Athena opened the door—and the moment her eyes met Madeline's, her lips trembled into a soft, fragile smile. It was the kind of smile that came from surviving something unbearable.
Madeline's gaze swept over her instantly.
"I feel like you've lost weight in just two days."
Athena swallowed. "Madeline… I've really missed you."
Madeline smirked, but her eyes softened.
"Missed you? That word's too small for what I felt."
She pulled Athena into a tight embrace—fierce, grounding, familiar. Athena melted into it, her fingers clutching the back of Madeline's jacket as if afraid she might disappear too.
Nearby, Imelda watched the scene, her heart warming despite herself.
She laughed softly. "Athena, let go of her and let the girl come in already."
Imelda stepped aside, and the two girls walked in together, their laughter blending with the soft echo of footsteps against marble floors.
---
Living Room – Continuous
Athena and Madeline sat on the sofa, knees angled toward each other like they'd always done. Imelda joined them, her smile gentle and observant.
Across the room, Natalie lounged on a chair, scrolling lazily through her phone. She glanced up—
—and froze.
"Wait…" She squinted. "Are you Madeline Yates?"
Madeline nodded once. "I am."
Natalie's eyes widened. "Seriously? The Madeline Yates?"
Madeline's jaw tightened. "Do you always repeat names like that?"
Natalie laughed nervously. "I met you last year—your seventeenth birthday. I spilled wine on your dress."
Madeline blinked, unimpressed.
"Oh. That." A pause. "Right. I don't remember you."
Natalie's smile stiffened, but she stretched out her hand anyway.
"I'm Natalie Williams."
Madeline frowned slightly.
"Sorry. I have mysophobia. I don't do random handshakes."
Natalie pulled her hand back, awkward heat creeping into her cheeks.
"Right… nice to meet you, though."
Madeline nodded curtly. "Excuse me."
She turned back to Athena instantly, her expression softening like a switch had flipped.
"Athena, can I see your room?"
"Sure," Athena said. "Come on."
---
Athena's Room – Minutes Later
Madeline slowly turned in place, taking everything in—the wide windows, the carefully chosen furniture, the quiet luxury that felt too large for grief.
"Your room is beautiful."
Athena's smile faded.
"How beautiful can it be without my family here with me?"
Madeline stepped closer, taking Athena's hand gently, grounding her.
"I know it still hurts. But you can't live inside your pain forever. You have to bury it—and move on."
Athena pulled her hand away slowly and walked to the bed. She sat down heavily, shoulders trembling.
"I watched them shoot my father two days ago," she said, her voice cracking. "My mother was taken away. My brother is still missing." She sniffed, blinking hard. "How can anything ever be beautiful again?"
Madeline crossed the room and sat beside her, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.
"There's still one beautiful person left in your life," she said quietly. "Me."
Athena looked up, eyes glassy.
"No matter what happens," Madeline continued, "we've got each other. We're sisters. Remember?"
Athena nodded, a tear slipping free.
"Thank you… so much."
Madeline clicked her tongue. "Wipe your tears. You look horrible."
Athena rolled her eyes weakly. "Thanks for the compliment."
"You know," Madeline added, softer now, "this is the first time I've ever seen you cry."
Athena chuckled faintly. "Maybe because I'm a tough girl."
Madeline snorted. "Tough girl, my—"
She gasped suddenly.
"Jeez, Athena—your nose!"
She grabbed a tissue from the drawer and gently wiped the blood from Athena's face, careful and focused.
"What a gentle sister," Athena murmured.
"I can do this forever if you want."
Athena smiled faintly. "Why not? Be my personal nurse."
Madeline sighed. "Why do you always get nosebleeds anyway?"
"I don't know. It's been happening since I was little."
"Well," Madeline said firmly, "you've got me now. I'll always be here to clean up your messes."
They laughed softly, the sound fragile but real.
Then Athena's expression shifted—thoughtful, almost guarded.
"I want you to meet someone."
Madeline tilted her head. "Who?"
"The guy who helped me when I fainted on the street," Athena said. "He took me to the hospital."
Madeline nodded without hesitation. "Alright. Let's go."
---
They headed downstairs, said goodbye to Imelda, and stepped into Madeline's car—two soldiers already standing guard nearby.
The engine hummed to life.
As the car pulled away from the Williams mansion, Athena leaned back in her seat, her hand brushing Madeline's.
For the first time since everything shattered, she didn't feel entirely alone.
But behind the gates, resentment had already begun to take root—and not everyone would welcome the sister who had just returned to her side.