After waking from a six-month coma, Athena Blackwell world is shattered. Betrayed by her fiancé and half-sister, who are now expecting a child together, Athena is forced to confront the life that was stolen from her while she lay unconscious. As a b...
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"Wait, what?" My mind races. "Amelia's pregnant"
Before Simon can respond, the delivery man clears his throat from behind me, interrupting our conversation. "Excuse me, ma'am can you come take a look at the setup of your bed-frame before we continue?"
" Uh, just one moment please" I reply, flustered. Once he moves out of earshot, I turn my attention back to Simon, my heart racing as I take the phone off speaker holding it to my ear. "Did you just say Amelia's pregnant?"
"Uh, I-um, I meant to say that there's a lot of buzz around the social scene lately. You know how it is" Simon stammers, but I can hear the guilt in his voice.
"Simon, you can't just drop that on me and play it off! Is she really pregnant or not" My heart pounds, each word pushing me closer to the edge.
"Okay, okay! Yes but-"
I cut him off overwhelmed "Simon!"
"I need to go. I'll see you tonight, okay?"
"Wait Athena-" But I hang up before he can finish.
I lower my phone and stare at the screen, Simon's words still ringing in my ears. Amelia's Pregnant. The knot in my chest tightens, but I push it down, taking a deep breath. Not now Athena. Not here.
I walk towards the bedroom, where the delivery boys are standing by, waiting for approval. The sound of their light chatter fills the room as I approach, my face carefully composed.
"Ma'am, we've finished the bed-frame" one of them says, stepping aside to let me inspect. I take a slow breath and step closer, running my fingers over the smooth wooden surface. "It looks great. Thank you" I say my voice steady, even though my mind is spinning.
I glance out the window, focusing on the sliver of sunlight to ground myself. I feel like the walls are closing in, the news about Amelia crashing over me like a tidal wave. But on the outside. I manage a polite smile. "Would you like us to adjust anything?" The delivery man asks.
"No, it's perfect" I reply, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "You guys did a great job"
As they start to pack up, I nod and make my way back to the living room, my footsteps careful and measured. My heart pounds in my ears, but I hold it together, moving with the same grace my mother drilled into me for years.
Once the door closes behind the delivery team, I finally let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, sagging against the wall for a moment. But I don't have time to fall apart. Not yet
