But I needed to stay strong for Athena. I would grieve after I made sure she was okay. I helped change her out of her hospital gown and into my dress shirt. She was facing me, looking down, as I tied her hair up into the neatest bun I could.
"Butterfly?" I said when she kept her head down. "Look at me." I tilted her head up by her chin and as soon as her eyes landed on me they became glossy.
"I'm sorry. I'm so f*****g sorry, Alessandro. Please don't hate me I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't mean for any of it to happen." She cried, putting her forehead on my bare chest. "Please..."
I stroked her back and blinked back any tears. "Athena, I need you to hear me when I say this." I pulled her head back so she could look at me, my hands cupping her face and wiping at her tears
