Ivan stared at the closed door, his heart raced, and a cold sweat broke on his forehead as he anxiously paced the room.He continuously rubbed his palms together out of habit, glancing at the clock every few minutes and staring beneath the stairs for when she came down.His breath caught in his chest when he heard the bedroom door creak open and Vera calling for him.“Ivan?” She called. “Down here.” He said as he waited for him at the foot of the stairs.“Where are we?” Vera asked when she saw him.“Oh, my other house, I figured after what happened there earlier today, it would be a little triggering to take you back there.” He said, taking her hand and helping her down the remaining stairs.“Thank you,” Vera muttered, walking to one of the couches and helping herself to a seat.“My head aches,” Vera said, wincing as she leaned her head back on the couch.“I have some pain medications and I ordered some food, did not know what you would be in the mood for so I just got a bit of every
Eve sat curled up in a ball, as she thought about all that Ares had said. He did not say much, but he had said just enough to cut deep into her.Her phone dinged will the message from Gede and she turned to look at it. He was asking how she was.With a sigh, and without a second thought, Eve texted him back, telling him she did not feel good and asking if he could come over.Her face lit up when her phone dinged again almost immediately, and it was him.“I am on my way. Do you want me to get you anything, anything at all?” He asked Eve texted back a no and sat back, waiting patiently for him to arrive.A few minutes later, a knock on her door woke her up from sleep, she realized she had dozed off for a bit.“Hey,” Gede called when she opened the door, a small bouquet in hand and a gift bag.“Hey,” Eve said, smiling at the sight of him“I know you said you did not want anything, but I could not come see you empty-handed. So I got you these.” He said, handing her the bouquet and gift.“
Ivan was happy that Vera took everything well, even better than he had imagined she would.Her curiosity had heightened, and she asked questions about him, his people, the god realm, everything.She wanted every piece of information she could get, and he did not hesitate to tell her and answer every one of her questions.It had been just a day after the whole Artemis incident, and it was almost as if it did not happen.He liked that Vera was not someone who dwelled so much on things, she had since gone past the issue and was more focused on getting to know the real him, as she would say.He had called Hermes a few minutes after he broke the news to her, and Hermes had told him he had guessed Vera would be okay with it.They were both lounging lazily on the couch watching a show that Ivan could be careless about, but Vera was invested In it, so he had to see it with her.The doorbell went off and Vera looked at him as if asking if he was not going to answer it, sighing, he had gone to
Ares had driven straight to Athena's she seemed like his only friend at the moment, or at least the only one who knew a tad of what he had been going through for the past few days.Athena was surprised to see Ares at her doorstep, he had visited her a few times in the past, but none of those times had been unprecedented or unplanned.He had a thing for telling people he was hoping for you before showing up, and never has he shown up with a long face and sunken eyesShe knew something was wrong and did not wait for pleasantries or welcoming, with one hand, she dragged him inside without a word, closing the door behind them “Start talking.” She said, sounding a little demanding.“You sound like a mother ready to whoop her son,” Ares said, trying to lighten the mood.“Yeah, whatever,” Athena said, rolling her eyes at his remark.” talk.” She said, more demanding than the first time.“I think I fucked up big time.” He said, scratching his head as he sat, “Scratch that, I fucked up big tim
Chapter 136“Can I come too?” Vera asked with a smile.All eyes turned to look at her and her smile faded slowly as she realized, she was not one of them. She was human.“Oh, I am so sorry, I just thought…” she stuttered, finding the right words.“I don't think there is an issue with you coming, Vera,” Hermes said, turning to look at Ivan for approval.“No, it is fine really.” she said averting her eyes, “it's okay if I can't come, don't force it.” She said. “Ivan?” Hermes called.“Uhm, yeah,” Ivan said, looking around.“I will be upstairs,” Vera said, getting up and trudging up the stairs to the room.“That was cold,” Hermes commented.“She does not look so happy, you should take care of that,” Sara said, giving Ivan a pointed look.“I… I just” Ivan started.“You just what?” Hermes said, interrupting him, “Man if you don't get your ass off that seat and go talk to her.” He said sternly.Ivan looked between the both of them for a minute, Sara sat quietly but gave him a nod as if urgi
Chapter 137“It's a little chilly out today.” Athena noticed.“Yeah,” Ares said absentmindedly, his eyes focused on the road as he drove.“Hey, lighten up, okay?” Athena said, nudging his shoulders a little.“I am trying,” Ares whined. “We both know you are not.” Athena said, "If you were that frown would not be there and what is that look in your eyes again?” She asked playfully.“Stop it,” Ares said laughing.“Now, look who cracked a smile,” Athena said proudly, happy at her handwork.“Oh please, leave me alone,” Ares whined again. “Not a chance,” Athena said her eyes on the road too.“Look, man, I know you have been through a lot these past few days,” Athena said.“Tell me about it,” Ares said frustrated.“But you will be fine, okay?” Athena said, turning to look at him. “I trust you will be.” She added.“I just need a break, you know,” Ares said, glancing at her. “A break from all these happenings.” “You will be fine so don't worry too much,” Athena assured him.“And how is Sar
Chapter 138It had been a couple of days since introducing Sara and Vera to the rest of the sect. They had blended in smoothly, especially Vera.She was human and Ivan had been skeptical about it, but he dared not show it, the least Vera took it the wrong way.Sara had been given a warm welcome, they had all missed her, and although she had little or no memory of most of them or her encounters with them, she had accepted them just like they did her.Vera, on the other hand, was so excited to be a part of the old gods, her smile was unmatched and Ivan was glad the sect welcomed her as much.Nothing had been heard from the old gods yet, but Ivan could tell they were up to something.Almost like he could smell their coup cooking. Hoping it was just his overthinking and nothing real. He could not afford any more losses.“Hey,” Vera called as she walked down the stairs smiling at him.“Hey,” Ivan said, his smile matching hers “you look wonderful Vera.” He complimented, staring at her.“Tha
Chapter 139Ares was slowly but finally getting back to his usual schedule and routine. It was hard not having Sara around, and even harder to keep the thoughts of her out of his mind.It seemed like an oddly impossible mission, but he was getting used to it.He had tried contacting her after their encounter, but his efforts had seemed futile.She seemed adamant about not wanting to speak to him, and he had decided to give her the space that she needed.Straightening his shirt in the mirror, he walked out of his room, grabbed his jacket and car keys and walked out the door The sect was finally meeting for the first time in a long while with him there, and he was a nervous wreck.He wondered if they would be willing to accept him back and let things move in like they used to.The ride to the café was short, and he stepped out of his car, with brisk long strides he walked into the café.It seemed half empty and servers hovered over tables with notepads and pens, scribbling orders.Ares
Chapter 190Ivan peeked at the back from where her seat every two seconds, he was a nervous wreck but tried his best to conceal that fact.His bride was yet to come, and with each passing minute, he wondered if she had changed her mind.Hermes patted his shoulders in reassurance, but his mind still was not settled.Ivan turned to look at the door again, this time his eyes met with Ares, who was beside his fiancé, Sara.Ares gave him a curt nod and a smile, while Sara waved enthusiastically.Ivan returned the item Ave and a nod before turning to face the judge.He and Vera had decided on a simple court wedding with close friends and loved ones. She had adamantly refused to have a big wedding as according to her, she was already too heavy, and organizing one would drain her.She was a perfectionist, so organizing a big event would mean going all out, and she was already too heavy for that.Ivan understood her more than anyone, they were expecting their little one anytime now, as Vera w
Chapter 189Sara sighed in relief when they all walked out of the Hamilton's house and headed for the car.This was the happiest she had been in a long time, it seemed like she had found a missing piece of herself in that little girl.They looked alike in so many aspects, and Sara would be lying if she said she did not see fragments of herself In that little girl.Her eyes, just like hers are big, brown, and Beautiful. Ushering on win into its beautiful depths.Holding so much emotion even for someone as young as her, and Sara felt like she had the trophy when she held her in her arms.When she had let Sara hug her, Sara had sobbed holding her in her arms, she smelt like heaven, felt like paradise and when she smiled, Sara compared the brightness on her face to the stars in the Galaxy.And although Sara had not told her who she was, she felt Aria could sense it, from how much they looked so alike to each other and something deeper The girl had her eyes trained on Sara the whole time
Chapter 188Catherine was glad that she was able to convince Marilyn, otherwise. The other woman, while she may seem like a softie, was a hard nut to crack.But Catherine had done it all, all by herself. Slowly, Marilyn was becoming her usual cheerful and outgoing self.Catherine could remember when Marilyn had started therapy a few days ago and had told her she had an idea.Her genius idea was to reopen the case of Steve Anderson's death and the missing of her husband.Catherine had stopped in her tracks while staring at Marilyn with surprise.This was the same woman who had argued with her when she recommended taking the case further.Catherine had disagreed the very minute the words had left Marilyn's mouth.She could not let her friends go ahead with a plan, a very dangerous one that could endanger her.What if whoever killed Steve was out there, what if they watched her take them internationally, and then she became their new target?She was unable to let it, and will not let it
Chapter 187Ares smiled into the mirror as he buttoned the last part of had shirt, carefully tucking it into his pants.He had been smiling since he left Sara's, it was like that one kiss with Sara had brought back the spark in his life back to him.His eyes were not so dull, his skin looked revived, and the bags under his eyes were less visible.Running his fingers in his hair to smoothen it down, Ares picked up his key and dashed out of the room.Ares drove out of the driveway with a new-found hope, meeting with Sara had given him a strength he never knew he lacked.They had agreed to meet Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton again, but this time with Sara in their company.He hoped she would keep the same energy as she had before they parted ways last night.Parking the car, he walked into the house you get Sara, they were already running late, and he still had to fetch Anna before they left.“Hey, I am here for Sara.” Ares said when he saw Hermes stepping out of the house just as he went in to k
Chapter 186Sara sighed as she looked around the hospital room one last time. As much as she hated it here, she would miss these walls.These blank white walls that she had stared at all those nights when she could not sleep from all the pain that coursed through her, body and soul.Tuning to a waiting Hermes, she gave him a curt nod to signify she was ready to leave.Hermes patted her shoulders in reassurance, guiding the wheelchair out of the room and into the Hallway.Sara smiled and waved at the few patients whose faces she could remember, she would miss them.Not so much, though, but they had contributed one way or the other to her journey of recovery.As they wheeled out of the hospital, she sighed in satisfaction as fresh air hit her face, greeting her and the sunlight cast its warm glow on her skin.The fresh air she felt was a giant contrast to the sterile air inside the hospital, one she had slowly grown accustomed to but was now leaving behind.The scent of fresh air mingle
Eve stared into the evening sky, smiling as she gazed at the stars that glittered in the distant galaxies.She felt she had every reason to smile, things had surprisingly been working out for her and Gede.They finally moved into their place all with the blessing of his family, and she had made peace with her friends.Carmen had not taken her decision to settle in Bali very lightly, threatening to come get her every day.But Eve knew that they knew not to come and get her, she liked it here, scratch that, she loved it here.Oliver, on the other hand, had been the last person to forgive her. Eve could not blame her, she loved her more than anyone else in the friend group.Of course, she was the most hurt, it broke Eve's heart when she thought about what she did to her or how she might have felt.But what had been done had already been done, she had made the mistake, and it could not be taken back.Kira, sweet old Kira was the least disturbed, she had just shrugged and said she knew and
Chapter 184Keeping her little family private was not exactly a choice that Athena had chosen for herself, but it was what seemed to be right at the time.She had made a family, a small, beautiful one with a mortal whom she had bared herself to.Alex was the one man who had seen beyond her mortality, and even more understood her when she explained who she was.They had met downtown when Ares had sent her on an errand. They had bumped into each other while she was trying to cover her tracks.Something had clicked between them ever since, and Athena could not resist it.Of course, they had met again, and again, and again. By the third time they met, they were stumbling into his little apartment.Lips locked, hands all over each other, and clothes flying off their bodies. Stumbling and quickly, they had found the bed and Athena was unable to remember a more passionate night for her.They had made sweet love, with his hands and mouth on every inch of her body.Athena knew then that she wo
Chapter 183The rest of the ride was quiet, and soon they were there, parked in front of the house, with Ares too skeptical to walk up to the door.“You know we can't just sit here in the car and stare at the door all day,” Anna said, sighing in frustration.“Yeah, I know, it's just… I don't know Anna.” Ares said, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly, Ares exhaled a long breath.“Ares, we should go.” Anna urged him, “Let's go, come on.” Anna said, stepping out of the car and peeking in to give him a stern look.“Come on Ares,” Anna said as she walked towards the door.It was evening already, and Anna hoped with everything in her that they were in and would be willing to let them see the child.Ares finally gathered enough courage to step outside the car and all towards the door.Anna had already rang the bell, so she stood aside and waited for the door to open.Walking over to stand behind her, Anna turned to give him a reassuring look before ringing the bell again.This ti
Athena sighed as she rolled over in bed, it was one of those days when she would rather not in bed than get up for any reason But she had plans, and with the company being her sole responsibility now since Ares embarked on the journey of finding his child, she needed to be at the office.Rubbing her eyes for a few minutes, Athena finally rolled out, sitting at the edge of the bed and contemplating if all this was really worth it.Or perhaps she could ditch work and everything else for the day, fall back into her bed, and pretend none of it even existed.Scolding herself, she pushed off the bed and headed for the bathroom to get ready.Getting right into it, she did her morning business. Brushing her teeth lazily as she sat on the toilet bowl.Tearing her pajamas off her body when she was done, she trudged into the shower Putting on and letting the cold shower cascade down her back. Exhaling sharply as the cold cut through her skin, giving her goosebumps. It was precisely what she n