Athena's Pov

My heart shattered into pieces when he opened the door to my room. He was gonna leave me here. He’s not gonna care for me now that his job is done.

I hugged him tightly. It felt like this was the first and last time that he helped me without a motive of his own. I really didn't want to forget the memories of being in his arms, feeling the safest I've ever felt.

I managed to control my tears when he put me on the bed. I was reluctant to remove my arms from around him but I did and placed them in my lap.

I couldn't meet his eyes after what happened. And the worst part was I couldn't bring myself to regret it. If I didn't try to sneak out, Hades wouldn't have prioritized me over his work.

For some reason I didn't want to turn back time.

I don't want to need this but I can't help my stupid mind. He was so gentle. I missed his warmth. Even his scent was so comforting.

What's wrong with me? It hasn't been five minutes since he said the first few nice words to me and I was already ready to forget everything and only focus on the good.

Why am I so gullible?

It doesn't take a man any time to lure me in. Just a few gestures of love and care and I'm ready to give them all of me. I voluntarily sign up to get hurt.

I expected him to leave but he sat down beside me. “Did you try to sneak out?” He asked without a hint of anger or judgment in his voice.

“Yes.” I admitted keeping my eyes glued to my hands.

“Why?”

“I… I had to go meet someone.” I mumbled.

“Why was it so urgent?”

“She needed money.”

“Who?”

I gulped contemplating whether to lie or not. But he was being so nice, I felt obliged to tell him the truth. I always give out what I shouldn't, when someone is nice.

“My mother.” I finally said.

I peaked up to look at him but he was as calm as ever. He sure didn't know I was still in contact with her then it leaves only one reason for his lack of reaction. He doesn't care.

“Why would she ask you for money?” Because she knows I'll give her whatever I have.

Angela; the woman who gave birth to me has been a private stripper for more than two decades. But since she's around forty four now, she doesn't get too many calls for work. The only people who ask for her are the ones with an old woman kink or those who want to be dominated.

She does manage to earn enough to get by but most of it she loses due to her addiction of gambling. And so she calls me for help. She tries to persuade me with sugar coated words and phrases of affection.

I have known her enough to understand it's all lies but when she begs, I feel guilty not to help. I don't feel any stupid emotions for her —neither does she— but I still haven't cut off contact with her.

“She was short on rent and… she’s struggling with her work, you know because of her age… So she sometimes takes a couple of dollars from me if I have some extra.”

He nodded. “I’m guessing dad doesn't know about it?”

My eyes widened with realization of what I've just done. “Please don't tell him. He told me not to ever meet my mother but I was just curious and… please don't do this to me.” My eyes were watering again.

“Relax. Don't panic again. I'm not gonna tell him.” He assured, seeing the terrified look on my face.

“But you shouldn't go against him, Athena. What he says is for your own good.” He adds after a few moments of silence.

“I know.” I whispered.

“How long has this been going on?”

I bit my lip and answered. “Around two years… I found my adoption papers and I… I just wanted to meet her once.”

“And…? How is she?”

I felt like he wanted to talk to me about this and wasn't just getting the information out of him. His questioning didn't feel like interrogation, it felt like a conversation so I contributed to it.

“She didn't expect to ever see me but after she overcame her initial shock, she was really… I don't know… loving? She treated me well, she gave me her used makeup as a gift, and made me coffee in questionable looking mugs.” I chuckled. “She even offered to let me stay at her place, I only declined because I hadn't told grandpa yet. And also because she invites her clients over.” We both knew who these clients were.

“And how did you figure out she's not sincere with you?”

“She started acting weird.” I took a shuddering breath remembering that time. “If I called at the wrong time she’d shout at me. But after a few hours she'll call back and apologize saying she was in a bad mood. Then one day, she asked me if I had some cash. She said she'd return it. I stole fifty euros from grandpa and gave it to her. She never gave it back. Instead she started asking for more. Everytime she promised once she'd get on track, she'd take me to Disney or she'd get me a teddy bear but that day never came.”

“How much have you given her so far?”

“I haven't kept count.”

I looked away from him, embarrassed by how I'm getting knowingly fooled by my own mother. I was smarter than this, I understood everything but I still let my heart lead me most of the time.

“I’m assuming you do know she's taking advantage of the relationship tag that she has,” I nod. “Then why do you keep obliging her?” Because I'm an idiot.

I look at him again. “Because she doesn't have anyone else. She always says if I don't help her, she'll die.”

“Then let her.” He said simply.

“I can't let her die!” I protest.

“Why not?”

“I don't have a heart of stone.” I grumbled.

“You don't need a heart of stone to prioritize yourself.”

I stayed silent. I didn't know why I participated in this conversation in the first place but I was having second thoughts now.

“Did you ever think why dad restricted you from meeting her?” He broke the silence.

When I didn't reply, he continued. “Because she isn't the right person-”

“I know she isn't. She tried to abort me and only stopped because grandpa gave her fifty thousand euros. But if I'm judging her on that parameter then you three wanted to kill me too.” I said pointing a finger at him.

His expressions turned something in between confusion of what to say and dislike for the topic at hand. He didn't meet my eyes for a few seconds but then he collected himself and held his head up high again, exhaling a breath.

“I'm not saying we're the best men out there. But in comparison to Angela, we’re way better. She's not a good woman. She shouldn't be around a minor.”

“You'd say that for any woman.” I accuse.

“I wouldn't.”

He raises his voice to emphasize his words. The discomfort on my face must've been apparent because he took a deep breath and calmed down.

“I'm not trying to force you into blocking her or something. But you should know she could be dangerous for you. For now she's only asking for small amounts of money. But when she can't even earn a single cent, she'll need more. And I don't want you to be manipulated into any of the schemes she comes up with then.”

“I won't be. I'm smart.” I disagree.

“You are. But sometimes emotions get the better of us.” He looked directly into my eyes. “Which is why I want you to put yourself first. She's not your responsibility. And you don't have a single reason to help her. Any relationship she had with you, ended when she signed your custody to dad.”

“You think I don't get it? I know that. I know everything. You don't have to teach me.” I said and crossed my arms in frustration.

He ignored my words and spoke calmly. “Why did you want to meet Angela?”

I tried to think but the one reason that came to mind felt wrong. I couldn't tell him I seeked motherly love. It was immoral for me to desire that when I already had a grandpa who filled in the shoes of both of my parents.

I didn't want to take accountability for my actions. I didn't want to be blamed for meeting the person who gave birth to me.

But instead of changing the subject, I tried getting his point of view on it. I hoped we could reach a common ground. I wanted to see if he’ll understand me. There could possibly be something that we’ll both agree on.

“You never had a mother either, don't you want to feel what it's like?” I asked hesitantly.

I knew I was crossing a line with this question. These brothers clearly don't appreciate the subject of my grandma and they won't hesitate to hurt me for bringing it up.

Hades brought his hand to the watch on his wrist and opened the buckle then closed it again. I could sense that the topic was uncomfortable for him but surprisingly he didn't get mad at me.

“I was the only one who asked dad to get married again.” He said after a long moment of silence. “I did want a mother but after some time I understood you don't always get what you want. Life is unfair and so I started concentrating on what I had rather than what I didn't.”

“So you're saying time heals everything?”

“No. Your mindset heals you. With time you get mature and start understanding life better which ultimately helps you move on from the unfinished chapters of life.”

A feeling of guilt that I had always felt started to resurface. I never liked that I hid Angela from grandpa and Tristan. It was eating my peace. And it hurts even more when I realized Hades just did what they would’ve. They would’ve helped me understand the situation better and pull back. Since I wasn't brave enough to face them, Hades took their part.

But for some reason, whatever this conversation meant for us, felt right. I liked that he took out time to talk to me. To stay with me when I needed him. To help me. Or do whatever charity I was for him.

“I didn't really think about it. I just found her address and… I thought I should go meet her.” I made an excuse when I could’ve very well stayed silent.

“If I had to guess, I'd say you went to have a relationship with her-” I cut him off.

“No. That wasn't my intention. I have grandpa, I don't need anyone else. He’s enough for me.”

“Atleast let me finish, Athena.” He sighed like I'm frustrating him. When he saw I was staying quiet now, he spoke. “Now you know she doesn't want to play the role of your mother. Then why go to someone who doesn't want you?”

I kept looking at him thinking if he did realize what he just said. He doesn't care as much to think what his words imply so I probably should let him know my conclusion of it.

“Even if it is for her selfish reasons… At least she wants to meet me. You three can't even bear to see my face” My voice was barely audible as I whispered to him. “With your logic, I should stay away from all three of you because you don't want me either.”

His lips thinned into a straight line. He really didn't think this through. He thought he had just the right words to convey an impactful speech but each of his words hurt more than my bully’s.

I pushed away the uncomfortable feeling and the wetness gathering in my eyes. I shouldn't get emotional, it's not even that bad. I've moved on from them.

Just then I realized that I over shared.

I’ve told him something that's so personal to me. This is a truth that I don't even accept to myself. I don't believe I meet Angela because I long for her. Neither do I believe I feel an emptiness left behind because of the trio.

In the twisted part of my brain, all these emotions make sense. But I know I'm being irrational —which is why I never acknowledge them as real.

“But don't worry, I already know that.” I shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. “It's just a matter of fifteen days then you won't have to tolerate me anymore.”

He didn't say anything. He just kept looking at me without a single emotion in his eyes. He was speechless but I don't think he was guilty.

“Thank you for your help today, Hades. I won't forget it. If I can ever do anything in return, just let me know and I'll do it.” I brought up my best formal voice. “You can go complete your work now, I'm sure you must be busy. I'm sorry for wasting so much of your time.”

“You don't have to apologize, neither do you have to thank me.”

“I should. You don't owe me any favors.” He gulped and looked away, not bothering to answer.

“It's okay, Hades. Just accept it. You did it for grandpa because he would’ve been hurt if anything happened to me.”

I don't know if I was being a bitch to force him to admit it or if I was hoping that he would deny my accusations and say he did it for me —because he cares for me.

His expressions dropped into visible anger. “I would’ve done it in any condition.” He gritted through his teeth.

“No matter who it was.” I completed his sentence.

The words got a stronger reaction than I expected. He shook his head and got up, moving towards the door. As he placed his hand on the knob, he turned back and said one last thing before leaving.

“We aren't this nice with anyone else, Thena.”