Chapter 23%
Xander watched the mansion bum.ash tainting Xander’s cufflinks.
The flames that devoured the Valcruz estate were a distant glow now nothing more than a memory, a cautionary tale told to smoke and
stars.
He stood at the edge of the Thome balcony, wind slicing against his cheek, the weight of everything he had done pressing against his
ribs.
His phone vibrated once.
He picked it up, slowly. “William.”
“Sir?”
“I have the coordinates.” Xander murmured, eyes locked on the golden horizon. “Golden Reefs, Athena is there.”%
There was silence on the other and
“Master” William breathed. “We located it. Please give your orders.
Xander’s voice sharpened like broken glass.)
“Arrange a private jet. Delete every flight record once I board. And listen carefully I want the Thome estate transformed.” “Transformed sir?”
“For her retum,” His words dropped like iron.
Start with the west wing, Remodel everything and make it hers…use architecture she liked, marbles she loved and make it like it is her own palace decorated with minors and chandeliers.
Athena loves reading so construct a private library filled with rare first editions. She once mentioned loving illustrated books so quickly find every last edition from the 1800s.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Build a walk in closet for my future queen.” Xander continued, pacing back and forth driven by the force of obsession and guilt “Commission a Parisian designer…the one who won the best designer of the year award to design an exclusive line only for Athena. Every dress must be unique, no repeats Silk from Japan and rare gems from India. And one more thing.”
His eyes narrowed, voice lowering.8
“Retrieve every single designer dress that once belonged to Athena’s fashion line Revive… bring back all the dresses she made…those that were stolen and handed to that fucking whore Jessica.“}
William exhaled “All of them?”
“Every fucking thread William.” Xander hissed. “I want the best textile restorers in Europe, I don’t give a damn how much money is spent but bring those Dior archivists….whoever it takes. Stitch Athena’s collection back to perfection. If even one bead is out of place, fire the whole team.”
“Yes, sir.” William and the others who were listening to the orders have astonishment written on their faces.
“And prepare them in a chamber guarded by biometric lock. She chooses who touches the dresses dedicated to her mom…I don’t want to…I can’t made Athena more wronged,”
“Understood.”
William hesitated before speaking. “Anything else, sir?“!
“Yes…” Xander said hoarsely “Her mother.”
William paused. “Miss Athena’s mother, sir?“N
Xander closed his eyes. “Yes…Athena and hr mom suffered alot and I a damn fool contibuted in those suffereings…it was Athena’s mom who arranged me and Athena to be married in future but because of that damn wench every was gone!
So build a memorial for Athena’s mother. A garden blooming only white irises around it. In the center, a bronze statue not of a woman in mourning, but of a mother shielding her daughter from the fire.”
“I will commission it immediately.”
“Not enough.” Xander turned, voice gaining force. “Announce a state mourning in her honor. A full week. Every Thorne affiliate and partner family will fly their flags half–mast.”
William barely breathed. “Yes?
“The engagement I broke years ago..”
A beat!
“I want it restored
“Sir are you contain?“H
Xander’s voice turned low and final #
beg and grovel at Athena’s feet. bring
“This time i will kneel with the ring and the world will know–she was always meant to be mine. I will beg
her back even if I have to bleed myself dry.”
A long pause.
Then softly, as if confessing a prayer. “Prepare for Athena’s arrival well “H
10:04 AM ď ď •
“Welcoming ceremony, sir?”
“No.” His voice turned dark. “She is not coming back as a guest.”
William held his breath.
“She’s coming back as my queen.
A pause. Then-
“One last order.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Find five of our strongest trained operatives. Military men who follow orders without any damn fear.“8 “What should I tell them?”
“When I return with Athena… they will wait in the north chamber. Tell them to beat me.”
William froze. “Sir..”
“Not until I bleed… Xander whispered. “Not until my bones scream. But until I am… unrecognizable.” “Sir, no…
“She needs to see it.. Athena must look at the man suffering who made her cry….” Xander said, voice fraying, “that her pain wasn’t just felt. It was carved into me.
He ended the call and the memory of a girl with shattered eyes remained silent.
Athena.”
10:04 AM c
