Shadows of desire

Chapter 17 - Little Lies

Days passed, and while Athena struggled with her guilt, Eli immersed himself in his art, attempting to drown out the chaos that had become their relationship. Yet, the weight of her secrets continued to press down on his heart, complicating his feelings. He found himself caught in a web of uncertainty, questioning whether he could truly trust her.

One evening, while scrolling through her phone, Athena stumbled upon a message from Marco detailing an upcoming deal. A sense of dread washed over her, and guilt gnawed at her insides. She had intended to distance herself from that life, but the temptation lingered, and the guilt of her choices began to seep into her thoughts about Eli. How could she let him in when she was still entangled in a world that threatened to pull her under?

As she prepared to meet Eli for dinner, Athena wrestled with her conscience, knowing she needed to be honest with him. But as she sat across from him, the words felt heavy on her tongue. Instead, she deflected, sharing stories of her day, all the while feeling the weight of unspoken truths.

Eli watched her, concern etched on his face. "You seem distant again," he said cautiously. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine," she replied too quickly, the lie stinging her. The tension between them was palpable, but she couldn't bring herself to reveal her secrets.

Later that night, as they walked through the city, Eli tried to hold her hand, but she instinctively pulled away. "I just need some space," she murmured, avoiding his gaze.

The rejection stung, but Eli held his ground. "Athena, you can't keep lying to me. I can feel you drifting away."

"I'm not lying!" she snapped, frustration boiling over. But deep down, she knew her little lies were creating an insurmountable distance between them, complicating her feelings for him.

As they parted ways, the weight of her secrets felt heavier than ever. The mystery of her past loomed large, casting shadows over the love they were trying to build.