Athena's sharp words landed like a slap across Antonio's face, leaving him stunned in the quiet night air.
Go home.
She hadn't yelled, she hadn't raised her voice, but the steel laced within her tone carried more sting than a thousand shouts could.
Antonio stood frozen, unable to believe she had dismissed him so easily. His lips parted slightly, but no words came at first. His brows furrowed, drawing together in confusion as the sting of rejection settled into his chest.
His jaw shifted, clenching once, then again, as though grinding down all the words he wanted to spit out but couldn't.
The turmoil inside him was violent. Didn't she see? Didn't she remember? He had been there when Ewan had tried to destroy her. He had stood in court by her side, had been with her those years ago when her strength faltered, carrying the weight of her battles even when it wasn't his to bear.
