Her Unwanted Marriage | MikhAiah

Chapter 22

Gideon's POV

I stood by the window of the hospital room, my eyes fixed on Athena as she lay on the bed, awake but… different. She was sitting up, her gaze wandering aimlessly around the room, her expression a mix of confusion and calm.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. This wasn't how I imagined this moment would go. For months, we had prayed for her to wake up, and now that she had, things felt more complicated than ever.

The door creaked open, and Caius entered. Her expression was guarded, but I could see the storm brewing behind her eyes. She closed the door behind her and walked closer, her steps hesitant.

"She's awake," I said, breaking the silence.

Caius stopped a few feet away from Athena's bed, her eyes glued to her. "How is she?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I hesitated before answering. "She's… awake. But she doesn't remember anything, Caius. Not me. Not you. Not even herself."

Caius's face fell, and she took a step closer to Athena, who looked at her with a polite but distant curiosity. "Athena?" she said softly, her voice trembling.

She tilted her head, studying her like she was a stranger. "Do I… know you?" she asked politely.

The question hit Caius like a blow, and I could see her visibly recoil. She tried to mask it, but I knew her too well. "I'm Caius, I'm your girlfriend." she said gently, her tone pleading. "Do you really not remember anything?"

Athena gave her a small, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry… I don't."

Caius lowered herself into the chair by her bed, her head bowed. For a moment, the room was silent, the weight of the situation pressing down on all of us.

I cleared my throat, breaking the tension. "Caius, I need to talk to you."

She looked up at me, her eyes glassy. "What?"

I motioned for her to step outside with me. Reluctantly, she stood and followed me into the hallway. Once the door was closed, I turned to face her.

"Listen," I began, my tone firm. "Athena waking up is a second chance—not just for her, but for you too."

Caius frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I mean," I said, my voice hardening. "You've been chasing after Aiah, Caius. You've been trying to take her from Mikhael. But now that Athena is awake, maybe it's time for you to let go of what's not yours."

She bristled at my words. "I'm not—"

"Don't lie to me," I interrupted, my gaze piercing. "I've seen the way you look at Aiah. I've heard the way you talk about her. You want her, Caius. But she's not yours. She's Mikhael's wife."

She clenched her fists, her jaw tightening. "I know she's Mikhael's wife," she snapped. "But that doesn't mean—"

"Enough," I said sharply. "Athena is awake now. She needs you. Focus on her, Caius. Stop chasing someone who is already married. You can't have both."