59. Another shade of Athena

Dante's POV

I've searched all the rooms in the house I didn't find her.

I walked past the room where I found Cosmo earlier and realized the door was now shut.

"Athena, is that you?" I called out.

I knew I had wronged her but I was ready to rewrite my wrongs.

I banged on it severally but there was no answer.

I broke the handle, and hit the door until it budged open.

There she was, kneeling on the floor with her face buried in the dampened sheets.

I was a terrible person and as much as I wanted her to remain in my life, I was ready to let her go.

She deserved someone better.

"Athena..." I whispered, moving gently toward her. I felt ashamed to even look her in the eyes.

"At some point I thought you ran away from me, leaving Cosmo behind. I would have understood if you did. All I ever brought you was pain," I spoke softly, fighting back my tears, my tone betraying my effort to conceal the tears.

"Hate me all you want. Leave if you have to. I want you to know that I will always protect you