Chapter 19 ATHENA
ATHENA
When I asked to attend Dominic’s birthday, I expected mockery. What I didn’t expect was for him to storm into my room the next day, drop a white box on the bed, and say, “Wear this.”
Even more surprising, Alec told me Dominic had changed the entire theme of the party—turned it into a masked ball so I could attend without risk of being recognized.
And when I opened the box? The dress was purple. My favorite color. He remembered.
It clung to my body like it was custom-made, a second skin of satin and shimmer. A deep royal hue, dramatic and bold, with just enough skin showing to stir whispers. He didn’t just choose a dress—he chose this dress. For me.
The party was at his mansion. By nine, it was already full—more people than I’d ever seen under one roof. Everyone wore masks. That was the rule: no mask, no entry.
From the terrace outside my room, I watched the crowd below.
My own mask matched the dress—purple with white detail, covering my entire face.
Massive purple gemstones glittered under the lights.
My red hair had been curled into loose waves that cascaded to my waist. The girl staring back at me from the mirror?
She looked powerful. Not innocent or fragile. Not a victim.
By ten, I finally joined the party, flanked by two guards. I’d been ready for hours, but courage took longer. Being around so many strangers after weeks of isolation made my skin prickle.
As I entered, heads turned. Conversations stopped, and eyes followed me.
The crowd parted for me, and I felt every stare like a dagger—curious, hungry, judging.
I kept my eyes forward, pretending not to notice, but I could feel it.
Maybe it was the dress or maybe, despite the mask, they sensed something familiar.
Could my red hair have given me away? Do they know who I really am?
And if they did… would they say anything?
The questions swirled, drowning me. I was seconds away from retreating when I spotted a familiar grin cutting through the sea of masks. Alec. He strode toward me like he owned the place—two girls clinging to each arm. The mask did little to hide him.
“There’s my favorite fiery girl,” he grinned, lifting my gloved hand to his lips. The girls glared at me, but Alec didn’t notice or didn’t care. “You look fascinating.”
“Thank you,” I managed, offering a polite smile. He turned to the girls.
“Excuse me, ladies. I’ll join you in a bit,” He flashed a charming smile, and they giggled as if he’d said something hilarious. They lef,t and then Alec turned to me, placed his hands behind his back, the grin never leaving his face.
“I’ll admit, I didn’t expect Nic to let you come tonight. You’ve got influence, golden princess.”
“Or maybe he just didn’t want to leave me locked in a room while the rest of you partied.”
Alec chuckled, shaking his head.
“Empathy isn’t exactly in Nic’s vocabulary.” Alec took a sip from his drink. “And let’s not forget that he turned this into a masked ball for you. If that’s not influence, I don’t know what is.”
That can’t be true. Alec must be drunk. I changed the subject.
“The celebration is… massive.” I glanced around. “Does he know everyone here?”
“The Stones never do anything small,” Alec replied, handing me a glass of champagne. “His father organized it, of course. Nic didn’t even want a party.”
“Will you keep me company tonight?” My voice softened, hesitant. I hated how vulnerable I sounded. I could usually handle being alone, but the constant stares tonight—it was too much. Alec opened his mouth to answer, but another voice cut in.
“There you are.”
A stunning girl in a tight red dress and matching mask approached. Tall, poised, with brown eyes that sparkled and lips painted the same bold red as her gown. Her hand landed on Alec’s shoulder like she belonged there.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” she said sweetly.
Alec didn’t even pretend to be polite.
“As you can see, I’m busy, Alice.”
His tone was flat. She didn’t care. She turned to me, eyes alight with amusement.
“Will you introduce me to your girlfriend?”
I nearly choked, but Alec smirked.
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
She smiled wider, unfazed. Alec glanced at me apologetically.
“Allow me to introduce my little sister—Alice.”
“And the prettier sibling,” she added, offering her hand. Her warmth was disarming. I took it. “And you are?”
Panic. I looked at Alec, but he jumped in smoothly.
“Her name is Bella,” he said without blinking. “She’s… a friend of Dominic’s.”
A friend? I nearly rolled my eyes.
“Ohhh, so Dominic’s girlfriend,” Alice teased, eyes sparkling. “I see now.”
I choked on air. “Not a girlfriend. Just… a friend.”
“Of course,” she winked, clearly not buying it.
Alec, mercifully, cut in. “You’re here anyway. Why not make yourself useful?” He took another long sip of his drink. “Keep Bella company. She’s alone, like you.”
“With pleasure,” Alice beamed. She looped her arm through mine before I could say no. “Another drink?” she asked cheerfully. I looked at Alec. He nodded. His sister waited, glowing with excitement.
“Sure,” I said after a beat.
She clapped, pulling me into the crowd. Alec waved behind us, mouthing “Good luck.”
We reached a table and sat. Almost instantly, a bottle of champagne appeared.
“Your dress is everything,” Alice said, leaning in. “And that mask? You’re giving off serious mystery-goddess energy. I’m obsessed.”
“Thank you.” I gave her a tight smile.
Although all the credit went to Dominic, I didn’t say that out loud. Alice already thought I was his girlfriend—that assumption was crazy enough without me fueling the fire, but her words stirred a question in me I couldn’t ignore- Does he have a girlfriend? A lover?
He wouldn’t touch me if he did… would he? The thought settled in my chest like a lump of coal. Sharp and bitter. And why the hell did it feel like jealousy?
The waiters returned, setting plates in front of us. Alice thanked sweetly, then turned back to me, resting her hand on the table.
“Well, how come I’ve never seen you before?” She raised a brow, eyes scanning me again. “I swear I’d remember you. Your red hair is kind of unforgettable.”
She was curious, definitely, but still smiling warmly. I could see bits of Alec in her—charming, persistent, sharp beneath the shine.
“I live far away.” Very far. But I didn’t elaborate. “What about you? I didn’t know Alec had a sister.”
“Of course he doesn’t talk about me. I’m not surprised.
We tolerate each other better from opposite coasts.
” She sipped her champagne with a grin. I understood more than she knew.
Being away from Ace made me realize how much I loved him.
I’d give anything just to hear his loud, sarcastic voice again. Alice leaned in, more casual now.
“I’m here on business, actually. It just happened to overlap with Nic’s birthday, and obviously, I couldn’t miss it.”
Nic. She called him Nic—comfortably, like someone who’d known him a long time. Are they close? Friends? More than friends? I hated that the idea sat so uncomfortably inside me.
“And what about you, Bella?” She said my fake name with a teasing smile. “Did you travel all the way to California just for Nic’s birthday?”
California. The word echoed like a siren in my head. That one innocent sentence told me more than I’d been able to figure out in weeks. Shit. We’re in California. That’s… that’s too far from home. My fingers tightened around the stem of my glass.
“Something like that,” I said quickly, taking a deep gulp of my drink. Champagne burned going down, but it was better than the lump in my throat. Alice tilted her head, watching me over the rim of her glass.
“So I was right. He’s special to you.” She grinned, raising her eyebrows playfully. I shook my head, but she kept going. “Don’t be shy. I get it. Nic has this charm under all that scary, brooding exterior. Women love him.”
I tried to smile, but the taste in my mouth turned bitter again.
“Well, I’m not one of them.” My words felt hollow. “Like I said, we’re just… friends.”
Friends. That word tasted like a lie. Thankfully, Alice didn’t push.
She let the conversation shift, and I was grateful.
She talked about her work as a graphic designer in New York—how she freelanced for fashion labels, how crazy the city could be.
The more she spoke, the clearer it became: Alice had no idea what Alec really did.
She believed he worked for Dominic’s legal businesses—restaurants, venues, events. She thought the Stone empire was respectable. If only she knew. If only anyone here knew.
Eventually, another girl joined us—Katerina, I think. A friend of Alice’s, clearly. They fell into easy small talk, laughing about old stories, reminiscing. And I? I smiled politely. I nodded when it made sense, but my eyes wandered. Searching. Scanning.
Looking for him.
I hated it. Hated how desperate it felt. How even when I tried to stop, my gaze kept drifting, hoping to catch a glimpse of his tall figure, his dark suit, the way he fills a room without trying, but he was nowhere to be found. And I should be glad.
I should be happy. I should use this chance to run. Escape. Get as far away as possible. But when I looked over my shoulder, one of my guards was already watching me. Like he knew what I was thinking. Like he was waiting for me to try.
Running wouldn’t be easy. It might not even be possible. So I leaned back in my chair, crossed my legs, and turned my attention toward the band playing at the far end of the ballroom. I finished my champagne. Let the bubbles dull the edge of my thoughts.
I came here because I wanted to. I begged to be part of this. So the least I could do was pretend that I was someone else. Just for tonight. Pretend I’m not Athena King.
Not the missing daughter of Maddox King, not the girl held captive by Dominic Stone, not the girl who might be the end of her own family. Tonight… I’m Bella.