

 

Fuck it.

 

I’ve lost everything anyway. So I frown and shake my head feigning my innocence,

 

“She must be mistaken, Granny. I didn’t invite her!”