Chapter 70: Chapter Sixty Nine

Eros

Athena leaned in, her lips meeting mine in a kiss that felt like the culmination of everything we had endured together. It was tender, yet laced with the weight of our shared emotions and unspoken desires—a kiss that felt like everything we’d been waiting for.

As we slowly pulled apart, a soft smile passed between us. For a fleeting moment, the world felt still—quiet. But by the time we noticed the figure lurking in the distance, it was already too late.

A voice cut through the evening air, sharp and commanding.

“Eros. Athena.”

We froze.

Turning toward the voice, my stomach dropped.

There, standing at the doorway, was my father, Leonardo. His imposing figure was framed by the dim light, casting a long shadow across the room. I couldn’t believe it—he’d followed us all the way to Greece. 

Couldn't he have waited until I got back? His overbearing attempts at playing the protective father were beginning to wear thin.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice cold.

Leonardo’s gaze shifted to Athena, frosty and unwavering. “We need to talk.” He said, his tone clipped. 

Athena’s smile faltered. She was close enough that I could feel her heartbeat accelerate, the tension between us tightening like a rope being pulled taut. My grip on her instinctively tightened, not wanting to let her go—not now.

“Not now, Father,” I said, jaw clenched.

“Yes. Now,” he insisted. “Preferably alone.”

“I’ll just…” Athena began softly, slipping her hand from mine. “I’ll just go.”

“No. She stays.” I pulled her back gently. “The only person not welcome here is you, Leonardo. Leave us alone.”

Without waiting for his response, I led Athena back inside, away from him. I had a sinking feeling that his visit wasn’t just a surprise—it was a storm waiting to break. And I wasn’t going to let him destroy the fragile peace I’d finally found with her.

Moonlight spilled through the open windows, casting silver ribbons across the marble floor. A salty breeze drifted in from the sea, but inside, the air felt heavy—choked with unspoken words and rising anger.

“Eros, it’s okay,” Athena whispered. “I’ll just go upstairs so you two can talk.”

“No,” I snapped, my eyes locked on the fireplace. “He doesn’t get to barge in here pretending he cares about me.”

I stood rigid by the fireplace, fists clenched, trying to steady my breath. Though I wasn’t holding her anymore, Athena didn’t leave. She must’ve known I didn’t want to face him alone.

Leonardo stepped fully into the room, his shoes echoing against the tiles, voice sharp with authority.

“You need to end your relationship with Athena,” he said, tone flat and absolute.

I turned slowly, disbelief flashing in my eyes. “Excuse me?”

“I said you need to end it. Whatever this is between you—it stops now.” He said.

A bitter smile played on my lips. “You flew across the world just to tell me who I can and can’t love?”

“This isn’t love, Eros. It’s a mistake. One that will destroy you.”

“I don’t need your permission,” I growled. “And I won’t let you control my life. Not now. Not ever. Stay out of it, Leonardo. Leave us alone.”

His face darkened, fury rising beneath his calm facade. “You have no idea what you’re getting into.”

I stepped closer, jabbing a finger toward my father. “No. What I’m not getting into is another lifetime of being manipulated by you. I love her. And I’m not ending anything.”

Leonardo snapped back, his voice cracking under the weight of something deeper. “You think this is about control? About power? You really believe I want to destroy what you have?”

“Then what is it?” I fired back, my voice sharp.

He hesitated. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, and he took a step back, shaking his head like he was trying to banish the truth before it escaped. But then, in a voice stripped bare, he finally said it.

“Because I knew her mother.”

My brows furrowed, confused. “What?”

His eyes met mine, sharp and unwavering. “Before either of you were born… Athena’s mother and I—we were in love.”

Stunned, I blinked. Athena gasped behind me, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from my father.

“No,” he continued, voice trembling now, “not just in love. We were everything to each other. I wanted to marry her. I was going to marry her.”

“Then why didn’t you?” I asked, my voice quieter now, heavy with disbelief.

“Because your grandfather forbade it,” Leonardo said bitterly. “He said she wasn’t suitable. Not the right pedigree. Not the right bloodline. So he forced me to marry Isadora Montgomery instead—the oil heiress.”

My heart pounded against my ribs. “So you’re saying… you loved Athena’s mother before Mom?”

He nodded slowly, years of regret weighing down his expression. “Yes. And that love never went away. After my marriage to Isadora began to fall apart… I found her again. Athena’s mother. And for a little while, everything made sense again.”

I stared at him, my jaw slack, barely breathing. “You had an affair with her? While you were still married to Mom? You’re the reason she was so unhappy? You and… that woman?”

Leonardo didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. His silence was louder than any confession.

“When?” I demanded, my voice rising. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue now?”

“Years ago,” he finally admitted. “Before Isadora’s accident. Before everything fell apart.”

A heavy silence hung in the air like smoke, suffocating.

I swallowed hard. “And Athena’s father?” I asked through clenched teeth.

Leonardo’s expression shifted, hardening. “He found out. And he didn’t confront me. Didn’t talk to her. Didn’t even try to stop it. Instead… he planned something far worse.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Athena start to shake her head violently, taking slow steps backward. It was like she knew what was coming—and didn’t want to hear it.

“What are you saying?” I asked, the chill in my chest spreading.

Leonardo’s gaze darkened. “He orchestrated the car accident that killed your mother and your sister.”

The world tilted beneath me. The air disappeared. The walls felt like they were closing in. Somewhere in the distance, I heard Athena sob, her cry muffled as her hand flew to cover her mouth.

“You’re lying,” I whispered, shaking my head, barely recognizing my own voice. “That can’t be true.”