Chapter 2
In the interview, Aliana spoke with a sweetness that could melt hearts as she
reminisced about her fiancé.
“We were each other’s first love. Time and
distance came between us because we
were so young and reckless back then. Still, I never imagined he‘ d show up in Canada, holding a bouquet of flowers, just to wish me a happy Valentine’s Day.”
Her voice softened, brimming with emotion. “Maybe he’s watching this now, and if he is, I want him to know: no matter the years we’ve lost or the ones we still have, I love you, and I always will.”
Aliana’s gaze lingered on the camera, her eyes shimmering with affection, as if she could see the man she adored through the lens, closing the gap between them.
The interview ended abruptly, and before Athena could fully process it, Emmett had
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Chapter 2
already grabbed the remote and switched the channel with practiced ease.
“Hmm, it’s probably staged. People in showbiz love spinning fairy tales,” he remarked, rubbing his nose in that familiar way. Tossing the remote onto the couch, he added with a smirk, “Who cares about their love story anyway? Ours is better, childhood sweethearts, a bond like no other, and destined to be together!”
Emmett probably didn‘ t even realize it, but Athena had long noticed his tell, a subtle nose rub he couldn’t seem to resist whenever a lie slipped past his lips.
She didn’t call him out on it. Instead, she
sat in silence, her heart growing colder with each passing second.
A month ago, Emmett went on a business. trip. What was his destination? Canada. The coincidence left a bitter taste she
couldn’t shake.
And Aliana‘ s so–called first love, the man
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Chapter
she hadn’t seen in five years, turned out to be none other than Athena‘ s fiancé,
Emmett.
Emmett lingered by Athena’s side, enthusiastically discussing wedding plans. His words spilled out in an endless stream as if he couldn‘ t contain his excitement. To anyone watching, he seemed completely genuine.
It wasn’t until his phone buzzed with a call from work that he finally rose to leave. Leaning down, he pressed a lingering kiss. to her cheek and said, “Athena, we‘ re going to be so happy.”
Athena’s lips curved into a faint smile, a practiced gesture she’d perfected over the
years.
She had once believed those words with all
her heart.
For five years, they had shared a life that felt like a dream, traveling across mountains and oceans, weaving
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Chapter 2
unforgettable memories in every corner of
the world.
On every anniversary, Emmett had showered her with thoughtful gifts, each one more unique than the last. He had even gone as far as designing a villa for their future, every detail tailored to her
desires.
Two years ago, after a devastating car accident left her unconscious, Emmett stayed by Athena‘ s side through every agonizing second. Even when he risked severe blood loss himself, he insisted on donating blood to save her life.
Because he had said that his life belonged. to her.
When Athena finally opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Emmett‘ s swollen, tear–filled gaze, a mixture of relief and exhaustion etched into his face.
From that moment on, Athena had vowed never to let down the man who had given
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her his heart so completely.
But time had a cruel way of shifting promises, and the Emmett who had once declared his undying love now seemed like a shadow of that man, fading farther from where he once stood.
Watching his figure retreat down the hallway, Athena felt a hollow ache settle in her chest. Shaking off the lingering haze, she pulled out the IV needle with quiet determination and made her way to finalize her discharge papers.
The doctor handed her a prescription and reminded her to avoid intercourse in the near future. She needed to recover her body before thinking about having a child.
Athena nodded absentmindedly, her attention fixed on scrolling through flight options on her phone. Her finger hovered over the purchase button when a breaking news alert lit up her screen.
The headline redirected her to Aliana’s
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latest Instagram update, where a new post quickly caught her eye. It featured a photo of Aliana with a man, his face obscured, but his chiseled chest and the faint kiss marks on his neck were unmistakable.
[Here’s a little puppy who got so excited seeing my confession on TV that he came running over. Too bad someone’s camera- shy. Don’t worry, though, when our grand wedding arrives, you’ll all be amazed!]
Pinned beneath the post was a reply from an anonymous account. The image showed Aliana and the same man holding hands, her million–dollar engagement ring gleaming under the light.
The caption read, [Can’t wait to marry
you.]
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