Page 55 of Modern Romance Collection March 2025 (1-4)

And he’d finally pushed her and himself to the point where they both had to accept that was impossible. The mistakes he’d made—from childhood on—defined him. Were unforgivable. And he realized fully in this moment, knowing she was gone, that he’d still held out a small kernel of hope that there was forgiveness, absolution to be found.

More fool him.

Eventually he got himself together enough to return to his room, get dressed appropriately, and then texted his assistant to meet him in his library.

There were things that needed to be done, and as much as he might have been happy to let it all go, let it all explode in his face, he would rather go handle his business than sit in his room feeling sorry for himself.

Plenty of time for that later. With a bottle of Scotch to drown it all out.

He went into his library, found himself inexplicably caught in the memory of the way Lynna had swept in their first night here while he’d faced off with Constantine and been…perfect.

Beautiful and savvy, and even though he’d made the mistake of physically lashing out at his father, she had only taken it in stride.

The way she took so much. Too much, likely. Piled on her own shoulders, and he knew better than to want to take the weight off her shoulders. It was there because she wanted it to be.

But he liked to think, sometimes, he’d distracted her from it. Relieved her of it for a time.

What a fictional world you’ve created for yourself, he thought sourly, skirting his desk and sitting down behind it. He’d left most of his belongings at the office, and that was where he should be now, but how could he face it?

When Niko entered, Athan leaped into orders immediately. The sooner he tied up any loose ends, the sooner he could go drink himself into oblivion.

“I will need you to cancel tonight’s dinner. Also, set up a meeting with Ophelia here when she has a moment. Lastly—”

Christos appeared in the doorway. Instead of the normal blank expression, he appeared harried. “Mr. Akakios—”

But a blustering young man pushed past the butler, marching right toward Athan, blue eyes flashing. His security would have intervened, but there was something about the man that had Athan standing as he waved off anyone on his staff who was poised to act on his behalf.

Even as the man—boy?—reared back and punched Athan square in the jaw. “Where is she?” he demanded.

It took a few moments to fully recognize his assailant, to put him in the context of everything that was happening.

“Rhys.” Athan rubbed his jaw. It had been a solid blow. He’d likely had some boxing practice.

Lynna’s brother. All grown-up—or close to it. Nineteen and rangy, angry and determined.

But that did not explain his sudden appearance. “Well, this is quite the unannounced visit.”

“Where is she?” Rhys demanded again, his fists still clenched like he might punch again. “Get my sister in here immediately.”

“She’s gone.” Athan touched his finger to his lip. It came back with a smudge of blood. Fascinating.

“What the hell does that mean?”

Athan studied the youth, trying to make sense of what was happening. Then he decidedsensedidn’t matter. Why not just lead with the truth.

He was done playing all these foolish Akakios games. He just wanted some…reality.

“Well, she’d had enough of me, and she left. I assume back to London, though it’s possible she went to see your mother. She was upset.”

“Then she would not have gone to Mother,” Rhys muttered. He paced the entry, a whirlwind of energy and emotion.

“While I’ll admit most blows are only my due, to what do I owe the pleasure of this one?”

Rhys whirled on him. “How could you marry her? How could you involve her in any more Akakios bullshit? I don’t know what she was thinking.”

Athan could not quite follow. “That was weeks ago.”

“Yes, and apparently my mother and Lynna did everything they could to hide it from me. I’ve been busy with exams, but once I heard… What was she thinking?”

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