Athena Tyler is an Italian-American musician who rose to fame as the lead singer of a girl band with her sisters, called 'Sorelle'. She has amassed millions of dollars and now lives alone in a luxurious mansion. Although she no longer sings, she has...
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Athena was lying in the bed, her eyes wide with surprise and fear as she saw Michael. She looked different, somehow smaller and more fragile than he remembered. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and there were bruises on her face and arms that he knew she couldn't have gotten from a mere fall.
As he slowly made his way to her, he slipped his hand onto her shoulder, causing her to flinch and turn her head, clearly relieved to see it was her husband.
She looked up at him with a mixture of relief and apprehension, "Michael," she murmured, her voice hoarse and strained, "What are you doing here? How did you—?"
"I had to come, Athena," Michael replied, his voice tender yet filled with unspoken anguish, "I couldn't bear to be away from you, especially in a time like this. I need to know you're okay, that you're safe," he paused, "Now, Finn says you're refusing a rape kit."
Athena's gaze dropped to her hands clasped tightly in her lap, fingers fidgeting nervously. She struggled to find the right words, her voice barely above a whisper, "I just don't think it's necessary. I don't want to."
Michael's heart clenched at the raw vulnerability in her voice. He knelt beside her, gently taking her hands in his, "Athena, you don't have to do anything you're not ready for. But please know that I'm here for you. Always."
"I didn't want you to know."
"I know," Michael said softly, squeezing her hand gently, "But why, baby?"
"I felt dirty and violated, and I couldn't bear the thought of disappointing you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, "I guess I thought you would consider it cheating."
Michael's heart shattered at her words. How could she ever think he would blame her for such a horrifying ordeal? Silently cursing whoever had hurt his beloved Athena, he leaned in closer, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.
"Athena, baby," he whispered, his voice filled with raw emotion, "I could never, ever think that. You are the most precious thing in my life—I know you, baby, and I know your heart. What happened to you was not your fault, and it certainly wasn't cheating."
Athena gazed up at him, tears spilling down her cheeks as she finally allowed herself to lean into his embrace, "I'm sorry. I didn't want it, I'm sorry, Michael."
"Shhh, it's not your fault, Athena," Michael murmured, wrapping his arms around her gently, "I'm here, baby. Right here. I love you."
It took about ten minutes of Athena trembling in Michael's arms for her to regain her composure.
When she did, she quietly sniffled and looked up at him, "Can we go home?"
"Did you get your discharge papers?"
"Yeah," Athena nodded, wiping her eyes with her sleeve as she used her other arm to reach for the clipboard, "Right here."
Michael took the clipboard from her, his heart aching at the sight of her trying to be strong despite the obvious pain she was in. Checking the papers, he confirmed everything was in order for her release.
