Daren:
As I stepped through the front door, the heated exchange between Rochelle and Athena immediately caught my attention. A palpable tension hung in the air, but as soon as they spotted me in the living room, they fell silent. Rochelle hurriedly disappeared up the staircase, leaving me with Athena, who stared at me as if she had seen a ghost.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, concern evident in my voice.
Athena tried to force a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She nodded hesitantly. It was clear something was amiss, but I debated whether to pry further or respect her need for privacy.
“Athena,” I said softly, moving closer to her.
She sighed, taking a seat, and I knelt beside her, gently taking her hand. I pressed a kiss to it, my gaze locked with her uncertain eyes. She pro
