Unforgettable night with him

Chapter 19

Athena

I ended up not giving him the ride of his life.

It was me who got fucked on his refrigerator, floor, and the living room table. It was very exhilarating. Did I regret it? No. Just like I told him, just for tonight was I his. And yes, although that lasted until ten in the afternoon, I meant that.

That would be the last time I'd fuck Alessandro.

Okay. That was most definitely a lie but it'd be the last time I fuck him for a while.

I was hesitant but I let him kiss me goodbye which almost lead to a few more rounds. If I said I hadn't been thinking about him my entire drive to Serene's I'd be lying. I almost crashed because I was daydreaming about him.

I swore to myself that I wouldn't think about him while driving. I almost died doing it.

I pulled into Serene's house, unlocked her door and walked in. Thankfully, her and Rachael were just sitting on the couch, eating ice cream and watching... The Notebook?

Sobs came from the both of them and I couldn't help but laugh. They turned in my directions, tears streaming down their faces as the credits started to roll. "Hi."

"Are you laughing? You think us crying is funny?" I shook my head while grinning.

"They died while holding hands!" Rachael started sobbing and setting her head on Serene's chest.

"Your a horrible person." Serene scowled me and rubbed Rachael's hair. Cute.

"Serene? Are you crying as well?" I said as I walked around the couch.

"No. I'm just extremely tired." She quickly wiped at the tears under her eyes, and did a double take on me. She furrowed her eyebrows, "Your glowing... Did you get fucked?"

"What?" Rachael said, looking up and observing my face.

"No, I'm just naturally beautiful."

"Sure." Serene said.

I rolled my eyes, "Yes. I did get fucked. Last night and before I came here."

Rachael started crying again, "So she's getting her pussy pleased while I'm balling my eyes out? Life is so unfair."

I laughed, "I'm sorry Serene isn't fulfilling her duties to your vagina."

"Yeah, me too." She sat up, wiping at her eyes and pulling her knees to her chest. "So, was it Alessandro?"

"Yes."

"Expected."

"How? I never said anything about sleeping with him again. It just happened."

"Like you getting fingered by him at the gala just happened?" Serene said and my jaw dropped. "It wasn't that hard to miss."

My face was flushed red. "Don't be embarrassed. It happens to the best of us." Rachael said with a small smile.

"It's still embarrassing."

"When are we leaving Oliver?" Serene asked with a huge smile.

"We aren't leaving him any time soon. I talked to Alessandro, and although he didn't fully agree with me or agree with me at all, I won't be fucking him for a while. I need to get my life in order."

Racheal and Serene both rolled their eyes, "Okay. I'm not even going to talk you out of it or into it. I'll let you move at your own pace."

"Good. I'll talk to Oliver and we'll probably get therapy or at least talk our shit out somehow." I could tell Serene had fully given up on me when she just shrugged and gave me a tight lipped smile. I turned around, found a spot between them and said, "I've never watched The Notebook. Seemed boring."

"Oh you fucking whore. Let's rewatch it." Rachael nodded, Serene grabbed a blanket and we all cuddled up with a bucket of ice cream to share.

I absolutely fucking despise the director of The Notebook.

We were all crying now. "What sick person would make a movie to intentionally break others heart?" I sobbed, eating more of the credits and watching the credits roll.

"A person who is a depressed psycho and has never experienced happy love."

I wiped my tears and ate another spoonful of ice cream. "I have an idea." They looked at me. "Shall we find the director and send hate but loving comments to his Facebook or instagram?"

"You've never had a smarter idea in your life." Serene said, grabbing her laptop that was always on the living room table.

"I'll take it a compliment." I smiled and sat up as she typed his name. "He gets to live a happy looking life while we must suffer because of his movies." We scrolled through a few photos before going to inbox him.

We started off with loving messages.

Your movie, The Notebook, was so good! I enjoyed it so much and it really lifted my sprit! Sent by me of course.

Your movie will forever have a hold on me, Nicholas Sparks. Allie and Noah are such a beautiful couple! Sent by Rachael.

The Notebook... outstanding. The way your able to even come up with something such as that is just absurd to me. Sent by Serene.

Then we went in for the hate messages.

You have to be the most delusional person I know to make a movie as sad as this was! Sent by me.

You had a choice to end a off the movie happy and loving but decided to end it brutally! You are sick in the head. Sent by Rachael.

The movie could have been beautiful. You chose to be the type of writer that ends beautiful couples by killing them and I will forever hate you for it. Sent by Serene.

We ended it off with, a "When I see something I like, I gotta... I love it. I go... I mean, I go crazy for it." That's how we feel about your movie. Spectacular. Romantic. Sad.

"I bet he'll write back. We're all famous, I doubt he'd over see us."

I shrugged. "Doubt it. He's a busy man."

"If he replies then you have to go on vacation with us in a few days."

"Did you guys not just come back from one?" I questioned.

"Technically, it was a business vacation. We're going on for ourselves, deal?" Rachael and Serene held their hands out and I hesitantly shook them.

After that movie we watched Safe Haven, cried. The Fault in Our Stars, cried. Then The Last Song and, of course, cried. Oliver had started blowing my phone up a little while after so I said my goodbyes and headed home.

I wasn't going to tell Oliver that I cheated on him for the second time, it would probably destroy us. I'd keep it a secret to the day I die while trying to save my marriage. A few deep breaths later and I was walking in to find Oliver leaning against the counter. He wore jeans and a white shirt with socks. Plain.

He turned to look at me as I set my things down. "Athena, where the hell did you go?"

"Serene's. I spent the night." I didn't make eye contact with him.

"Then why couldn't you answer my calls? I was

worried!" He followed me upstairs.

"My ringer was off. Plus, we were drinking so I slept in for a while." I showered at Alesandro's place before leaving so I just closed the bathroom door, locked it, and stripped off my clothes.

Oliver knocked repeatedly, "Athena, come out of the bathroom we aren't finished talking."

"Give me a second." Fucking Alessandro. Leaving all of these marks on my body, he'd probably be laughing if he saw me trying to hurriedly hide them.

"You could've at least texted me that you weren't going to be able to speak to me for a few hours." I put makeup all over my chest and stomach.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry for not letting you know." After I finished with that, I slipped on leggings to hide the hickeys on my thighs. "I just wanted a break from everything and getting drunk and turning my phone off was how I wanted to do it."

I pulled a shirt over my head and walked out. Oliver was sitting on the bed, still slightly angry, and I smiled a bit as I walked over to him. I straddled his lap and kissed his forehead. "Sorry."

"It's okay." He breathed deeply. "I can't really be mad. I did walk out." Finally owning up to something. "Baby?" I hummed in response. "I think we should see a marriage counselor."

"Why? We can fix whatever's going on with us by ourselves."

"This, whatever it is, has been going on for a year now. I think we need help."

Just do it. You want to be with Oliver for the rest of your life anyway so just do it. "Okay. You schedule the meeting though." He nodded, smiling then pressing his lips against mine. Still nothing. I internally sighed at how boring, plain, the kiss felt. It'd take time, of course, but how much time?

Oliver was eager as he laid me down on the bed. He kissed my mouth, slowly, like he didn't want to hurt me. I wanted him to hurt me, to bruise my lips like- no. No more thinking about him while you're with your husband, or at all for that matter. I quickly snapped out of my thoughts when I felt Oliver pulling on my leggings. "Wait, wait." He stopped and looked up at me with heavy breaths. "I'm not really in the mood. Later, okay?"

He sighed and moved to get off the bed while I sat up. "Can we, like, watch a movie or something?" He kept his back to me and I felt hopeful he'd want to spend some quality time with me.

"Can't. Alessandro wants me to come in." My heart fell in my stomach. We were just about to have sex and he didn't seem to care about being late to do it.

I rolled my eyes, wanting to say what I felt, but bit my tongue and decided not to start an argument. "Okay." I got up and went to kiss his cheek then followed him downstairs. "I love you, Oliver."

He kept his back to me again and said, "Love you too."

CHAPTER 20

I spent the next few hours of the day preparing for Brinda's case, even though I had everything. Any other case and I'd say I was one hundred percent certain I'd win but this case was extremely different. Brinda and Zac were, for one, married so it wasn't a messily divorce that could be solved within a month. He abused her, possibly raped her before, and tried to go for his very own child. He deserves to rot in hell but for now prison.

As I was getting up to stretch, my phone started going off. Thousands of media sites tagged me in post, and I noticed a few messages coming from Serene and Oliver. I was about to respond to Serene first when Oliver came busting through the doors.

"Oliver? Are you okay, why are you back so early?" His eyes held fear for a quick moment before he breathed out a breath of relief.

"You know I love you, right?" I chuckled and said of course. "And that I'd never hurt you."

"Oliver, what did you do?" He quickly came to sit on the couch, grabbing my hands and holding them as I sat beside him. "You're scaring me."

"I'm so, so sorry. I need you to know that." I nodded and he took a deep breath. "I-" My phone, once again, started going off with more media sites and messages from Serene.

"One second." I took my hand out of his, about to reach for my phone, when he grabbed it again.

"I want you to find out from me."

"Find out what, Oliver?" He was quiet, scared. "Oliver, what is-"

"I kissed her. I kissed Katie." Who is- oh Katie. I furrowed my eyebrows and took my hands away from his. I had no right to judge him for kissing the girl but I felt like, in a way, I looked stupid. I went to lunch with her, talking about how much we loved each other, just for him to kiss her. I was upset because I felt like I was the only one being unfaithful in this relationship and that I was the reason it was going to end in shambles.

"Please don't leave me, I love you so much, Athena. Please." He begged, putting his head in my lap.

"You kissed a girl you said I didn't need to worry about."

"I know and I'm sorry." That's what all the fuss from the media was about.

"Oliver, I-" Tell him. "I need to think." I lied. I know what I wanted, what I was about to do, and that I won't regret it.

He looked up at me with fearful eyes. "O- okay. I'll leave."

"No." I stopped him from getting up. "I'll leave. I'm packing a bag and staying at Serene's."

"Please, Athena. Let me leave, please." I stood up, grabbing my phone and silencing it.

"I can't think while staying in this house." We walked upstairs and I grabbed one of my smaller bags and started packing a few things. I discreetly packed some lingerie.

"You'll be back though, right? So we can talk?" I sighed and nodded, throwing the bag over my shoulder once I finished.

"I promise. Just give me time, okay?" He nodded and tried to lean in for a kiss but I dodged it and walked past him. I don't want to seem like a hypocrite, I mean I did sleep with his sworn enemy. Twice. But could anyone really blame me? Oliver told me that he'd never get back with Katie, hadn't even thought about it since we met, and goes and kisses her.

Oliver had been with many women before me, but me? I had only ever been with him and at one point I did truly love him. He was all I knew and all I wanted to know. We are both in the wrong for even thinking about another person while being tied to each other. But him kissing Katie didn't hurt me as much, mostly because mentally I was already done with Oliver.

I used his cheating as an excuse to go and see someone I wasn't supposed to be attached to in any way. I didn't need to look at my phone to know that the media most likely tagged me in posts with pictures of the two kissing. I didn't want to see that.

It was hard trying to leave my house; the paparazzi moves very quickly. They had surrounded my front lawn and my patience was running thin from them not letting me out. I was this close to just running them over and catching a charge but thankfully they moved out of the way. It didn't take long to pull into Alessandro's driveway, his guards already let me in since he put my name on the list. I left my bag in the car, wanting to hurry and go up to see him.

I knocked on his door a few times and it took him a while to answer. "Athena, love, I saw-" I cut him off, grabbing his face and slamming my lips onto his. He didn't hesitate to kiss me back, bringing me into the room and pushing me up against the door.

He was the first to pull back. "Athena, are you-"

I rolled my eyes and started slipping my shirt over my head. "Stop asking and just fuck me." He kissed me again, snapping off my bra with ease as if he'd done it a million times before. He broke the kiss momentarily to take his shirt off before kissing me with more hunger.

Our chests were pressed against each other, and I moaned at the contact, pushing myself up against him making him groan out. He grabbed my legs and wrapped them around his waist, one hand on my legs and the other on my bare back. I kept my arms around his neck, kissing along his perfect jaw and down his neck. When I sucked and bit at it and he groaned it made me smile as I marked up his neck.

I hadn't noticed we made it to his bedroom until he threw me onto the bed. He tucked his lower lip between his teeth as I slowly moved onto my stomach, arching my back and pushing my ass back onto him. He gripped my hips and ripped the leggings I had on, then slid his hand over my wet cunt through my lingerie. "Already so wet for me, hm?"

He moved my panties to the side and slid one finger in. "Please." I whined, riding his finger and looking for any type of release.

"Please what, butterfly? I need you to be specific." He took his finger out, putting it in his mouth.

"Please fuck me, Sandro." I begged, wiggling my ass as he took his pants off. He kissed down my back, leaving a bit mark in the middle and one on the back of my neck.

"Of course, love."

After my begging to come another thousandth time we were sitting in his bath, his arms wrapped around me and me holding onto his hands. I had my head leaned back on his chest when he kissed my cheek. He hadn't asked me about the Oliver situation but then again, we hadn't said anything since he tried to fucking drown me.

He pushed my head underwater and I actually thought for a quick second I was going to die. Then he made some weird comment about how he'd drown in me any day. I was disgusted with myself because I got turned on by it.

"Tired?" He asked when he noticed I was getting a bit too comfortable in the tub.

"Very. You wore me out." I snuggled closer into his chest as he chuckled.

"I had to force myself to stop. You just taste so damn good." I laughed as he started attacking my neck with kisses.

After we settled, I said, "You haven't said or asked me anything about Oliver."

"Because it's not a relationship I want to pry in unless he hurts you. But I do have a question."

"All ears."

"Are you leaving him?" Straight to the point I see.

"Yes..." Technically, I don't know. It's hard trying to move on from something you've known half your life to something new. It's scary.

"You sound unsure."

I breathed out, "I am. What if you find someone better? Or you get bored of me? What if you see me as a whore for cheating and think I'll do the same to you? What if-"

"One, no one's better than you." He grabbed my chin and turned my face so I'd look at him. "Two I won't get bored of you. Three you aren't a whore and I know you won't cheat on me. The 'what if's' are endless but if you dwell to much on them then you lose sight of something good."

"You called me a whore almost twenty minutes ago. And a slut."

He rolled his eyes. "My whore and my slut. There's a difference." He pressed a kiss to my lips and nose. I was smiling when he had reached my forehead. "Cute."

"What?"

"Your smile." He said, staring at my lips. "It's cute."

I was about to downgrade myself again but his words repeated itself in my head. "Thanks." I smiled and turned, pressing my back into his chest again.

"So, how's your case?" He asked, stroking my hair while I played with the bubbles.

"Good. Besides the fact that stupid fucker tried to buy me out of the case." I scoffed at the memory.

"When does the trial start back? I need to set a reminder in my phone." I smiled, continuing to play with the bubbles.

"In four days. Early so you might not make it."

"I'll be there. Promise." He grabbed my hand and interlocked them.

Facile. That's how it felt to be in his presence. I didn't feel the need to force a conversation to continue. He made everything feel easy. I liked it.

We indulged in a simple conversation for another twenty minutes before actually washing ourselves off. I'd stay here for some time, using Oliver's cheating scandal as an excuse to be here. I kind of felt bad that I didn't care about what Oliver and Katie did. The only thing that annoyed me was the fact he said I didn't have to worry about her.

I also felt bad because I had already moved on from anything and everything that Oliver and I had. Yes, he'd always have a piece of my heart but what I felt for him differs so much from what I feel for Alessandro.

We sat in his office, me straddling him and my arms wrapped around his neck while he typed up documents and left one hand on my ass. He'd kiss my forehead every once in a while, and every time it made me smile. I would've sat somewhere else, but he doesn't want me to leave his sight.

After another hour, I was on my way to sleep when he started to rub my back soothingly and relax in his seat. "Do you want to take a nap?" He whispered.

"I'm not tired." I said and sat up to stretch.

He chuckled and kissed my lips, "You need as much sleep before tomorrow. We'll take an hour nap then we can do whatever you want." We walked upstairs and he set me gently on the bed, getting in beside me. He pulled me closer to his chest and kissed my head once more, "Sleep well, butterfly."

Shouting and yelling came from downstairs, waking me up from my very peaceful nap. Alessandro wasn't beside me like he was when I was asleep and I could hear his deep angry voice downstairs.

I carefully stepped out of the room and peaked down the staircase. "Tabitha I haven't fucking spoke to you in seven months. I want nothing to do with you." He shouted quietly, probably thinking I was still asleep.

Who is Tabitha?

I walked down a few steps but stayed out of sight. "And why? You know what we had was something good." Ew.

"Because you fucking disgust me." I smiled at that and went down a few more steps trying to steal a glance of this Tabitha.

She was tall, thin. Honey eyes and pretty light skin, her hair falling behind her back. "You weren't saying that when you were fucking my brains out!" She shoved him and I literally wanted to kill her for touching him.

"I don't hit women but I swear to fucking God if you don't leave my house..." His fist were clenched at his side and even though I couldn't see his face I could tell he was extremely pissed.

Now, I should have hid behind the wall since I'd already seen her but me being to invested, I got caught. "Who is she?"

Alessandro turned around, his eyes landing on me and I awkwardly waved. Oh God, your so fucking stupid, Athena. "No one." He directed his attention back to her. "Leave my fucking house." Oh.

"Doesn't seem like no one, she's wearing your clothes. Did you find yourself a new whore? She can never do what I did for you, Alessandro."

I wanted to cry.

He grabbed her arm and forcefully pulled her closer, her face that once held anger now held fear. "Get the fuck out or you'll regret having stayed another second in here."

She looked at me, tears pricking at her eyes. "He'll treat you like every other girl! He'll fuck you like he hates you then throw you out like trash." She said just as he dragged her out.

"Athena-" I ignored him and went upstairs, taking his shirt off and replacing it with mine and a pair of jeans. I was no one to him.

"Athena, please, wait." I grabbed my bag, wiping at the tears that had spilled. "Athena..."

"I'm no one to you, right?" I looked up at him with teary eyes and I could see his expression soften.

"Your everything to me, butterfly." He wiped at my tears, leaving his hand on my cheek.

"No Im not. You said how truly felt about me downstairs, it's fine." I lied, tears still spilling down my face. I wasn't going to leave my husband just to get with someone that felt nothing with me.

"Baby, please, you mean the fucking world to me." He continued to wipe at the tears that wouldn't stop falling before pressing his lips against mine. So soft. Always so damn soft. "I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry let me make it up to you. I'll tell the whole world how much you mean to me just please don't leave." He begged.

"Butterfly." I said and he paused. The safe-word I'd come up with the first night we met; a word I thought I'd never use with him. But here I was, not wanting to make this harder than it already was.

He took a few steps away from me, his eyes fighting a battle; kiss me or let me leave. In the end I was leaving his home and getting into my car. He closed the door for me, eyes back to that dark shade of silver instead of the bright shade I came to love.

He opened his mouth to speak, to beg me to stay, but closed it back right after. "Alessandro." I said when he didn't let go of my door handle.

He took a deep breath before retreating away from me. He stopped just as I was pulling out, beginning to turn around but walking back into his home instead.

CHAPTER 21

Alessandro

It's been three days since I've last seen Athena. She sent Jasper, my best friend, and Kano here every day to make sure I was fine, and it made me miss her even more. She's too good for someone like me, for anyone for that matter.

I called her for the thousandth and it, as usual, went to voicemail. "Athena, please baby, I miss you so fucking much. I'm so sorry." I was cut off by it saying her voicemail box was full, probably because of me. I drunk the rest of the bottle of whiskey, becoming a bit light-headed, as the two most annoying voices came into focus. "It's noon and your drinking?" Kano said with a scoff.

"Athena. How's Athena?" I managed to slur out as I tried to grab another bottle.

"Nope." Jasper grabbed and took a swig. "She's fine. How'd you manage to fuck that up? She's funny and she's gorgeous, that's some hard shit to find."

"Has she spoke about me?"

"Clearly if she's been asking us to check up on you every damn day." Jasper rolled his eyes as him and Kano grabbed my arms. "You drinking isn't going to get her attention. Be a man and show the woman you love her."

Love? Is that what I'm feeling for her? I love Athena, I love her so fucking much. "Is she still at Serene's place?" I know it may sound weird but I've been keeping in contact with Serene and she's been giving me little information, to respect Athena. I only know that she's been fine. Better than me.

"Yeah, don't act like a bitch and sober up before you go see her." Kano slapped my face playfully after they set me in the bed. "We'll help ourselves and take the alcohol."

"Assholes." I groaned, the headache coming harder than last night.

"Yeah, yeah, we love you too."

Athena

If it weren't for Serene, I'd be right back in Alessandro's arms by now. I miss him so much and it's so hard to ignore his messages and voicemails. Hell, he's even started emailing me on both my regular and business email. Serene told me he's been calling and whenever he does, I sit close just to hear his voice, even if he's drunk off his ass half the time.

Three more days until Brinda's court date and I'm stressing about other things. The press has still been on my ass, especially with the cheating scandal. Not only did Oliver kiss Kattie but they also had sex. Multiple times. They found out I was staying at Serene's, and they've been hounding her home day and night. It's honestly exhausting, having to somehow distract the press so the other is able to leave the house without running someone over.

"You ready?" Serene asked, adjusting her white shirt. The two of us, including Rachael, were getting ready to go out to the gym.

"Yeah."

"Did he call again?" I nodded. "Your better than me. With the type of voicemails and messages he leaves you I would've ran back to him."

I laughed as we went out the back door. We'd put a car there now, one the press had never seen us drove. "I want to. I really, really do. But I also don't want him to think it's going to be easy to get back into my good graces whenever we get into an argument."

"I understand. Gotta make him regret everything." Rachael said as she climbed into the backseat and I nodded. The press was lined up outside of Serene's place and I couldn't help but feel a little bad for bringing all this attention to her.

By the time we had gotten in the car I'd realized I had forgotten my gym bag so, much to Serene's annoyance, I went to retrieve it. As I walked in, the house had some weird vibe like something bad was about to happen. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared as shit.

I took a deep breath and went looking for my bag. I started to go through it to make sure I wouldn't annoy Serene and leave something again. Her car horn honked and I laughed, throwing the bag over my shoulder and beginning to walk out. A hand came out, covering my mouth and dragging me back inside.

"Just drop it." The voice said angrily. I knew it from somewhere I just couldn't pin it because I was in shock. All I could think about was if I was going to die.

The duffel bag had dropped to the floor, with one hand on his arm that was suffocating me the other reached down into my pocket to grab my keys. I was getting more dizzy the longer he choked me but once I stabbed the key in his arm he let go.

I started coughing falling to the floor and gripping my neck as I tried to breathe in air. Instead of just sitting there I got up feeling light headed and making a run for the door.

Just as I was close I was yanked back by my hair and thrown onto the ground. The masked man tried to land a punch to my face but I rolled over, making him fall to the ground. I crawled into the kitchen and tried to stand when he gripped my hair again.

"You brought this on yourself." He said and pulled me down onto the floor. He stood over me and I took the opportunity to kick him in the balls. Getting up as he held onto his crotch I grabbed a knife but it was twisted out of my hand and he turned me around to face him.

"Stupid fucking bitch!" He punched me in my face sending me falling to the ground and almost passing out. Blood had spilled from my mouth and nose and when I tried to get up he kicked me in my stomach.

"We warned you." Another kick. "But you didn't listen." I winced at the hardest kick he'd sent me. There was blood. Too much blood.

It took all of the strength I had to grab his leg just as he was about to kick me and pull him to the ground. I stood up, shaking and feeling a weird hard pain in my stomach as more blood dripped down my legs.

I grabbed the dirty knife that sat in the sink and turned around just as he stood up. Tears had fell down my face as I pointed the knife at him. I know I'd gotten kicked repeatedly but something in my body felt off.

"I swear to fucking God if you don't leave I will kill you." It was a lie, of course, I was to weak and feeling way to much pain in my stomach to try and kill this man.

He lunged at me and the knife was able to scrape his neck before he knocked it out of my hand. His hands wrapped around my neck and I gripped his wrist. "I told you you'd regret this. He will not go to prison because of a whore like you. You will not let him get killed in that prison."

I choked and choked, trying to get him away from me. It started to hurt to breathe and my eyes started rolling to the back of my head. "Get the fuck off her you asshole!" Someone yelled, jumping onto the strangers back.

I passed out before I could hear or see anything else.

Alessandro

I woke up feeling happy for once.

I was going to see Athena and apologize, tell her how much I love her, and do anything to get her back in my arms.

I wore a white dress shirt, black slacks, and her favorite watch of mine. I had a blue bouquet of flowers in hand along with a box of her favorite donuts.

I'd rehearsed everything over a thousand times. And made a few adjustments here and there.

Fuck I'm a nervous wreck. I've been making sure the flowers and donuts looked perfect for the last thirty minutes. If I fuck this up not only will I hate myself Kano and Jasper would probably murder me and get away with it.

After another ten minutes of checking everything I decided to finally leave the house. I took over a hundred deep breaths and kept on reassuring myself that everything was perfect.

I took one final deep breath when I get closer to Serenes house. Don't ask how I got the address. Confusion took over my features at the sight of cop cars and ambulances.

Is Athena okay? The worst case scenarios played in my head as I hurried out of the car and into the home. "Sir, you can't go in there! Sir!" An officer yelled but I pushed past all of them and ran through the front door.

"You can't be-" Their voices faded when my eyes landed on the bloody handprints, knife on the floor, then slowly to the puddle of blood. Where the fuck is Athena.

My heart was racing and I felt myself stop breathing at the thought of possibly losing her. "Alessandro? Alessandro, it's okay." Serene was in front of me now, the officers had gone elsewhere.

She had a cast on her arm and a worried look on her face. She already knew what I needed to hear. "Athena's at the Sinclair hospital. She's fine but in critical condition. Do you-"

I thanked her before rushing out of the house. I needed to see Athena and make sure the love of my life was still breathing. I needed her to still be breathing.

She probably wouldn't want me speeding down the road and almost crashing but I could care less. I was surprised I made it to the hospital without cops pulling me over.

I ran inside to the front desk. "Mr. Sinclair, how can I-"

"Athena Mallory Escarra. Where is she?" I was getting impatient as she typed her name.

"I'm surgery right now. She'll be out in a few minutes."

"How long is a few minutes."

"Um, twenty minutes." I chewed on the inside of my bottom lip as I paced back and forth. The receptionist said something but I was already walking away.

It took everything for me not to walk in the surgery room and hold her hand. To see her face and feel her soft skin. I needed the reassurance that she was still here. That we still had time to be together. To hopefully get married and have mini versions of us running around. I needed to know she still had time to be Athena Sinclair-Escarra.

There was way to much blood for her to be fine.

I flew up out of my seat as the doctor came and walked to us, blood on his gloves. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay. She's okay.

The doctor spoke. "She's okay." And I felt relief flood my body. She's okay. My butterfly is okay. Serene started crying and hugged the blond woman.

"What room is she in?" I asked, my hands itching to feel her skin.

"104 but-" I didn't stay to listen to whatever he said but whatever it was made Serene cry harder and louder. I ran towards her room and the sight made my heart crumble.

Her hand had been bandaged and there was a bruise around her neck. I walked closer and saw the bruises that disappeared underneath her gown. Her eye and lip were busted and she had a bruise on her cheek. For the first time, I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry because the sight of her made me feel bad. I wasn't there to protect her like I was supposed to be.

I grabbed her hand and kissed it over and over again. "I'm so sorry, butterfly. For everything." My eyes were closed as I kissed her hand.

I heard a cough then a wince right after it. She was awake. "Baby, Athena, how are you. Are you okay? Never mind, that was a stupid question-"

"Alessandro." She said, her voice strained. "Water."

"Fuck, right, sorry." She returned her gaze back to the ceiling. I poured her a glass of water and walked back over to her with a straw. She opened her mouth and took a few sips.

"Thank you." She cleared her throat which seem to make it hurt worse.

"No, no. Don't talk it's okay." I kissed her forehead and moved hair out of her face. "Your okay." I smiled but it quickly fell when she started crying. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

She cried and cried, shaking her head and apologizing. "Please don't be mad. I didn't know. I- I- I didn't know. I'm sorry." She cried and I wiped the tears away from her face.

"What? What didn't you know, butterfly?"

She took my hand and squeezed it with very little strength. "I lost it. I- I lost our... our baby." She cried, and I froze. She was pregnant? She lost the baby. Fuck, she lost our baby.

Her crying grew harder and I carefully moved her to the side, crawling in and cradling her head to my chest. "Shh, shh. It's okay, I'm not mad. I would never be mad. It's not your fault, baby." I kissed her hair, letting my lips stay there as she cried more.

We lost our baby. We lost our baby. She would've had my child. We would've had kids if it weren't for- "Do you know who did it?" I asked, my worry turning into anger.

"N- Nate." She sobbed, moving closer to me and I wrapped my arms tighter around her.

Nate... Nate... "Nate, the guy that threatened you?" She nodded. "Your positive?"

"Yes, he kept talking about how he told me I was going to regret it and that I should've listened. I know it was him. He- he-" She started to cry again which made me more angry. "I want him dead." She cried out.

"Baby, butterfly, I need you to breathe." I made her look up at me and placed her hand on my chest where my heart was. We breathed in and out until she started breathing normally.

"I-" Someone opened the door frantically, cutting me off and catching Athena and I by surprise.

"Athena?" Oliver said but stopped moving towards the bed once he noticed me. Oh great, just make my day worse than it already is.

He scowled at me and his fists were balled by his sides. "Why are you holding my wife."

"No." Athena cut in before we could start arguing like children. "Leave. Please leave."

"But-"

"Get him out of here. I don't want to see him." I nodded, kissing her forehead before getting up. I grabbed Oliver by the arm and against his wishes dragged him out and locked the door.

He was like a little kid, fighting me and calling me all types of names. Security came and grabbed him and literally threw him out.

"He's gone, butterfly." She tried covering her face as I got closer. I got back into the small bed and moved her hand away. "Your beautiful. You've always been beautiful and always will be." I kissed the bruise on her cheek, her busted eye, and her busted lip.

I glided my lips down to her neck and kissed along the path of the bruise around it. "How-" Her voice came out pinched so she cleared her throat. "How long are you staying?"

"However long you need me to." Her stomach growled lowly and we looked at each other. "When was the last time you ate?"

"Uh," She chuckled nervously. "I had a pop tart for breakfast."

I rolled my eyes, "I'll be back." Her face dropped as she silently begged me to stay. I pressed my lips against hers softly. "I'm just going to my car."

"Promise?"

I picked up her butterfly hand and kissed it. She smiled. "Promise, love." I quickly left out of the room but had a bit of trouble leaving since paparazzi surrounded the front side.

When I made it to my car in one piece I grabbed the flowers and donuts before jogging back in. She probably couldn't eat them right now but whatever. I opened the door and set the food down on the chair, not looking in her direction just yet.

"Hey, baby, I don't know if you can eat donuts but-" I didn't see her in the bed but a bit of blood was on the floor and went into the bathroom. That's when I heard muffled crying and ran inside to see her crouched on the floor, blood still spilling out of her.

"I'll call a nurse." She didn't respond, kept her gaze on the blood and cried. Once I called for a nurse they quickly came in and cleaned her, she never stopped crying.

For the hundredth time today, I wanted to cry. For Athena, my love, who is going through so many emotions. For our baby girl or baby boy that would've been so loved. It hurts me that I'll never get to meet them.

It's weird how, even though I'm just now finding out about them, I already have this strong feeling of love for them. A feeling that I'll never be able to show them because they were taken away from me.

CHAPTER 22

But I needed to stay strong for Athena. I would grieve after I made sure she was okay. I helped change her out of her hospital gown and into my dress shirt. She was facing me, looking down, as I tied her hair up into the neatest bun I could.

"Butterfly?" I said when she kept her head down. "Look at me." I tilted her head up by her chin and as soon as her eyes landed on me they became glossy.

"I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry, Alessandro. Please don't hate me I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't mean for any of it to happen." She cried, putting her forehead on my bare chest. "Please..."

I stroked her back and blinked back any tears. "Athena, I need you to hear me when I say this." I pulled her head back so she could look at me, my hands cupping her face and wiping at her tears. "You did not do any of this. None of this is your fault it's Nate's. I'm not mad and I don't hate you, okay?"

I kissed her soft lips then her cheek. "You know I'd do anything for you, right? Even kill." I had my forehead pressed against her, eyes closed but i I could still feel her eyes on me. "What do you want me to do to him, Athena?"

She hesitated before saying, "Torture him. I want him tortured for what he did to our baby."

Our baby.

"Done." She hugged me tighter, I picked her up and wrapped her legs around my waist. She had her head nuzzled in the crook of my neck as I carried her to the bed.

I set her down first so she'd get comfortable before going to turn the lights out. I basically owned the fucking hospital so I was staying all night. Crawling in next to her, she set her wrapped arm on my chest and her leg over mine. I held her thigh while my other hand rubbed her back.

After all of the hours I've spent with her, she finally felt relaxed. I kissed her butterfly hand before falling asleep with her in my arms.

Athena

I wanted to kill Nate Thomas. I still do.

I felt bad for Alessandro because all he was doing was taking care of me and not taking the time to grieve the loss of his child. Our child.

He's been caring for me and I love it but I haven't even seen him shed a tear. It hurts me more when he feels as if he has to be strong around me.

I felt soft, gentle kisses being placed all over my face. "Baby. It's time to wake up, love." Alessandro said softly and continued to kiss my face. I groaned but moved closer to where the kisses were coming from.

He chuckled and rubbed my back, moving to my stomach but freezing. It was almost unnoticeable because he immediately went back to rubbing my back. "Serene's here to see you. I have to step out for a moment."

I nodded, kissing his lips quickly. He stood up and started pulling on his pants. "Oh, Athena. I need to apologize." He walked back over as I sat up in the bed. "I- You mean everything to me. I'm sorry for the way I acted when Tabitha was there. I said it because I knew she'd go to the press about it and I wasn't sure if you were ready for that. It's no excuse for saying your no one to me when, in reality, your my entire life. Im sorry, Athena." He kissed the tattoo and looked up at me with sincere eyes.

I smiled and placed a hand on his cheek. "I know your sorry. But," Worry appeared in his eyes causing me to laugh slightly. "I won't allow you to just have me again. You'll have to work for it."

"Of course, my love. I'll do anything." He kissed my palm and stood up. When he finished dressing he kissed me on my eye, cheek, lip and neck. "Your beautiful. You've always been beautiful and always will be." I smiled.

Just as he left, Serene and Rachael walked in with big sad smiles on their faces. "I knew the bitch wouldn't die. She's fucking immortal." Rachael said, trying to lighten the sad mood. We laughed, Serene trying her hardest not to cry.

She had a broken arm and her face looked as if she'd been crying all night. "How are you?" They sat on either side of my bed.

"I'm fine, Serene. From the look your giving me I assume you both already know." They reached for either of my hands at the same time.

"I'm sorry. No deserves to lose a baby."

"I didn't even know I was pregnant." I scoffed. "All the signs were there but I ignored them. Of course I did." I bit my lip so I wouldn't cry. I was tired of crying. I felt weak.

"Athena, you know this isn't your fault, right?" Rachael asked.

"Alessandro's been telling me all night but I can't help it. I should've at least noticed something was different."

"He's good for you. I'm glad he's here, and he's right. Whoever did this to you, they'll suffer. I promise."

Oh don't I know.

"I'm glad to finally see you guys, though!" I said and we all leaned in for a group hug.

"Ugh, me too. Did Oliver come in here by any chance?" Serene asked.

Rachael rolled her eyes with a small smile. "Yes he did. How'd you know?"

They laughed, "Well let's just say that if your husband wasn't practically the owner of this hospital and hated Oliver's guts then we wouldn't be here."

"What did you do, Serene?" She laughed knowingly and they both made themselves comfortable on my bed.

"First, it started with him saying I turned you away from him. Then I said he has bitch like tendencies." I laughed as well as Rachael.

Long story short; Oliver and Serene were arguing, Serene of course insulting him to the fullest extent. And she slapped him, almost made him fall to the ground, and started to cuss him out. Alessandro had him completely thrown out of the hospital.

We all sat and laughed for a moment, giving me an opportunity to be distracted from current life problems. It had to have been an hour or two before Alessandro finally came back.

"Oh, seems like your big dick daddy wants some alone time with you." Serene wiggled her eyebrows and Alessandro chuckled while shaking his head.

"Oh God. You nasty whore." Once she and Rachael were behind Alessandro, Serene bent Rachael over and they started making moaning faces. He turned around and they almost fell over when they tried to get out of position.

They walked out like giggling highschool kids. "Their characters." I nodded with a smile. "I have your discharge papers." My eyes fell down to the visible parts of his chest before slowly moving down.

Stay focused. Your mad at him.

"Love? Your drooling." He used his thumb to wipe fake drool from the corner of my mouth. I slapped his hand away causing him to laugh and his dimples show. It's so hard being mad at this Greek God.

"Where- uh.. Where will you be staying?" It was cute when he was all flustered and nervous.

"Serene's or my parents. That reminds me have you seen them? They look exactly me." He shook his head. "I should probably go see them."

He looked like he wanted to say something and took a deep breath before he did. "Can- can you stay with me?"

I smiled, signing the papers before handing them back. "I don't think so."

"I just want to keep an eye on you. You know, be there for you while you go through this..." He set the papers down and helped me out of the bed. He got onto his knees while I stayed seated on the bed.

I sighed, "We're both going through this. Your allowed to feel it too, Alessandro." He didn't make eye contact as he helped me into a pair of leggings. I grabbed his chin and forced his eyes up to mine. "Men can cry. If you want to cry I'm here."

The longer he stared into my eyes the watery they got. "It's okay. I'm here for you like your here for me. I've got you like you've got me." I said, he wrapped his arms around my waist and placed his head in my lap.

He was holding back his tears but I could feel his pain. His arms tightened around me and I placed a few kisses in his hair. We sat in this saddened silence, comforted by each other's breathing and the knowing fact that we'd be here for each other through this entire process.

"I'm sorry. I- I just-"

I cut him off, picking his head up and seeing one single tear fall. I kissed it then wiped it away. "I understand. But it's me, if you ever need to cry then I'm here." He nodded and I kissed his forehead.

He helped me change into a hoodie and grabbed all of my personal items. The nurse brought in a wheelchair since Alessandro didn't want me walking too much. We walked out the back so press wouldn't surround us.

"So, your going to reschedule the case right?" He asked as we neared his car.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Why would I do that?

"Because you need to rest."

"I can rest after Nate is thrown in jail."

"I don't want you to be stressing right now."

"I understand that but I won't be able to sleep if he isn't behind bars." He helped me get into the car, put the wheelchair in the backseat, then got in.

"Okay, but after this case you need to take vacation days."

"Fine." I rolled my eyes and started to play with the flowers. I thought of Oliver just as my phone started making notification sounds. Deep down I knew it was more news about Oliver and Katie but I still wanted to know for sure.

There were just more photos of the two, hugging kissing, and looking happy. He showed her everything I begged and asked him for with no argument. I was angry because I gave him everything I had to offer and he took it all for granted.

Alessandro placed his hand on my thigh and squeezed it. "Want to talk about it?"

"Not right now." He took my hand and brought it to his lips, letting them linger on my hand for a while, before setting his hand back on my thigh.

My eyes drifted from his hand to my stomach. I placed my hand on it and smiled at the thought of me being a mother. There would've been a mini me or mini Sandro running around.

We would've had a little one and I would've loved them more than the world itself.

I hadn't even noticed I was crying until Alessandro was wiping my tears and hugging me. I knew the random crying and wishing I still had my baby was going to last a while. It hurt like hell that I was never going to be able to grow a relationship with her or him. Hell, I didn't even know there was someone in there I had to protect.

We were parked on the side of the road, bystanders stopping for a second to see what was happening. He pulled me into his lap, my arms around his neck and head in the crook of his neck. He rubbed my back and kissed my temple.

"I'm here, love. I'll always be here." He whispered in my ear and continued to rub my back. I cried myself to sleep in his arms and he didn't seem to mind at all.

I woke up in bed at Serene's. I honestly didn't want to get up but I felt something wet between my legs. I sat up and moved the cover, seeing the little blood on the sheets.

After taking the sheets off the bed and throwing it all in the hamper I stripped and went into the steaming shower. I just stood there. Not moving, not blinking, just staring off into space.

I watched as the blood ran down the drain and disappeared. My poor baby. I rubbed at my belly with a sad smile, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you and that I didn't know I had an angel in my belly. I promise I'll put Nate in prison for what he did to you. To your father and I."

I've never experienced such an extreme amount of pain, physically and emotionally. It felt like I lost an entire part of myself I hadn't even know was there. It felt like my heart was being stabbed over and over again. I just wanted to curl up in a hole and die.

I showered quickly before going out and changing into a pair of shorts and hoodie. I just put a pair of panties on and no bra, I didn't even bother to dry my hair. I walked out of the bedroom, grabbed a blanket and a bottle of water.

"Athena-"

"I'm not really in the mood to talk. I love you guys." I shut my door and plopped down on the bed. I didn't want to do anything but sleep. The longer I was awake the more I thought about my angel. The more I thought about Nate and how he was going to die.

So that's what I did, I fell asleep with a pillow clutched to my stomach.

CHAPTER 23

Alessandro