Ship to Wreck

23

Athena had noticed a marked difference in Christian's behavior in the two weeks since the threesome. He had been far more closed off and distant. He was still doing so much for her and Aleja, especially since her morning sickness had worsened significantly, but there was no life in his eyes. No emotion... ever.

Quite frankly, it terrified her. She was so used to Christian being warm and loving.

"Christian?" Athena asked quietly, going to curl next to him. As she neared, he stiffened dramatically and angled away from her.

"Are you okay?" he questioned, just staring at his phone.

"I miss you," Athena frowned, hating the fact that she could see the messages he was sending to other women... They were so degrading. It made her happy that Gio was Aleja's father. That she had a respectful man to look up to.

"I'm right here. I'm going out soon, though," he shrugged, not looking at her.

"Christian," Athena whispered, gently taking his phone away from him and looking him in the eyes. There was no spark. No joy.

"Athena, I don't know what you want from me. This is how I'm coping. And it is selfish of you to be upset with me because I'm not worshiping the ground you walk on anymore. I need to survive. I need to live my life knowing that you are happy and in love with someone else. That you're raising a baby that could be mine with him," he snapped, grabbing his phone back from her. There was no violence in his actions, no hostility in his voice.

Just pure pain.

"Christian. This is ridiculous," Athena sighed. "I know you love me. And I care so deeply for you. But we used a condom," she sighed, rubbing her significant bump. She could tell that it wasn't what he wanted to hear. She knew that he loved her so much. And it killed her to constantly see him in pain.

Christian was quiet for a second, locking his phone and gazing into the corner for a while before looking up at Athena. The vulnerability in his eyes stunned her.

"It broke. I found it when I got back from Malibu. It was too late... I..." Christian swallowed and looked down. "She could be my daughter. I love her like she is. And I know it was wrong of me to hide this... But you're so happy with Gio... I didn't want to ruin that. It never felt like the right time," he said softly.

Athena's jaw was loosened in shock, absolutely stunned by the news.

"I should go. Go be with Gio," Christian shrugged, grabbing his keys and leaving in a flash, Athena still silent with the slamming of the door.

***

Athena took an hour to compose herself before going to meet Gio. Her mind was still filled with conflicting feelings and confusion, but she had to focus on Gio. He had planned a date and she wanted to be fully present for that. Gio deserved her full attention.

"Hello, beautiful," Gio smiled softly, wrapping her in a secure hug.

"Hi," she said quietly, breathing his sweet scent in deeply. She always felt relaxed in his presence. Always felt her worries slip away.

"Are you ready to go?" Gio asked gently after pulling away from a kiss. He seemed nervous, but Athena attributed that to projection.

"I'd go anywhere with you," she smiled, taking his hand and appreciating the comfortable silence.

That was how the night progressed, much like any of their other dates. It was relaxing and carefree, and Athena could feel herself starting to forget the bombshell Christian dropped right before he left.

But she couldn't quite shake it. Her whole pregnancy felt like a lie. Would she end up raising Christian's baby with Gio? She couldn't. That wouldn't be fair to Christian at all. Would her name even be Aleja?