The Choice She Never Wanted
Athena moved through the crowded streets like a ghost, wiping her tears in silence while the world rushed past her—laughing, shouting, living. No one noticed the way her shoulders shook, or how her chest ached with every breath. She walked without direction, without purpose, as though stopping might cause her to fall apart completely.
A small hand suddenly reached out in front of her.
She stopped.
A boy in tattered clothes stood there, holding out a piece of chocolate like it was something precious.
Athena stared at it, then at him. Slowly—hesitantly—she took it, her fingers brushing his.
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice thin.
"How are you feeling now?" the boy asked.
Athena frowned. "What do you mean?"
He scratched his head awkwardly. "I was the one who took you to the hospital… but I had to leave. I didn't have money to pay the bills."
Her throat tightened.
"Thank you for saving my life."
"I'm Stephan," he said softly. "What's your name?"
"Athena."
He hesitated, then spoke carefully. "If I'm not being too forward… what happened that day? Why are you crying now?"
Athena looked away. "Never mind."
Stephan nodded. "If you don't want to talk, I understand."
She swallowed hard. "Can you take a stroll with me?"
"Sure."
They walked slowly, side by side, the city humming around them—until the sound of engines cut through the air.
Several limousines pulled over beside them.
Athena froze.
Doors opened. Bodyguards stepped out, forming a wall in front of them. Her heart slammed violently against her ribs as Scott emerged, composed and powerful, like he belonged everywhere he stood.
Athena instinctively stepped back.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice shaking.
"I am Scott Williams," he said calmly. "Your paternal grandfather."
Something inside her snapped.
"It seems your wife didn't tell you," Athena shot back. "I'm an orphan. You let us go. You let my father down. I don't see any use in doing this now."
"No matter how many times you deny it," Scott said steadily, "I am—and will always be—your grandfather."
Athena's eyes burned.
"The people I regard as my family are dead," she said, her voice breaking. "Please leave me alone."
She turned to Stephan. "Let's go."
She took a step—then Scott's voice stopped her cold.
"If your parents were here," he said, "this is what they would have wanted for you. They would have wanted you to live with the Williams. You'll be safe with us—even if you refuse to accept us as family."
Athena turned back slowly.
Anger and grief collided in her chest, rising until she could barely breathe.
"I admit this is not what my parents would have wanted," she said, tears spilling freely now. "But even if I wanted to join your family, do you think I could forget that you left them to fend for themselves? All because you didn't support their marriage?"
Scott's gaze hardened. "Do you think that should be your priority now? Can you guarantee your safety unless you come back to the Williams? Do you really think you have a choice?"
Her hands clenched into fists.
"And that's exactly what's killing me," Athena whispered fiercely. "The fact that I don't have a choice."
She met his eyes, defeated and furious all at once.
"Even if I join your family… please go. I'll find my way to your house."
Scott studied her for a long moment.
"I'll be expecting you."
He turned, walked back to his car, and disappeared—his world swallowing her whole.
Stephan looked at her, worried. "You look bad… are you okay?"
Athena forced a weak smile. "Thank you for the chocolate. I'll find a way to repay you someday. But for now… I just want to be alone."
She walked away before he could say anything else.
---
An hour later, Athena sat on the low fence of a silent compound, chewing the chocolate slowly like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. The street was empty. The sky felt heavy.
An SUV pulled up in front of her.
A young man stepped out carefully.
"Are you Miss Williams?" he asked.
Athena laughed bitterly. "Who are you?"
"I'm Brian. Mr. Scott sent me to pick you up and bring you home."
"Home," she repeated hollowly. "Do I really have somewhere to call home?"
Brian met her gaze gently. "Yes, young mistress."
She exhaled shakily.
"…Let's go."
Athena climbed down from the fence, picked up her bag, and walked toward the car—each step taking her farther from everything she had loved, and closer to a life she never chose.
And as the door closed behind her, she realized—
This wasn't rescue.
It was surrender.