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As we walk into the house, Ares slings his arm over my shoulder. “Baby, I missed you. I’m so glad you’re back.”
My heart aches for him, ripping a little more with his words. How can I be falling for a man who killed my father? He came into my house with the intent of tricking me.
So did Apollo and Atlas.
It was all a game.
I hate them.
“I’m not back.” I shove his arm off me. “You betrayed me, Ares. I will never forgive you for this.”
“Give it time,” he insists, trying to reach for my hand, but as our fingers brush, I pull away. “You’ll see that I’m not the bad guy.”
I follow Athena as she leads the pack into the sitting room. Atlas and Apollo are at her sides, the dutiful sons doing whatever Mommy wants.
I’m so stupid.
I thought they were mine, but they were always Athena’s. They were only here to fuck with my head and make me compliant. I wouldn't be here if not for my feelings for Ares. I would have shot him, got in the car, and returned to my uncle’s house.
Athena points at the couch, flashing perfectly white teeth as she smiles at me. “You should sit for this, Ophelia. What I have to say is not pleasant.”
I smirk. “Nothing with you ever is, Athena.”
“Sweetheart.” Her nose scrunches, and she blows out a deep breath. “I’m not a monster. You might think I am, but I assure you everything I have done is for a reason.”
I sit on the couch beside Ares, glaring at my stepmother from hell. “The villain always thinks they’re doing the right thing. There’s nothing you can say to prove you’re not pure fucking evil.”
Athena sighs, shaking her head. “I’m not the villain here. That role goes to your father.” She strolls over to the table and grabs her purse. “I only married your dad to get even.” Digging through the contents of her Mary Poppins bag, filled with a little of everything, she pulls out an envelope. “Your mother wanted you to have this. She thought it was time you know the truth about your family.”
Apollo leans against the wooden bar on the right side of the room and pours five drinks. He hands two highball glasses to Atlas and then crosses the room with the other three. He offers one to Athena first, Ares, and then me.
I stare at him.
Blink.
“It’s not poisoned, Mistress.” He nudges the glass at me. “Drink. It will help calm your nerves.”
I watch him pour the whiskey from my father’s stash so I know it’s okay to drink. But still, I’m highly suspicious of him and wouldn’t put anything past any of them.
The first time we met, red flags went off in my brain at one glimpse of Apollo’s mischievous smirks. I knew better than to trust him and Ares most of all.
I’m such an idiot.
So weak and pathetic.
They played me.
I taste the whiskey, and then Apollo drinks from his glass, raising it as if he’s ready to toast. If he does, I might kill him.
Ares places his hand on my knee and squeezes. I used to hate it when he touched my legs. It made me all too aware of how much I hate my body. But because of Ares and his brothers, I’m not the same insecure girl. I feel stronger with them, so I overlooked their deception.
I never saw this coming.
Athena hands me a pink envelope. “This might change your mind about my sons and me. We’re only here because your mother made it so. She was my closest friend, like a sister. And on her deathbed, she had one wish.”
I can smell Mom’s perfume on the paper. The scent is faint, but there’s no mistaking the hint of honey in her favorite Jo Malone scent.
My eyes water when I read my name on the envelope in my mother’s handwriting.
