MainNovelChapter 63 ~ Is there a reason?
ATHENA
"He doesn't mean it" Ariana says, and | almost laugh at that.
She had cto pickup so we could go shopping, but | thought it would be nice for the men to tag along.
What a stupid idea this was.
We had just reached the door when | heard Alex talk about how | was shoved down his throat. The pain that | feel
is not new, but it doesn't hurt any less.
"I know he loves her. It's not news to me." | look at my mother inlaw before knocking on the door.
Ariana sighs as she opens Alex's door and walks in.
"Mum." Alex sits upright.
"Hi Sweetheart, | was about to cto you." Eli says, and Ariana smiles, placing a kiss on his lips.
"We haven't done much, we thought we could join you, but I'm not sure today is a good day." Ariana says as Alex
stands to give her a kiss.
This is the only tyou'll ever get to see his soft eyes. When he's looking at his mother and grandmother,
"Hi." | say slowly. Not knowing what else to say to him.
"Hi." He responds, "You can sit on the couch. It's more comfortable."
| nod and take a seat as Ariana tells Eli about how excited she is to be a grandma.
Alex barely acknowledges me. His gaze flickers in my direction, but there's no warmth, no recognition anymore.
The soft man he was three months ago seems to have disappeared into thin air, and | can't help but wonder if
there is something wrong.
"Mum and | are going shopping for the baby. | wanted to see if you'd like to come." | suggest not knowing how
else to break the ice.
"Not today." He responds after a beat.
Ariana exhales sharply, clearly displeased.
"Alex-"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
"I have work to do, mum." he cuts in, already turning back to his desk like being here is not only wasting his time
but also evading his space.
I nod slowly, swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth.
"Of course. | understand."
It's like we are back to square one. Something is always up. He goes for work before | wake up and returns home
when I'm asleep. I've been so depressed | haven't even had a chance to finish decorating our new home.
| bet Sloane is tired of my excuses.
| turn to leave, but Ariana grips my wrist gently, holdingback. "Athena -"
"It's fine," | whisper, forcing a small, tired smile. "Let's just go."
Because if | stay any longer, | might break right in front of him. And | refuse to give Alex King that satisfaction.
"Athena?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, what did you say?" | turn to face my mother in law.
She smiles warmly before speaking, "I was asking if you want to have a baby shower."
| blink at her, caught off guard. A baby shower?
It's something | should have thought about, something most women probably look forward to.
But lately, all my energy has gone into just getting through the day. The idea of celebrating, of pretending
everything is fine when my husband won't even look atproperly feels almost foreign.
Still, Ariana is trying. She's one of the few people who genuinely cares about me, and | don't want to disappoint
her.
"I... I don't know," | admit honestly, placing a hand on my belly. "I haven't really thought about it."
Ariana's eyes soften as she reaches over, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "That's understandable, sweetheart.
But you deserve to be celebrated. This baby deserves to be celebrated."
I nod slowly, biting the inside of my cheek. "I guess it wouldn't hurt."
Ariana grins, excitement lighting up her face. That's the spirit! I'll talk to Sloane we'll put something together.
Nothing too big, just close family. Is there anyone you'd want to invite?" She asks, and | freeze.
| haven't spoken to my aunt since | got married only send her money without speaking to her. Honestly, i'm still
kind of angry at her. She almost took everything my parents left for me. If | hadn't acted fast. | would have lost
our family house too. Sw
"Just my friend Mira." | curve my lips into a smile.
Ariana nods as she places the rest of the baby clothes into the boot. Normally, she wouldn't touch a thing. This
family has someone for everything, but today, she insisted on doing everything herself, including carrying the
shopping bags.
"Cone honey, let's go feed you while we talk about that baby shower."
| force a smile and nod, letting her guidetoward the car.
The thought of a baby shower still feels surreal, like something meant for someone else, someone happier,
someone with a husband who actually wants to be there.
But Ariana is trying, and for that, I'll try too.
We settle into the car, and as we drive to a small, quiet café she likes, | watch the world blur past outside. A part
ofwonders if Alex even noticed | was gone if he thinks aboutthe way | think about him.
| know he loves our child. Sometimes, it's his love for our unborn child that keeps
| was with Nana two days ago, and she, too, has been so thrilled. | bet she's been counting down every second.
Ariana orders for both of us, insisting | need to eat properly.
| let her because | feel too drained to argue. The moment the waiter walks away,
she turns towith that soft but determined look in her eyes.
"You know, sweetheart, you don't have to pretend with me."
I blink at her, startled. "What?"
She reaches across the table, taking my hand in hers. "You're hurting. And | can
see it."
My throat tightens. "Mum, I-"
She shakes her head. "I know my son, Athena. And | know he's been shutting you out."
| let out a hollow laugh, looking away. "That's an understatement."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Ariana sighs, rubbing slow circles over my hand. "He's stubborn, just like his father. But he's also scared. And
when Alex is scared, he pushes people away."
| clench my jaw. "Well, he's doing a damn good job."
Her eyes search mine, "You love him, don't you?"
I swallow hard. "It doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does." She squeezes my hand. "Because | know he loves you too."
| laugh.
An actual laugh | haven't released in a while.
"We were together when he said-"
"I know what he said, but | also know how he truly feels. Call it a mother's
intuition."
"He loves Leah."
"I wouldn't call it love. | don't know why he's so fond of her. They grew up in the scircle but were never
friends. He never even said hi to her until suddenly, he introduced her as a woman he wanted to marry.
I've tried to ask why, but he had never opened up to me. I'm not giving excuses on his behalf, I'm just hoping
you'll understand the confusion going on in his head."
"| just don't understand why he's so uptight when he was raised by both parents
with a grandmother who loves him more than life itself."
| see a look of guilt on Ariana's face, and it makescurious.
Did | miss something.
As if to answer my question, she runs a hand through her hair.
"We are partly to blame."
| lean forward, so there is a reason why?
"What do you mean?" | ask.
Ariana sighs, "Well, you see.."
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
