He Thought He Could Let Her Go, Until She Left

Athena felt a sharp ache pierce her chest, but she willed herself to stay composed. Suppressing the storm brewing within, she confirmed the flight details and clicked the purchase button without hesitation.

With that task completed, one final matter of importance remained.

Hailing a cab, Athena made her way to the Davidson family cemetery.

Her parents had once been devoted servants of the Davidson household. Over a decade ago, in a tragic turn of events, they had sacrificed their lives to save Emmett from drowning. Their loyalty had moved Azrael Davidson deeply, leading him to honor them with a place in the family cemetery and ensure that their orphaned daughter was raised with the utmost care.

Athena placed a bouquet of chrysanthemums gently before the tombstone, her trembling fingers brushing the petals as if seeking comfort.

“Mom, Dad, you always said Emmett was a good boy, the only one in the Davidson family who would protect me,” she murmured, her voice cracking. “But why… why was it him who hurt me the most?”

“He said he loved me more than anyone else. Then why did he betray me?”

“Mom, Dad, I have nothing left now.”

The floodgates of her sorrow opened, and Athena broke down, her sobs echoing in the stillness of the cemetery.

Her mind drifted to the days after her parents' death, a time when despair had consumed her. Night after night, she had cried herself to sleep, her small body ravaged by relentless fevers that no one could ease.

Emmett, torn by guilt and anguish, stayed by Athena’s bedside every night, his words heavy with remorse.

“I’m sorry, Athena… It’s all my fault,” he whispered, his voice thick with sorrow.

“Athena, please get better. You’re all the family they left behind.”

“I’ll protect you from now on, okay? You’re my family now.”

“My life belongs to you.”

From that moment, Emmett took on the role of her protector, her older brother, and she let herself believe him.

Then, in the warmth of early summer after graduation, he held her hand, making a promise to give her a beautiful future.

At first, Athena believed him completely. She trusted him with all her heart.

But as time passed, something in Emmett began to change.

The first hint of doubt crept into her mind the day she tried on her wedding dress.

In the car, Emmett refused countless phone calls before eventually powering off his phone completely.

Embarrassed, he tried to brush it off. “It’s just my assistant, Athena. She’s been pestering me about the smallest things. I’ll give her a piece of my mind when we get back!”

Ever gentle, Athena reassured him with a soft smile before heading off to try on the wedding dress.

A year ago, Emmett spared no expense in custom-making the dress abroad. When Athena slipped it on, she looked every bit the image of purity and grace. But when she stepped out of the fitting room, Emmett wasn’t there.

The room had been reserved just for them, leaving the space eerily empty. When she couldn’t reach him, Athena wandered the building, confusion building with every step, until she rounded a corner and froze.

Not far off, Emmett was holding another woman’s hand, his voice pleading, his tone submissive. The woman seemed emotional, brushing off his attempts to hold her.

But Emmett didn’t relent; he pulled her into his arms and leaned in for a kiss. In the dim corner of the bridal shop, the two were consumed by their passion, oblivious to the world around them.

Athena watched in stunned silence as though the very earth had been ripped from beneath her. It felt as though she had been thrown into the flames, her heart burning with a pain so fierce it was unbearable.

The man who had once promised to love her more than life itself was the one who had torn her apart.

Athena pressed a hand to her chest, her breath coming in gasps as tears blurred her vision, flooding down her cheeks.

By the time Emmett returned, Athena had collected herself. He didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. Seeing her standing there, so stunning, he was moved, walking over to wrap her tightly in his arms.

“Athena, you look breathtaking.”

Emmett buried his face in her shoulder, his lips grazing her earlobe, his voice a soft, seductive whisper. “My Athena is the most beautiful bride. I just want to make you mine, right here, right now.”

As Athena gazed at their reflection in the mirror, her heart sank. The sorrow in her eyes mirrored the emptiness she felt inside.