The Devil CEO's Contract Wife - Chapter 252: Pain & Guilt

Chapter 252: Pain & Guilt

“Athena?” I said softly when she was yet to say a word for over a minute.

She took her hand away from my hold, and I felt that maybe I shouldn’t have asked that question. It was as if something had been unlocked, and the once brightened Athena turned gloomy.

“Why did you come to me with this?”

“I thought—”

“Of course you thought…” She chuckled, but the sound was weak and lifeless.

Silence lingered, so loud I could hear my inner thoughts. Athena’s eyes had turned distant, and I wasn’t sure she was looking at me right now.

“Ares is yet to tell you,” she began in a murmur.

“I-Is he meant to tell me something?”

She forced a sad smile. “He has to because that is the way he would…” Her words paused as speaking about it further was too much.

“He would… what?” I asked softly, with pleading, because I needed to understand why something like that was a crucial part of his life.

Was he so ingrained in his pattern that he couldn’t deviate from it? Why can’t he? What was the reason? I get he had changed, but there was still something holding him back.

“It’s not my place, my sweet Cat.”

Her words were like a hole in my heart, killing all chances I had with her.

But then a thought crossed my mind.

Does this have to do with what Agatha told me years ago? Weren’t they all lies? Or was there an atom of truth to it?

I can’t conclude, and that was the last thing I needed to do.

“What about you, Cat?”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t need to open your brain to tell you’re struggling with something too.”

“I-I’m not struggling.”

“I’m sure you’re not. Well, whatever it is… if it has to do with you running away… You did the right thing.”

“W-What?” I questioned in shock.

“My brother wouldn’t have had a reality check slapped on his face, and he probably wouldn’t have realized anything because of that stone heart of his. Ares has always been more difficult than I. His patterns and the things he does to ground himself…” Her mind wandered again, but it was back the next second. “The absence of you transformed him.”

I want to agree with her truly, but I don’t think anything would ever erase this… guilt.

“Thank you, Athena… but you don’t need to say something like that…”

“Call me biased, but I meant what I said. You don’t have to agree with me.”

I cleared my throat. “Still need your nails done?”

“I’m sleepy now.”

“Sure…!” I stood and turned away to leave, but paused, sparing a look at Athena. “You are not as crazy as you were years ago. Well, maybe you still are, but I’m starting to warm up to it, a little bit.”

Her eyes widened. “That is the nicest shit you have ever said to me!”

“Don’t count on this nice shit happening again.” I closed the door behind me, lost in thought for a while before I found my way back to the lounge.

I heard giggles and voices that sounded like mine. I narrowed my eyes, standing at the point I was last time.

The laptop screen darkened and brightened as if he was watching a video, and when I heard more sounds from it, I realized what.

A squeeze found my chest, almost getting to the point where I couldn’t breathe. He’s watching Esme’s videos, possibly the same ones I recorded over the years.

The lingering smile on his lips said it all, and how his eyes moved with every motion, soft and focused.

I thought he was working the entire time, but I was wrong.

Something cold ran down my face, and when I used my hand to check, I realized it was a tear. I pressed my hand on my mouth as I turned away, pressing my back against the wall.

I sobbed quietly, trying to stop the tears. It hit so hard that I wasn’t sure I could quiet down anymore, so I walked back to Esme’s suite, just opening the door a little bit, and found her sleeping, clenching her teddy tightly.

~☆~

The drive to the farm was a quiet one. I haven’t said a word ever since we arrived at Rosevale. I’m still struck by last night and barely got a wink of sleep.

I turned to my side. Esme was seated in the middle, her head resting on Ares’ arm.

Esme’s birthday was in two days, and I was glad we could make it on time. Gramps and Granny were already aware we were coming… I called him earlier. I haven’t had the heart to tell him about Ares.

When the car stopped, Esme was the first to get out. I watched from the window as she ran a great deal into Gramps’ arms, who waited outside along with Granny.

I have pictured this moment so much that seeing it happen, I was almost in tears, but as quickly as the joy came, it faded.

“I think it’s best you wait here…” I said, not meeting Ares’ gaze. “I haven’t told them you were coming. I’ll um… ease them into it.”

When I didn’t get any reply, I got out of the car, closing the door. Granny covered her mouth, bursting into tears when she saw me, and I increased my pace on time to hug her tightly.

“Oh, peanut..” she sobbed. “You’re back.”

I nodded. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to—”

She shook her head before cupping my cheeks. “No, my dear… there’s no need to apologize. You’re here now, that’s all that matters.”

Gramps set Esme down, and she ran into Granny’s arms.

“Look at you, are you taller?”

“Yes!”

“Gramps…” I said, and he got teary-eyed, hugging me.

“I know I’m not supposed to ask this, but… that car looks pretty expensive. Is running a diner such a big pay?”

I giggled, but the sound died down too quickly.

“Actually, Gramps, it’s um…”

His eyes moved behind fast, and his smile faded. Blinking, I turned and froze as Ares came closer.

I told him to wait!

“Gramps…!”

He stepped in front of me.

“You have to have some nerve showing your face here.”

“Walt…” Granny tried to calm him down. “Not in front of Esme.”

“Gramps, please…”

“Mr. Lane…” Ares’s voice grabbed our attention. “Mrs. Lane. I’d like to ask for your blessing…”

“B-Blessing?” Gramps stuttered.

I just gaped at him in confusion until Ares opened that mouth of his.

“Yes… to bless our marriage.”

WHAT THE FUCK?!