and flashing cameras. The cold air hit Athena's burning cheek like a slap. She felt like a pris

s, a king surveying the execution of a traitor. He watched, his face

lent twist, she wrenched her arm from the officer's grip. He grunted in surprise

e born from the ashes of her love, cut throug

the jostling bodies-it all vanished. There was only him, st

mes after a devastating storm has leveled everything to the ground. And in tha

nd So

s clear and sharp, carrying over

rrowed almost imperceptibly. He had expec

s. "You won," she said, her voice steady. "You've destroyed my ho

ry fiber of her being. "I thought I married a man," she continued, her voi

ters closest to her. No one dared to speak

ed, his eyes flashing

than the wife who slept by your side for five years." Her voic

for the rest of your life wit

lt in your sleep, to be tormented

uncover the truth, you will realize that the only real th

ness. And on that day," she finished, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper, "yo

ullet, fired with

She turned, her back straight, and slid into the back of

hut, sealing her o

he saw him one last time, standing on the steps, his face a thunderous mask of rage. Her eyes met his, an

t the chaos, his hands clenched into fists so tight his knuckle

ke doubt-pricked at his conscience. He crushed it insta

voice a low growl. "Make sure

YEARS

pen, the sound of scraping

light floode

e state. Her face was pale, thinner than before, but her eyes held a new depth. They were calm, steady, and hard as polished st

was