Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife The Twins Are Not Yours novel Chapter 470

Chapter 470: Hurt, Again II

Antonio didn’t think he’d done anything wrong. Not truly.

He stood frozen where Athena had left him—in the middle of the smaller living room, the engagement ring gleaming faintly on the table under the soft amber light. The faint hum of the refrigerator nearby was the only sound left in the house.

He stared at that ring, at the empty space she’d left behind, and all he could think was how ungrateful she was.

He’d done everything for her.

He’d given her a home, stability, affection, attention—things she’d been starved of for years. He’d loved her openly when the rest of the world whispered behind her back. He’d fought for her name to be cleared when her ex-husband had dragged her reputation through the mud. And now, now she was leaving because of what?

Because of love?

She had thrown the ring away without a second thought. Just like that. Like it meant nothing.

He clenched his fists, chest rising and falling too fast. "Selfish," he muttered, pacing across the room. "She’s selfish. She doesn’t even see how much I’ve done for her."

In his mind, everything he’d done made sense. If she got pregnant, she’d stop doubting him, stop running to her past, stop clinging to the idea that she could have a life separate from him.

A child together would anchor her—make her his for good. That wasn’t cruelty; that was devotion.

He ran both hands through his hair, exhaling sharply. Maybe she was just in shock. Maybe tomorrow she’d come around. She always did.

When the front door clicked open, Antonio turned sharply and marched away from the space into the living room, intent on explaining his intentions again, on making her see reason.

He couldn’t let her leave. Not like this.

"Athena—"

She didn’t stop.

He reached out instinctively, grabbing her wrist. Not roughly at first, just enough to halt her. "Wait. Don’t walk away from me like this."

Her body went rigid, and when she turned to him, her eyes were cold, warning. "Let me go, Antonio."

"You’re overreacting—"

"I said let go." Her tone cut through the air like a blade.

But Antonio’s pride was louder than reason. "Why, Athena?" he demanded, his grip tightening on Athena’s arm painfully. "Why are you acting like I’m the enemy? I love you. Everything I do, I do because I love you."

"Love?" Athena scoffed. "This is no love."

He growled, pulling her roughly, such that she smacked against his chest. "How dare you? Who do you think you are?"

Athena was too nonplussed to speak, too shocked to acknowledge the pain throbbing her arms, her head.

What was going on? She wondered, meeting Antonio’s heated glare.

Something dark flashed in his gaze then—a flicker of menace that even he didn’t recognize until he saw the fear in her eyes. The fear that made her step back the instant he loosened his hold.

"I— I didn’t mean to..." His voice broke. He reached for her again, but she’d already pulled her hand away, cradling it against her chest as if it burned.

"Don’t," she whispered.

And just like that, something in him cracked. The heat drained from his face, replaced by a desperate calm. "I’m sorry," he said quickly, voice trembling. "I didn’t mean to scare you. I just— I can’t lose you, Athena. I can’t."

But she was already gone.

–

Athena didn’t remember much of the walk to the street—only the rush of cool air on her face, the quick rhythm of her heartbeat, and the heavy tremor still lingering in her wrist where he’d gripped her. She flagged a cab by instinct; there hadn’t been time to call Rodney.

Inside, the air smelled faintly of old leather and peppermint. The city lights blurred past the window as she sank back into the seat, her mind a storm of disbelief.

Pregnant.

I need you to run a background check on Antonio. Everything. I don’t care if it’s intrusive.

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