"Gael..." Athena mumbled his na. She didn’t know how she would respond to Gael’s confession.
But Gael could tell that Athena was still shocked.
"I didn’t an to make you feel uncomfortable. But I hope nothing will change between us. I’m still Gael... your best friend." He didn’t want to put pressure on Athena.
She lowered her gaze, finding the right words to say.
"Athena, please look at ," he softly said, lifting her chin.
Confusion could be seen in her eyes.
Gael took a deep sigh. He wasn’t used to seeing Athena like this. This was one of the reasons why he kept his feelings for her.
’With her expression alone, I know she can’t reciprocate my feelings.’ Gael thought to himself, smiling sadly.
"Do you already have soone in your heart, Sab?" He asked her. The question just ca out of his mouth naturally. He just wanted to know if he was too late.
Athena had conflicting thoughts in mind. ’I don’t want to hurt Gael. But I can’t lie to him.’
After God knows how long, Athena finally nodded her head.
Gael fell silent for a mont. His heart shattered at her response. "I guess... I am too late again."
He tried to laugh but sadness was evident in his eyes.
"Do I know him? Is the person in your heart right now..." Gael couldn’t finish his words. He already had soone in mind.
Athena lowered her gaze once again before responding, "It’s Vladimir."
"I’m good. As long as it’s not Dominique."
Athena’s heart skipped a beat at the ntion of Dominique’s na. She imdiately shook her head. "Of course. It wouldn’t be Dominique. I’ve learned my lesson. My relationship with him is purely part of my revenge."
Her words seed like a reminder to herself. She convinced herself that she felt nothing for Dominique. She had loved him once. But he broke her heart. She wouldn’t be a fool to fall in love with him... again. That’s what she thought.
"Are you happy with Vladimir?" Gael asked her again. He wanted to hear it from Athena.
"I... think so," she replied with uncertainty. "Vladimir is different from Dominique. He won’t betray ."
Gael nodded in understanding. "I know. I’ve t him. So I could tell that he is soone dependable. And he is also very protective of you. I am at ease now. Even if I’m not the man you choose to love, I want you to know that I’m just here for you... whenever you need ."
"Thanks, Gael..." After saying that, Athena hugged him tightly. "I’m so sorry. I don’t want to hurt your feelings. I hurt you unintentionally. Forgive , Gael."
"You don’t have to apologize to . I chose to love you. It’s my own decision. You are not obligated to reciprocate my feelings. I will be fine." Gael reassured her.
"I can easily move on," he added jokingly to lighten the mood. He tried his best to conceal the pain of her rejection.
"All I want to see... is for you to be happy... with the right person." Gael gently stroked her hair.
"Thanks, Gael."
Their mont was interrupted by the sound of Athena’s ringing tone. Lanny was calling her.
"It’s Lanny. Let answer this," Athena said, breaking the hug.
Gael just nodded, letting her answer her phone. He just stood silently by her side.
"Hello, Lanny?"
"Athena, where are you? You have to watch the live press con. Dominique and Sasha prepared a press con today to give their statent regarding your scandal." Lanny inford her with urgency.
Gael overheard their conversation. Without further ado, he switched on the television in his living room. He searched the channel that was covering Dominique’s live press con.
Athena and Gael sat down on the couch as they focused on the television. The press conference had just started. There were lots of reporters from different dia companies who attended the press con. Everyone was dying to hear Dominique and Sasha’s statent.
Sasha was the one talking with the microphone. They were surrounded by reporters.
"My husband and I are here to give a statent regarding the scandal circulating on social dia."
Everyone listened to her attentively. Reporters were not yet allowed to raise so questions. The married couple had to speak first. Sasha would give them a cue if it was the reporter’s turn to ask a question.
"To those who don’t know yet... Athena is our friend. She is also an endorser of our mystery jewel. We’ve known each other for a month. And we got closer to each other."
"The affair between Athena and my husband is just a baseless rumor. It’s fake. Soone is jealous of Athena’s fa. They are using my husband to ruin Athena’s reputation. So please, don’t believe the fake news!"
Dominique was silent, allowing Sasha to speak her mind. He cooperated with her because he wanted to clear Athena’s na and protect her reputation. He didn’t want her to be branded as a mistress.
"My husband and I will take legal action for this defamation." Sasha declared to them. "We will sue everyone responsible for this! You know who you are. So be ready to see us in court." She threatened the people circulating the stolen photos of Dominique and Athena.
After she spoke, she allowed the reporters to ask so questions. Then she looked at Dominique aningfully, urging him to cooperate and answer those questions well.
One reporter asked Dominique. "Mr. Smith, what can you say about this issue?"
Dominique hadn’t spoken yet so the reporters were dying to hear his own opinion and statent regarding the scandal.
He gazed at the cara as he took the microphone. With a serious expression on his face, Dominique only said four words with emphasis. "I Love My Wife."
Athena clenched her fists when she heard those words from Dominique. ’Such a liar! A hypocrite!’
But little did she know, the wife Dominique was referring to in his interview was not Sasha... He was referring to her– Sabrina Williams.
Then another reporter raised the second question.
"Mr. and Mrs. Smith... I’m sorry to say this. But... soone is telling us that Mrs. Smith is infertile, that’s why you cheated on her. In the four years of your marriage, she couldn’t bear your child. How true is this?"
At this mont, Sasha took the microphone from Dominique as she decided to answer this question. She held her head high as she declared to them. "It’s not true! My husband loves so much. He won’t cheat on . Furthermore, that won’t be a reason to betray because I’m not infertile. In fact, I’m here to share the good news."
"I’m pregnant!" She declared proudly. "With our first baby!"
Everyone gasped upon hearing that. Murmuring could be heard in the venue.
"Don’t worry. I’m here to give you proof." Sasha picked up sothing inside her bag. It was a docunt– the result of her pregnancy test!
"OMG! It’s true. Mrs. Smith is pregnant! We should congratulate them!" One reporter exclaid excitedly.
"So please, stop spreading false rumors. Don’t destroy my family. Dominique and I are having our first baby! I’ll protect our family."
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