ATHENA

    "Dr. Dawson!" Rayen wriggles out of Alex''s arms the moment he spots me and dashes toward me with a wide grin.

    It took a long time to get him to stop calling me mummy and just call me Dr. Dawson, but after a few exnations he gave in.

    I can''t lie. Seeing him hurts me, but he''s just an innocent boy who finds my presence warming.

    How can I push him away?

    I barely have time to brace myself before he flings his arms around my waist, nearly knocking the wind out of me.

    "Rayen," I breathe, crouching to hug him back tightly. "You''re supposed to be in school."

    He pulls back just enough to pout. "I told Daddy I wouldn''t stop crying until he brought me to see you."

    I nce up at Alex, who''s now stopped a few feet away, hands in his pockets, watching quietly with unreadable eyes.

    "He''s very persistent," Alex says.

    I rise slowly, my heart still a chaotic mess after everythingn just told me.

    "Hey," Alex says softly once Rayen skips off toward the nurses'' desk. "You okay?"

    I nod, too quickly. "Yeah. Fine. Just got out of a meeting withn."

    He tilts his head, studying me. "You sure you''re fine?"

    "I said I''m fine,” I snap more harshly than I intend. My walls are back up, brick by brick.

    His brows knit together. "Athena-"

    "You should go," I cut him off before I let the tremble in my voice betray me." I''ve got rounds."

    "Dr. Dawson, do you hate me?" A sad little voice makes me halt my steps as I look around the busy hospital and walk back towards him.

    "No sweetie. I''d never hate you. It''s just that this ce is full of gems. A baby like you shouldn''t be here." I try to exin gently, but the little man gives me a frown.

    "I''m not a baby."

    Iugh before pulling his tiny hands in mine, "How about we meet somewhere else when I''m not working?"

    His eyes light up, "I''m having a birthday party next week. Can you help me n it?"

    "I cane but mummy-"

    "Mummy got upset when I disturbed her. She''ll get mad at me, and I don''t want her to be angry. Can you help me instead?"

    My heart clenches, caught between the tenderness in Rayen''s eyes and the chaos of everything spinning around my life.

    I crouch down again, looking into his hopeful face. "Your mum might not like that very much, Rayen. Why not do it with Aunt Sloane. She''s excellent at nning.”

    He looks down, his small fingers twisting in mine. "Okay.."

    I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing a breath through my nose.

    Okay, he is doing to me what he wants. To break my heart and trap me in guilt.

    This isn''t my ce.

    This isn''t my child. And yet...

    "I can''t promise anything, but maybe

    I can he

    here and there," I sigh

    defeat, brushing a curl off his e

    forehead. "How about that

    His face lites up like the sun.

    "Yay! Daddy, can you join us?!"

    Alex clears his throat behind us, clearly caught unaware,

    "Sure buddy. I can."

    I rise slowly to face him.

    "You know Leah will be furious when she finds out," he says quietly, his voice

    "I know," I reply just as quietly. "I''ll find a way to quickly leave."

    His gaze drops, lingering on Rayen with something raw in his eyes and a smirk at

    the corner of his lips,

    "Good luck with that."

    Iugh at the sarcasm in his tone and lift Rayen.

    That''s my way of kicking them out so I can start my shift.

    As we reach the car, Ryan sees us and rushes to hold the door open with a smile on his face, "Hi Athena."

    "Hi Ryan."

    Once Rayen is secured in the back seat, Rayan drives off so he can go back home since Alex says he still has work to do.

    This is shocking since it looks like he only brought Rayen to see me right after our awkward encounter, which was this morning.

    "About earlier today," I begin, my throat suddenly getting dry.

    "It''s alright. I understand." He pulls his keys out before finding my gaze once more and locking me in ce.

    “Ian said something about Leah having saved you.” My curiosity gets the better of

    me.

    Alex only nods.

    "Did she tell you how she was able

    to get her hands on it? I don''t

    vel

    remember seeing her close to my parents. I''m not using her of anything. I just want to know." rify to avoid any

    misunderstandings.

    Alex takes two steps forward, and

    ?.

    hold my breath. He reaches over and

    pulls my bottom lip from between

    my teeth, and my whole body

    explodes.

    His voice is a deep whisper when he answers,

    "She was their intern at that time."

    I nod. My senses suddenly flooded and non-existent.

    "I''ll see you soon, Athena." He promises before he walks to his car and drives off.

    Only after my phone vibrates do I realize that bastard just touched me!

    Anger res inside my chest as hatred fills my bones even though my heart can''t

    get the signal because it continues to beat faster.

    What the hell!