ATHENA

    "Stay in the car while I check out the area." Zayan says as he unbuckles his belt and pulls a damn gun from the dash, making my eyes widen in shock.

    "My dad is running for office. It makes me a target during campaigns." He exins, making me press my lips together.

    "I didn''t say anything."

    Zayan smirks, catching the silent judgment in my eyes anyway. "You didn''t have to."

    I roll my eyes, but inside, I''m thankful. I hate that I''m thankful. Because this shouldn''t be happening. I shouldn''t be here, chasing ghosts and clutching to the thin thread of a maybe.

    He steps out of the car, scanning the surroundings like a trained agent, making me wonder how many things he can do. He''s an excellent doctor, a great rider, and now he looks like a spy in disguise. Who am I friends with?

    I follow him as I approach the building, ensuring whoever is here is able to see I didn''t go against our agreement.

    "I told you to stay in the damn car, Athena!" He hisses, but I just shake my head.

    He lets out a curse and checks our surroundings when the door to the diner opens, making Zayan aim the gun.

    "I don''t know if I appreciate the gun aiming at me, Dr. Dawson. "A voice I recognize says to me, making me halt my tracks as blood drains from face.

    Nurse Anna?

    Anna was the nurse in charge every time I went for a checkup. She was like my personal nurse. She was also present when I was giving birth.

    I loved how soft-spoken she was, and I treated her like a mother seeing her age.

    "Anna?" I gasp, unable to address her by any other name since this was the only name we knew.

    "Come in. The gentleman stays back."

    Zayan''s jaw tightens,

    "The fuck I will."

    "Zayan, we are on thin ice. Please." I plead.

    "I don''t trust her. What if it''s a trap?" He growls and I reach over and squeeze his

    arm.

    "It can only get worse right? I won''t take long, I promise."

    I see the war behind his eyes. He doesn''t trust her hell, I''m not sure I do either anymore but he lowers the gun slowly, keeping it close to his side.

    "I''ll be right here," he says through gritted teeth, his voice low like a growl. His eyes flick to mine, and that one look says everything "Scream and I''m in there."

    I give him a quick nod before stepping into the diner, the door creaking shut behind me.

    It''s dimly lit inside, dust particles swirling through the beams of weak yellow light. The tables are untouched, like a time capsule from a past no one visits anymore. Anna stands by one of the corner booths, hands sped in front of her like she''s been waiting years for this moment.

    Her face is older than I remember, lines etched deeper, eyes wearier but there''s something else.

    Guilt.

    "Sit," she says gently, motioning to the seat across from her.

    I do, cautiously. My hands digging into my flesh.

    She studies me for a moment before sighing. "You always were smart. I figured you''de."

    My throat tightens. "What is this? Why are you here? That message, was it from you?"

    She nods, slowly. "Yes. But I didn''t want it to go to a wrong person. I had to be careful that''s why I took so long to call back."

    "Careful?" My voice cracks. "You sent me a message that made my heart stop. Why didn''t you do the double check before messing with my head?"

    Anna looks down, her eyes ssy. "I''m sorry for the pain you''ve been through, Athena. You''re such a sweet child who doesn''t deserve this."

    "You said you knew what happened to my baby?"

    She nods.

    "That child... your child... didn''t die, Athena."

    The world tilts.

    "What?" I whisper.

    She nods, slower this time, with shame.

    .n

    "You were lied to. Manipted. There was a n in motion long before you ever stepped foot in that hospital. It all starteding together the moment you became pregnant. Someone asked for all your details after every visit

    including your delivery date."

    "And instead of telling me, I''m guessing you helped them?" My voice is harsh and using but I don''t care.

    Anna''s lip quivers. "Yes. I was given no choice. they threatened to kill my son, Athena. I was left helpless."

    "Who put you up to this? And where

    the hell is my son!" All I can see is red and my rage is growing by the second I might as well turn to fucking hulk himself.

    "Leah Woods. She switched the two

    babies. It was a well orchestrated

    n. And it just took Mr. King a

    second

    move to pick a calbfor the

    swap to happen."

    My heart breaks into a thousand pieces.

    "But Leah was pregnant-"

    "It was a fake baby bump meant to match your timeliness. I don''t know why she

    did it, but she was hell bent on doing anything to get it done."

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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!