Chapter 143“We need to do something!” Athena said, looking Mother Isis straight in the face.She had run here as soon as Ares had left, mother Isis was the other person aside from her who thought the idea of a war was ridiculous.Yet, she had refused to speak up or involved in anything that looked like an altercation with Ares. According to her, she already knew he was stubborn, and it seemed his mind was made up, and she refused to waste her time “There is nothing we can do, Athena.” She said weakly. “Understand this.” She added, giving her a pointed look.“Mother, we can't let this happen, we can't let him go on with this,” Athena said, taking her seat opposite her.“You can always, leave.” Mother Isis said instead, making Athena squint at her in disbelief.“Why would I leave?” She asked. “Because you are not okay with the idea of a war, and Ares'mind is made up. There is not much that can be done.” Mother Isis said, going back to her knitting.“Do you even care for the sect, do
Chapter 144Ivan rubbed her back slowly as she puked into the toilet a little more.“Are you okay?” He asked when she fell quiet, her little pants scared him a little and when she nodded a yes, he scoped her up in his arms and took her to the bed.“I am okay, Ivan, you look like you just found out I'm dying or something,” Vera said, laughing lightly.“Vera, baby, you are sick, and it is freaking me out,” Ivan said, throwing the covers over her.“I am fine,” Vera whined when he cuddled up to her.“No, you are not.” Ivan said, "That is why I need to cuddle you up, now shut up and let me love you.” Vera laughed at his antics, as she snuggled deeper into him, sniffing his scent as she smiled into his neck, taking in all the warmth he brought.“We will check you in at the hospital first thing tomorrow morning,” Ivan said, a note of finality in his voice. “But you have work,” Vera whined. “Yes, I know you do, but you come to work if you are sick now can you?” Ivan asked.“Not Really.” Ca
Chapter 145“Are you alright?” Hades asked again, he seemed unconvinced by Are's answer.“Yes, I think so,” Ares said, looking out the window.“Are you sure?” Hades asked him, turning to look at him properly.“Yes, Hades, I am perfect,” Ares said, a hint of irritation in his voice.“No, not about that,” Hades said, clearing his throat. “About going on with the war, that is what I am talking about.” “Yes,” Ares answered simply.“You do not seem very sure to me,” Hades said, shrugging.“Look, alright. I said, I am sure, we are doing this and all I need from you is to get these people ready and not question me.” Ares said. “I know you Ares, I have known you for decades and not once, not one day have you ever spoken with a quivering voice,” Hades said, glancing at him, a suspecting look on his face. “What exactly are you driving out” Ares asked, giving him a skeptical look.“I heard your voice quiver and the looks you exchanged with Athena.” Hades said.“It was nothing,” Ares said defe
Chapter 146Ivan felt his hands tremble, and he gripped the steering wheel even tighter, his heart hammered in his chest and he could feel little beads of sweat form on his forehead.This was something unexpected, he had not even had the thought of it, let alone imagined it.He glanced at Vera and saw her eyes were still glued on whatever she was looking at out the window.She did not seem like she was ready to talk about it, he felt his stomach churn a little and gulped, keeping the contents in check.Trying to gather his wits and wrap his head around the situation, he admonished himself, he needed to be strong for her especially.Would she keep it? It was the question that kept repeating In his head, he had never had the conversation with her, so he had no idea what her take on pregnancy and kids was.She looked like she would not mind having a kid or two, but at the same time, Vera had always and will always be career-driven.So he doubted she would give that up to have kids just y
Chapter 147 Athena woke up with a raging migraine, wincing as she sat up, she massaged her temples gently with her fingers. She had had too much whiskey the night before after dinner and, of my course e she knew there were repercussions for her actions, and now she had to deal with this. Getting up to begin her day, she slipped an Advil into her mouth, forcing it down her throat to ease with the pain. Walking to the bathroom, Athena stared at her reflection, cringing at the sight of her disheveled hair and a stray drool on her cheek. “I look like an alien,” she muttered, patting her hair down to take the mess. “Ugh.” she groaned when it did not help. Going through her morning routine lazily, Athena was finally done. Giving herself a once over, she smoothed down her dress and smiled at her reflection. “Much better.” She said doing a half twirl. “Perfect.” She had settled for a sleeveless beige top and brown skirt that looked stunning. Matching it with a black pair of the Dior
Chapter 148Ivan walked over to the seat beside her, he could see the fear in her eyes, the way her throat moved when she swallowed nervously, the way she fidgeted with her fingers on her lap.“Have you ever thought of having kids?” Vera asked when she saw how he was slowly relaxing into the situation.“Not really,” Ivan said, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his palms clasped together.“Me neither,” Vera whispered. “I mean, I have always seen and thought that kids are cute.” She continued.“But having one of my own?” She said, the disbelief clear in her tone, “It has never crossed my mind, not since I became an adult at least.” She added with a shrug.“How do you feel?” She asked, turning to look at him.“I don't know, Vera, I feel happy and sad and overwhelmed all at once.” He said, rubbing his palms anxiously. “Me too,” Vera muttered. “I do not know the first thing about fathering or being a father, Vera, what if I mess it up.” He asked rhetorically.“You will no
Chapter 149Ares sat at the table going over the war plans when Mother Isis walked in. He had not noticed yesterday, but now that he looked a little closely, he could see she did not look alright.Her eyes were sunken, her eyes had lost their beautiful glow and her skin looked paler than usual.“Mother Isis.” He called, walking up to her. Her steps were uneven, and she looked as if she felt a little dizzy, he noticed that too.“Are you alright?” He asked he had never seen her like this, so it was a little alarming.“Ares dear, I am fine,” she said, walking over to the table to take a look at the plans “Preparing already?” She asked surprised, she knew he was proceeding with the arena, but she did not think it would be this early.“Yes,” Ares replied shortly. He saw her eyes fall, and her face looked sad.She did not support this either, just like Athena. “Son, can I have a word with you?” She asked, walking away from the table towards a quiet corner. “Gentlemen, please excuse me, I
Chapter 150Ivan was shocked when he opened the door to see her. He glanced towards the living room to make sure Vera was not looking.He had to get her out of there as fast as possible.“What are you doing” “No one.” He called back when Vera asked who was at the door.“You need to leave.” He told her. Ares probably sent her to spy on the house, like they did the sect arena.“No, I have to speak to you, and I must.” She said.Ivan could see the determination in her eyes and voice. It would be difficult to get rid of her, and he had to.Something about her was different and he could not tell exactly what it was, he would have gauged her aura, but he was not quite used to using his power around Vera yet.He sighed when Vera asked her to come in, she had as trouble as Ivan knew, but he was unable to tell Vera that just yet.“Please, have a seat,” Vera said, gesturing to one of the couches. “Thank you.” She said with a sweet smile, “You are too kind.” “Oh please, it is nothing,” Vera s
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