Chapter 2:
Zeus stormed back in, jaw clenched tight, grabbed my hand like he was ready to burn the whole damn place down
“We’re leaving!” he said.
“Zeus-” his Dad roared, “Walk out that door and you’re done. Don’t expect a dime. Don’t call. Don’t even think about this family ever again!”
He froze at the door for just a second. Then turned, grabbed the sad little cake from the table, and tossed it right at his feet!
“Then I disowned myself!” he growled
The streets outside were dead quiet snow crunching beneath our boots, Subway had stopped. Taxis were ghosts. We walked across the overpass to some budget hotel, wind scmaming through the city like it was trying to rip us apart}
All around us, windows glowed warm, like distant stars. But none of those lights were mine,
I kept my eyes on the sidewalk and whispered, “Let’s break up, Zeus”
He said nothing
“Zeus. I-‘
He yanked down his coat zipper, wrapped it around both of us, and pulled me into him. His arms locked tight around my waist like if he let go, I’d slip into the night
Then, quiet and fierce against my skin, he said:
“Savannah Smith, I swear on my name–fll give you a home. No matter what it costs me.”?
smiled bitterly.
When I got back to the apartment, he was passed out on the couch, snoring softly. The TV was still on–muted, casting blue shadows across his face. I tucked a blanket around him, careful not to wake him. He looked so damn peaceful it made my chest ache.
Peaceful–like he hadn’t shattered me just hours ago. His phone buzzed. Two unread messages.
Both from Zoraya.!!
“She made sure I got home safe, don’t worry Mr. Lambert!
“Goodnight, see you tomorrow!”
My hands shook. I told myself to let it go. That I was being paranoid. But my thumb didn’t listen.
It hovered. Then tapped. I scrolled up
“You left a mark on my thigh it’s still sore.”
“You liked it”
“Obviously. I was soaking through my underwear before you even touched me.”
And then the photo dropped in. Blurry. Low light. But unmistakable. Her on his desk. Hair messy. Bra pulled down. The corner of his nameplate visible in the background. Our office. The one we built.
A buzzing started in my ears
“Remember the way I moaned when you whispered my name?“!!
“Like music.“%
Then another line. Time–stamped. Same day I was curled up in bed, head splitting, shivering through a fever
“She’s sleeping. I told her not to come in today.”?
“Good. I want you to taste me without rushing this time, Zeus.”
And I just stopped. Tears slid down my face before I even realized I was crying. They dripped onto the phone screen. Onto her skin.
Onto his words.
I tried to breathe. But it felt like my lungs were full of stones. I stared at him, slumped on the couch–lips parted, completely unaware! tried to speak. Tried to say his name. Tried to scream
But nothing came out. Then I stood. Walked to the study like a ghost in my own home!!
Opened the drawer. Pulled out the pregnancy test and the crumpled repon with the diagnosis still circled in red ink. I slid them under the ledger Buried them. I didn’t want to see them. Not tonight. Maybe not ever!
Behind me, Zeus stirred. Made a noise in his sleep. I looked back at him, my heart like glass underfoot. And in that moment, I knew
He would never be the same man again.
And neither would
By seven, I heard him stick
Zeus walked in, rubbing his temples like he’d just come down from something hard. He looked like the kind of man who ran a crew- sharp gray slacks, sky–blue dress shirt, sleeves rolled up just enough to show the tattoos creeping down his forearms.
That face.
Even after everything, it still hit me. That stupid, dangerous, beautiful face.
He saw me at the desk, eyes bloodshot, and slowed his steps. His whole expression shifted, just for a second
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing Think I’m gonna take some time off work.”
“You don’t need to work, Sav I got us.”
His hand reached out to ruffle my hair–this old habit from back when things
ere simple.
were
I moved away before he touched me. His hand just.. hung there for a moment. Then dropped
He tried again. “You okay?
I didn’t answer that. Truth was, I’d been tired for a long time!!!
I started working part–time in college–graveyard shifts at a 24–hour diner, dealing with drunk assholes and creeps with wandering hands Every dime went toward rent and food.
When Zeus cut off his old man and walked away from the Lambert empire, we had nothing. We shared a shoebox apartment above a laundromat. Cockroaches Thin walls. Gas stove that worked sometimes.
He had a dream, so I made it mine, too.
I’d commute two hours just to save on rent. Woke up at five. Caught the first train. Worked till midnight, came home, washed off the city grime, and passed out cold.
I kept us afloat while he built the business–ran money drops, did “quiet favors” for old contacts, took meetings in dark basements with men who didn’t shake hands unless they were holding a weapon.
And now? We’re rich. but I am now… tired. Tired in a way sleep wouldn’t fix.
I didn’t even realize I was crying until I felt Zeus’s thumb brushing my check.
Hey What’s wrong, baby? Why are you crying?”
I shook my head, voice low. 1 don’t know. Just tired, Zeus. Tired of running. Tired of pretending everything’s fine.”
I leaned into him, and for a second, it felt like it used to–like the world was small and simple and safe. He wrapped his arms around me, warm and familiar, and I closed my eyes.
“Zeus.” I whispered. “Can you stay with me
