Athena’s gaze fixed on him, and her voice trembled with a quiet plea. “Will you come back?”
Emmett’s heart skipped a beat at the weight of her question. He forced a smile, the lie slipping off his tongue. “I’ll definitely come back. Wait for me, okay?”
Without another word, he rushed out of the room, his hurried steps echoing in the silence.
Athena sat on the edge of the bed, the minutes dragging on like hours. She waited from midnight until 3 a.m. with the same emptiness swelling in her chest.
But Emmett didn’t come home.
As the night wore on, Athena’s phone buzzed with more photos from Aliana, pictures that felt like daggers, flaunting her victory.
Unshaken, Athena stood, her movements steady as she collected every memento Emmett had ever given her: letters, jewelry, property deeds, car titles, and even her own identification documents. She carried them to the balcony, each piece heavy with memories she was ready to burn.
Staring at the pile, Athena’s lips trembled ever so slightly, her eyes clouded with confusion and helpless sorrow.
Her mind drifted back to that summer five years ago, to the moment Emmett confessed his love to her, making her a promise that now felt like a cruel joke.
“Born in early summer, die in early summer.”
A lifetime together, bound by the warmth of their youth.
But now, Athena’s lips curled into a cold smile as she lit the lighter. She watched as the flames danced, consuming everything in their path. With the fire, the promises of their youth turned to ash, as fragile and fleeting as the love they once shared.
The next morning, Athena stood at the airport, clutching the stack of documents the agent had prepared for her.
Her gaze was steady, the uncertainty of the past fading behind her. She was ready to board the earliest international flight to Finland, leaving behind the dream of England she had once held so tightly.
She hadn’t bothered to contact the makeup team, nor had she picked up her wedding dress. The irony wasn’t lost on her; everyone, including Emmett, still believed she was consumed by preparations to become the most beautiful bride.
Just before boarding, Athena’s phone rang. It was Emmett.
“Athena, there’s still an issue at work. The wedding might need to be postponed a little. Can you wait for me?”