22#22

22

"How could you?!" Aliana cried out, her voice trembling with shock. "I thought you said you didn't care for her!"

Aliana clutched Emmett's hand tighter, her eyes pleading. "What about us? The baby? What will happen if she returns?"

Emmett gazed at her, his heart a whirlwind of mixed feelings. "There's no rivalry between you two."

He struggled to articulate his emotions for Athena, but it felt as if a part of his being had disappeared along with her.

For so long, Athena had cherished him deeply, sincerely. Yet, despite everything, he couldn't accept that she would abandon him forever.

No, Athena must come back. She had to. If she didn't return on her own, Emmett promised himself he would search for her.

Emmett had never paid much attention to Athena's social circle, so when he attempted to contact her friends for information, he met with disappointment at every attempt.