Liora

3 | Hope?

AUTHOR'S POV

As Athena and Ares left San Francisco behind, the city's skyline faded into the distance like a fading dream, yet the weight on her heart felt heavier than ever. 

Clutching her bag, she glanced up at Ares, who strode confidently ahead, the embodiment of strength and mystery, his presence both comforting and intimidating.

The private airport was a world apart from the chaos she'd known. Gleaming surfaces and quiet luxury surrounded her, and the scent of freshly polished wood mixed with the faintest hint of leather. 

Yet even amid this grandeur, Athena felt like a curious child stepping into a storybook, her wide eyes darting to take in the sleek planes and bustling staff.

As they approached their private jet, her heart raced with a blend of excitement and anxiety. The jet gleamed under the sunlight, its sleek design a testament to the wealth of her new family.

 But beneath the thrill of it all, a shadow lingered in her heart. Memories of her stepfather's harsh words and cruel hands still echoed in her mind, haunting her like a ghost that refused to be exorcised.

Every cheerful laugh around her felt like a reminder of the joy she never had, a life of warmth and safety that always seemed just out of reach. The nervousness twisted in her gut, a constant reminder that the past had not yet released its grip on her.

"Is it always like this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, a blend of awe and fear. Her fingers fidgeted with the strap of her bag, the act grounding her as she tried to shake off the remnants of her old life.

Ares turned, a smirk playing on his lips, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "Only for the elite, Athena. Welcome to your new life." His tone was teasing, but there was an underlying seriousness that made her heart flutter and her stomach twist.

She nodded, forcing a smile, but inside, she felt the weight of uncertainty. The promise of adventure called to her, but so did the scars of her past. As they boarded the plane, the plush interior enveloped her like a warm embrace, yet the memory of her stepfather's harsh grip lingered, chilling her spine.

Settling into a seat, Athena gazed out the window as the engines roared to life. The plane taxied down the runway, and she felt a rush of exhilaration mixed with dread. Each inch they moved away from the life she'd known felt like both a liberation and a loss.

"What's next for us?" she asked, trying to shift her focus from the past to the possibilities ahead.

Ares settled into the seat across from her, leaning forward slightly. "We've got a lot to discuss, but first, I want you to enjoy this ride. It's just the beginning, Athena." His eyes softened, and for a moment, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this was a chance to finally be free, to find a family that would protect her rather than harm her.

But just as quickly as the hope ignited, she shook it off. Doubts flooded her mind—what if they were just like her father? What if every mistake she made would earn her their wrath? She had seen the darkness in people, and the scars of her past loomed large, reminding her of the pain inflicted by those she once trusted.

The plane began its ascent, the world below shrinking away, but Athena's heart remained heavy. In a family like this, mistakes could be deadly. Ares might have been charming, but the stories whispered in the shadows about the mafia played on repeat in her mind.

She clenched her hands in her lap, the tension coiling tighter within her. The flicker of hope felt like a cruel joke. Family? The concept felt foreign and dangerous. Each promise of safety was laced with the fear that she might not be worthy of it. What if they turned on her, just like before?