Old Days Break Free [ON HOLD]

43

The Love

Lorraine's POV

"She doesn’t want to talk to you," Jamie declared as she strolled into the room, her tone laced with a hint of smugness.

I felt my brow furrow as I looked at her, an immediate suspicion prickling in the back of my mind.

Without waiting, I stepped inside, brushing past her to confront her directly.

"Hey, I never said that! Don’t twist my words and use them to push me away," I retorted, shooting Jamie a fierce look.

She met my gaze with a raised brow, as though my reaction amused her, and then she rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Alright, relax. I was just kidding. You two are so intense," she huffed, crossing her arms with a little shrug.

"Come on, Silv, Chan, let’s leave them alone," she added, tossing a glance over her shoulder as she strutted out, Silveria following with a slight nod.

Jamie… she was certainly a piece of work.

And honestly, she was a lot like her sister, with the same breathtaking looks and that same prickly attitude.

As Jamie, Chandria, and Silveria left the room, my gaze lingered on the door, my mind still on her annoying smirk.

But then, without warning, I felt warm arms wrap around me, pulling me back to the present.

I looked down to see Athena’s arms encircling me, her touch gentle yet desperate, as though I was her lifeline.

"I’m so glad you’re here," she whispered, her voice breaking ever so slightly, her breath soft against my ear as she held me tightly.

Her chin rested on my shoulder, and she didn’t let go, the fragile tremble in her voice tugging at every corner of my heart.

Jezreel’s earlier words echoed in my mind. She’d told me to prepare myself, to understand that Athena might withdraw, might even shut me out now that I knew the truth.

She’d been holding onto so much, terrified of being judged by the people she loved, by the people who mattered.

Athena’s been through a lot, too much, and it crushed me to think that she had to face this fear all over again—fearing that I, too, might turn away.

"I’m sorry... I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that," she said, her words barely above a whisper, but each syllable held the weight of her pain.

I could feel my heart ache, the guilt flooding in waves. Without thinking, I pulled her closer, my arms tightening around her as if I could shield her from everything that had ever hurt her.

It didn’t matter what I’d done before this. Yes, I’d committed the ultimate act, crossing a line I never imagined I would.

I killed someone, and I left no stone unturned in ensuring she wouldn’t lay a hand on Athena again. I’d pulled the trigger with no hesitation.

Nothing else mattered to me then, not when it came to Athena’s safety.

"I’m glad you’re awake," I murmured softly, brushing a strand of her hair away as I leaned back to meet her eyes, letting her see the warmth I felt for her.

We stood there, just the two of us, letting the silence fill the space.

Every part of me wanted to kiss her, to take care of her, to love her without any barriers.

But it tore me apart to see her like this—in a hospital gown, looking fragile and worn down.

I wanted to see her confident, to see her in her doctor’s coat, the strong, capable woman she was meant to be—not a patient in need of someone else’s care.