Minutes later, the soldiers pulled the car over to the side of the road, boots hitting asphalt in practiced unison as everyone alighted.
Madeline glanced around, hands on her hips.
"Did he ever tell you where you could find him?"
Athena shook her head slowly.
"I walked away that day. I didn't even thank him properly."
Madeline frowned. "Then how are we supposed to find him?"
Before Athena could respond, a wave of murmurs rolled through the street ahead. Cars were stalled at odd angles. Horns blared. A crowd had gathered.
Athena's eyes narrowed.
"Let's see what's going on."
She grabbed Madeline's hand without thinking and pulled her forward, weaving through curious onlookers and raised phones—until she reached the front.
And froze.
Her breath hitched.
"Stephan?"
He turned at the sound of her voice, shock flashing across his face.
"Athena? What are you doing here?"
Madeline blinked between them.
"Wait—this is the guy you told me about?"
Athena nodded, already stepping closer. Madeline followed instinctively, like a shadow.
"What happened?" Athena asked.
Stephan scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I was riding my bike… and I accidentally bumped into his car."
Athena's gaze slid to the dented vehicle, then to the man standing beside it.
"And he wants you to pay?"
Stephan nodded. "Yeah."
"How much?"
Stephan mumbled something.
"I can't hear you," Athena said calmly. "Speak louder."
Madeline leaned in. "He said five thousand."
Athena turned fully to the car owner—a thick-necked man with crossed arms and a permanent scowl.
"Are you the owner of this car?"
"Yes."
Athena pulled out her phone, unlocking it with unnerving calm.
"Give me your account details."
The man scoffed.
"And who do you think you are, little miss rich girl? You think you can fool me with that act?"
Athena didn't blink.
"Are you giving me your account details—or not?"
Her gaze was steady. Cold. When he didn't answer, she shrugged and slipped her phone back into her pocket.
"Since you don't want the money, we'll take our leave."
"Wait!" he barked. "Thirteen-five-two-six-zero. Williams Bank."
Athena paused.
"Williams Bank?" she repeated softly.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Nothing," she said, already typing. "I've sent it."
The man's phone pinged.
He checked it—and his eyes widened.
"Fifteen thousand? What for?"
"Apology," Athena replied coolly. "The extra ten thousand is for you to apologize to us."
He barked out a laugh.
"Apologize? To you?"
Athena tilted her head.
"According to the law, extorting money from an orphan like me is punishable."
His smile faltered.
"You're bluffing."
"Then I'll call the police and—"
"Don't!" he snapped. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for extorting money from you."
Athena nodded once.
"Much better. Let's go."
They walked away as if nothing had happened, soldiers falling in behind them.
Madeline burst out laughing.
"I cannot believe he actually fell for that!"
Athena smiled faintly.
"I just needed him to apologize. I didn't think he'd actually do it either."
"That was brilliant," Madeline said, shaking her head.
She turned to Stephan.
"I heard you saved Athena once."
Stephan shifted uncomfortably.
"I didn't really save her. I just… ran away from the hospital because of the bills."
"But you still took her there," Madeline said. "That counts. So I owe you one."
Athena looked at him closely.
"Stephan… where do you live?"
"I don't really have a place."
Madeline's eyes widened.
"What?! Then where do you sleep?"
"That place I found you the other day," he said quietly. "That's where I live."
Athena exhaled slowly.
"That explains a lot. Do you have any family?"
"I don't know them," Stephan said with a small shrug. "So I guess I'm an orphan too."
Madeline softened. "How do you survive?"
"Odd jobs. Whatever comes."
He smiled—small, resilient.
"Since you know about me, I should know about you two."
Madeline lifted her chin proudly.
"I'm Madeline Yates. Only daughter of our country's Field Marshal."
Stephan blinked. "Wow."
He turned to Athena. "And you?"
"Athena Williams," she said quietly. "The last child of Sean Williams, CEO of Rowena's Fashion World."
Something gentler crossed Stephan's face.
"The day you fainted on the street…" he said carefully. "What happened?"
"Long story."
"Then make it short."
Athena swallowed.
"My mother refused to cooperate with a mafia organization. They came after us. My father was shot. My mother's missing. My brother too."
Silence fell—heavy and respectful.
Madeline reached out, her voice light but sincere.
"Well… since we all know each other now, that means we're friends, right?"
Stephan nodded. "Yeah. Friends."
Athena extended her hand.
"Friends forever."
Stephan placed his hand over hers.
"Friends forever."
Madeline grinned and stacked hers on top.
"Friends forever!"
Right on cue, Stephan's stomach growled loudly.
They all burst into laughter.
"Where's the closest restaurant?" Athena asked. "Let's eat."
"There's one down the street," Stephan said.
Madeline looped her arms through both of theirs.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go, friends!"
She dragged them forward, laughter spilling into the street as the soldiers followed behind—
three lives colliding by chance,
staying by choice,
on streets where fate had quietly decided to intervene.