Chapter 29

** Bargains and Realms**

Athena Pov.

By the time I finally clocked out of work, the sun was already dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. My feet ached, my back hurt, and I had a headache that throbbed right behind my eyes—thanks to Joe and his never-ending demands. But at least I was free for the day, and that was enough to put a little spring in my step as I headed toward the old corner store.

It had become a routine, almost muscle memory at this point: work a long shift, dodge Joe's wandering hands, and then hit up the store for whatever discounts I could scrounge up. The thought of my parents emptying the fridge—again—was a constant, nagging presence in the back of my mind. I could already picture the scene: a couple of beer cans rolling around in the empty fridge, maybe a stale loaf of bread if I was lucky. Definitely a déjà vu moment.