Chapter 169Ares stood outside the hospital room, Hermes had sent him away, but he was adamant, he had decided to wait outside until Hermes finally realized that.“You are still here?” Hermes said when he opened it to find Ares sitting just by it. He had probably asked one of the nurses for a chair or something.“Yes, I am still here.” Ares said, getting up to face him, “I really need to see him.” “Be quick!” Hermes said, a stern look on his face. “Thank you,” Ares said solemnly, walking past him and into the room.Ares approached Ivan's bed, his presence exuded a rare solemnity as he gazed upon Ivan, the man whose valor had clashed with his vicious self.With his gaze rendered on Ivan, his shoulders bowed under a cloak of humility.Ares sought to bridge the chasm between their groups that had been torn asunder, mainly by his selfishness.With slow, measured steps, Ares cleared his throat as he sat on the bedside chair that Hermes had occupied earlier.“Ivan” he called, his voice so
Chapter 170Vera sighed when they finally landed, she could feel the jet lag begin to kick in and her feet hurt so much she wanted to kick off her shoes and walk barefeet.“Hermes.” She greeted them when she spotted him among the sea of people that thronged the airport.“Vera, welcome.” Hermit greeted her with a smile, “You look tired, but happy to be back.” Hermes noticed.“I am exhausted but at the same time happy to be back,” Vera admitted.“Where is Ivan?” Vera asked, looking around. “Uhm…yeah about that,” Hermes said his time changing.“What is wrong with him?” Vera asked in a panicked tone. “Where is he?” She asked again.“Okay, calm down,” Hermes said, taking her hand and urging her on.“He is fine, a little battered, but he is alright,” Hermes said.“What do you mean when you say he is a little battered?” Vera asked. “Do not let it get to your head, he is fine and waiting for you at home,” Hermes said as they walked into the waiting car.Ivan lay on the couch, his heart and
Chapter 171Ares snuck into the hospital room when he saw Hermes drive off. He has been a pain in the ass for quite some time now.Keeping Ares as far from Sara as he could, but this was his chance. So when the opportunity had presented itself, Ares had snuck in to see her.“Ares” She called weakly from the bed when her eyes met his.Ares' mouth fell open when he saw her, his guilt was renewed when he realized he had caused this, he was the reason she was laying there strapped to so many machines.“Sara,” Ares called back, slowly approaching the bed, his feet heavy with the weight of battle waged and the toll it has exerted.Sara's eyes were trained on him, her spirit just as resilient as her body was frail and fragile.Her eyes bore the weariness of a thousand battles when she had just been in one, she looked up at Ares, who was now sitting at her side.“You know, the doctor said I might not get out of her, they would be too deep and had affected some vital organs,” Sara told him, no
Chapter 172The trip to Mexico was like a warm embrace of a foreign environment to Marilyn.She needed it but did not know until she had arrived. Although, it could not dispel the chill that lingered within her soul.Despite the vibrant colors, and lively rhythm of the place and people, the promise of escape did not bar the invisible shroud of sadness that seemed to lurk above her.Her steps were followed by a trail of heaviness that did not seem to leave her, casting a shadow on the picturesque landscape no matter what.Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, the laughter, and camaraderie, unlike Vera and Catherine, she could not seem to adapt.Marilyn found herself frequently withdrawing into the recesses of her thoughts, away from her surroundings and the people in them.Often than not, she had found herself being called back to reality by Catherine or Vera, they even had to try to make her leave her room.“Marilyn!”“Aunt Marilyn?” “Marilyn!” Catherine called. It had been a re
Chapter 173Ares knew the other gods would not take his decision lightly, he had signed and sent that treaty without their knowledgeOf course, he was sure to meet some ruckus when he broke the news, but he was far from going back.He was not the Ares who would bend his rules to please anyone, he had done it once…or twice perhaps, and it had cost him tons.He figured it was time to take matters into his own hands and do what was right and just.The constant chaos and conflict were taking a toll on him and his people, whether they were ready to admit to it or not And he would be damned if he let it continue despite the obvious signs to let it go.His footsteps resounded as he walked into the vast and empty hallway that led to the arena.He walked into the grand Hall of the gods, amidst the great celestial opulence and grandeur that supersede anything the mortal realm could imagine.Ares could hear their silent whispers and not-so-quiet murmurs as he walked in.His eyes met Athena's, a
Chapter 174Hours turned into days, and Ivan's recovery was drastic and swift, surprising everyone.His wounds that had once been grave and debilitating were mended and in a place that defied all expectations.Vera was amazed, and her surprise echoed through the house silently as Ivan's strength returned.His resilience became a source of awe to Vera, who was the closest person to witness his remarkable recovery.With each passing day, his vigor returned even more and better than the last.His recovery was fueled by the determination that mirrored the unyielding spirit That had impelled him through battles.He could walk around the house, often with a certain amount of limp to his steps, and he could carry out simple tasks.Tasks that he had once been left to the mercies of others to do, he felt stronger and a little steadier.Just as his steps grew steadier, his laughter grew louder, gracing the walls of their home where sadness and concern had lingered not long before.His healing,
Chapter 175Ares had been trying to prove a point to Sara for the past few days, that he was a changed man and that he could. Make an effort to sort peace.He was done with war and strife, and now he had to find his child, for himself, for Sara, for his progeny.Sara was on her sickbed and her helping him was very limited, but she had mentioned on one of his visits that Anna would help if Ares could ask.Recognizing the significance of Anna's role in Sara's life and the bond they had shared in the short while they had been together, he decided to approach her with humility.He understood the weight of what he did and how much he owed Anna an apology.Exhaling a breath and reminding himself why he was here again, he knocked lightly on the door.He didn't know if she was in, all he was told was that she lived here.Anna sighed lazily when she heard a knock. It was that time of the day when she lounged lazily on her couch and watched a show for the rest of the evening.“Coming!” She yell
Chapter 176Ivan sighed as he knotted his tie, staring at his reflection in the mirror, it was finally time to step out of the house for the first time in weeks.“I think this would go best,” Vera said, holding up a brown jacket as she walked out of the closet. “Thank you,” Ivan said, kissing her on the cheek while he slipped the jacket on.Vera had been his strength throughout the period of his recovery from enduring the brutalities of the war.The journey towards healing from something that was as arduous as the battle he had fought.The scars it had left, both seen and unseen, had marked his path towards recovery.“Ivan,” Vera called softly from behind him.“Yes,” Ivan called, staring at her reflection in the mirror as she walked back to him.“You are doing it again.” She said solemnly, her voice soft as a sea breeze, and her hands grazed his shoulder.“Doing what exactly?” Ivan asks confused, turning to face her.“The thing where you get very deep into thought, it is scary someti
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