Chapter 62 ~ Do you love her?
ALEX
Three months later.....
Frustrating doesn't even come close to describing Athena these past three months.
She's six months long now, and every day it feels like there's a new side of her I'm seeing. I get it, it's not easy carrying life inside you. But damn, some days, it feels like the world is going to swallow her whole.
I've never felt so powerless. No matter what she's going through, there's nothing I can do to fix it. She's pregnant and diagnosed with PTSD, and it makes everything feel like it's on a knife's edge.
I'm walking around on eggshells, trying not to make it worse. I want to help, but it seems like the harder I try, the more I fail.
I dive into the pool, the cool water enveloping me like a second skin, hoping it'll clear my mind, even just for a moment.noveldrama
I'm not sure how long I swim when my muscles feel like they're burning. Sitting by the pool's edge, I grab my phone to check for any email I might have when I
stumble upon a photo.
Someone sent it to me but it's a private line. In the picture is Zayan smiling at my pregnant wife while she eats her ice cream.
The sight makes my blood boil. So she won't just smile for me but has the courage to fucking smile for another man?
How shameless has she become?
I debate tracking where he is and teaching that mother fucker a lesson. But I can't.
Not yet at least.
Groaning I stand when my phone rings, it's an international call.
I slide right and answer, "Alexander King speaking."
"Alex." Leah's voice reaches me.
"Leah? How are you?" I try to sound neutral despite the anger growing inside of
me.
"I'm okay. How have you been?" She asks softly.
"I'm good."
"Do you still need more medication? I can have someone bring you some."
"Not right now. But thanks." I respond when I hear a glass breaking.
I turn behind me and notice Athena starting to kneel to pick up the damn glasses. What is she doing?
"Leah, let me call you back." I hang up before walking toward my moody as fuck, pregnant wife.
"Don't touch that," I command.
She freezes for a minute but still goes on to pick and I feel my chest vibrate.
She won't listen to me but will go out and smile at a man who she clearly knows gets on my last fucking nerves.
"Leave the fucking pieces, Athena." I harden my voice and this seems to work because she does release them.
She moves back and her eyes finally land on me. She swallows as she drinks in my body.
I'm only wearing swimming shorts and I know how appealing I am to the eyes.
I like the look she has on and how her lips are parted. Something tugs at me to capture her lips on mine but I hold back.
That's how frustrated I am.
Angry and I can't even fucking express it.
"Go in, I'll clean up," I tell her and she nods.
"Will you join me for lunch?" She asks.
"No," I respond and I bend over and pick up the broken glasses.
Once I have everything cleaned, I take a shower and drive to the office.
I'm Only two hours into work when my door opens and Dad walks in. "Hi, son." He sits across from me.
"Dad," I respond.
"You're mother has gone to see Athena. They're going shopping for the baby's clothes."
I look up from the stack of paperwork in front of me, the words on the page blurring for a moment. "I didn't know she was going to see her today."
My father chuckles softly, leaning back in his chair. "She's been planning it for a while. Athena's not exactly been in the best mood lately, has she?"
I swallow hard, trying not to let the frustration show on my face. "She's been... difficult. I don't know what's going on with her, but it feels like she's slipping further away every day."
Dad studies me carefully, his eyes thoughtful. You need to remember, son, she's going through a lot.
Pregnancy, PTSD... it's all a
assive
strain on her body and mind.
can't fix everything, no matter how
much you want to."
I lean back in my chair, rubbing my temples. "I know. I just... I don't know how to handle it. She won't let me in. Every time I try to help, it's like I make things worse."
He's quiet for a long moment, and I'm almost certain he's trying to figure out the right words. "You need to give her space, Alex. She's in a different place right now, emotionally. You have to let her come to you."
I sigh heavily, my frustration boiling up again. "She's so distant. I just don't know what to do anymore."
Dad looks at me, his expression softening. "You love her, right?"
"You know that word doesn't exist in my vocabulary." I lean back in my chair. "I don't love."
Dad chuckles, "Really? Did I mention that I received an interesting call today? Broken hand, bankrupt company, broken hand, and blacklisted doctor ring any bells?"
I lock my jaw.
"No."
"I see." Dad muses before he focuses back on me, "I think you love her."
"I think you're really growing old. Besides, you should remember that the one I want to be my wife is Leah and if you, Mum, and Granny hadn't shoved Athena down my throat I'd be with her. "
"Hmmm.” Dad stands as if he's enjoying this stupid game. But I mean it. I'm not going to let her confuse my thoughts, I may have wavered slightly but that was a mistake I won't make again.
"What!" I snap.
Dad stands, buttoning up his jacket before his eyes find mine, "Well I'm shocked you haven't spit her out if she repets you so much. Just a few seconds ago, you were wrecking your brain on how to make her feel better." He walks towards the door. "and for the record," he pauses on the door knob.
"You're Alexander King. No one would force your hand. You married this girl because you wanted to so be man enough to take
responsibility. Divorce doesn't exist in this family. So unless she brings me the papers, you'll find a way to live happily!"
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