Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
APHRODITE
T he sun taunted me as it hid behind the dark December clouds.
After the events of last night, I was taken to stay at my father’s place. It was the eve of the wedding, after all. My wedding. And I would not be marrying the man I desired.
Standing in my childhood bedroom now, it seems like ages ago that I was sitting here feeling trapped, like a caged animal waiting to be sold off by my father to the highest bidder.
Ares had pleaded with me for us to escape. But deep down, I knew the Olympus Syndicate and my father’s henchmen would hunt us down.
No matter where we tried to hide, they’d never stop. Ouranos's network reached far and wide, like an invisible web binding me to him no matter how far I ran. Freedom seemed like an impossible idea for me.
My stomach twisted into painful knots, haunted by the fact that everything—the chaos of the wedding, the ongoing struggle—was a cruel distraction from Titan’s death. The search for the truth seemed to pull me further into an abyss, a consuming darkness that felt endless and impenetrable. It was as if every effort to uncover the truth only deepened the shadows around me, leaving me to wonder if the light would ever break through. In the past weeks, that looming darkness had become an all-encompassing presence, overshadowing every aspect of my life.
I slipped on my silk robe, the fabric cold and heavy against my skin, and pressed my hands to my face, trying to stifle the mounting frustration. A sigh escaped my lips, a release of the tension I couldn’t fully express. Tears were no longer an option.
The alliance of this marriage was an obligation, and that’s all it would ever be.
I’d be married to Hephaestus on paper, but he would not be the one who occupied my heart. The only man that could hold that place was Ares.
I looked in the mirror as the hairdresser finished the final touches, a vacant expression displayed on my face. I didn’t understand why we needed such an extravagant wedding when all we technically needed was a piece of paper to be married legally. I would sign and be done with it. No need for an elaborate event.
But this wedding wasn't merely about forging an alliance. It was a stage for my father's grand display. To him, it was all a twisted game—a spectacle to flaunt his power. He understood that by showcasing the union of the two most notorious crime families, he would cement his dominance and ensure no one would ever challenge him.
Gaia walked in behind me, holding my dress in her hand. She laid it on the bed, and I watched her walk like a zombie, distaste for me clearly displayed on her face. Not surprising, seeing as she never wanted me in this family to begin with .
“Are you done? Because we need you on your way out—Now.” Gaia crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and seething with such intensity that it felt like a physical assault. I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself, and shifted my gaze to the hairdresser, seeking a brief reprieve from Gaia’s penetrating stare.
“She’s ready.”
Getting up from the chair, my movements were devoid of emotion. I shed my robe, exposing my white lace corset and matching underwear. Gaia helped me into my dress, which was a halter style gown with a flowing tulle cape attached to the back. The silk fabric was pristine white and hugged my figure perfectly. The neckline dropped down, revealing my ample cleavage. It was sensuous and stunning, and it highlighted my body in every good way possible.
The astonishing gown would have been ideal for a wedding with someone I genuinely loved and cared for, rather than the man that I was set to marry.
Gaia then handed me two enormous diamond drop earrings, leaving me baffled at this seemingly kind gesture. They had been a gift from her mother. I only knew because Titan would show them to me when we snuck into their bedroom as children. I looked into her eyes and saw that she was void of emotion.
“Thank you.” I whispered, feeling a unique sense of honor.
“We never saw things the same way, but I pray for salvation for you. Because without it, you will end up just like me.” She held my gaze for a moment, and then she walked away.
I had just closed the door to my bedroom for peace and quiet, when I heard the jiggle of a doorknob. Turning to look over my shoulder, I saw the doors to the Juliet balcony swing open as Ares dashed inside. He quickly closed the doors behind him, standing before me in a dark hoodie and black pants, his presence a mix of danger and desire.
I rushed to his side, my heart pounding as I threw my arms around him, desperate for his touch. His lips met mine with a fierce intensity, and the world seemed to blur around us.
Our kiss was a mixture of passion and urgency, leaving me breathless and gasping for air when we finally pulled apart. The tension between us hung heavy, a tangible force.
“Ares, what are you thinking?” I exclaimed, my voice filled with concern. “You could be risking everything just by being here.” But despite my words, I clung to him like he was my lifeline, unable to let go.
“Listen to me,” his voice was barely a whisper. Outside, the sound of distant laughter and music filtered through the closed windows, a reminder of what was waiting for us beyond these four walls. “Do what needs to be done today,” he urged, his words laced with a mix of determination and vulnerability.
I knew what he meant, the sacrifice we both had to make for the sake of our love.
He continued, “I'll endure every moment of this, even as I watch you marry him. My love for you will remain, through it all.” he said, and his grip on me tightened ever so slightly. We were two souls bound by a love that defied the odds, vowing to endure whatever trials lay ahead.
“When I’m up at that altar, I will be imagining you standing before me instead of him,” I confessed as I watched his eyes deepen with heartbreak. Despite not being able to prevent the wedding from happening, we were determined that our love would continue to thrive in secret.
“You’re so beautiful, Aphrodite,” Ares stated as he took in my appearance. “When you’re marrying Hephaestus, I’ll be thinking of us and all the time we’ll have together. We will figure out a way to end this marriage one day. I will do everything in my power to make it happen.”
Ares held me close. Our fates were sealed, but that didn’t mean we would back down. Outside forces controlled this marriage, but I knew our love was greater than the game that was being played .
“You need to go,” I said, regretting the words instantly. He looked exhausted, the dark stubble along his jawline giving him a rugged edge. I pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek, which naturally flowed into a deeper kiss on his soft, full lips. To the world, Ares was a warrior—a force to be reckoned with—but to me, he was my sanctuary, my refuge in the world.
“I need to go,” he repeated.
I nodded even though I wanted nothing more than to escape with him.
“I love you, Ares,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I averted my gaze, terrified of how he might react to what felt like my final confession before marrying another man. For a moment, the silence stretched between us, heavy with uncertainty. But then, to my surprise, a slow, heart-stopping smile spread across his face, his eyes softening with unspoken emotion.
“I love you,” he murmured, his voice low and intense, like a promise. His hand brushed my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine as he pulled me closer. It wasn’t just an admission—it was a vow, one that made my heart race with longing and fear all at once.
We were interrupted by a brief knock at my door, and we quickly let go of each other.
“Just a minute,” I called. Ares snuck onto the balcony and jumped over the railing to scale the terrace down. I opened the door to my bedroom and Artie was standing in the hall.
“Are you ready?” she asked softly as she slipped into the room, her sleek black dress clinging to every curve with an effortless elegance that commanded attention.
It was time.
Wildflowers flowed down the railing of the grand staircase into a display reminiscent of a vibrant forest. My father stood at the base of the stairs, scrutinizing me as I walked toward my inescapable destiny.
His eyes, usually as icy and unyielding as the statues around our house, now carried a touch of sadness—a rare glimpse of vulnerability. I couldn't tell if it was for me or my dead brother. The thoughts hidden behind his gaze remained a mystery, just like always.
My gown trailed behind me. I reached out for my father’s hand, and he reciprocated the gesture. Hidden beneath a veil, my despair consumed me. I had stepped into a den of predators, and knowing my father had orchestrated this entire exchange felt like the cruelest betrayal.
As we entered the grand hall, I felt the weight of the guests’ stares following me like unsettling shadows that refused to dissipate.
Tonight, they would observe the eternal binding of an alliance between two powerful families. With this alliance, the Aetos’ connection to Olympus Syndicate would show everyone in Aeolopolis City that we were unbeatable.
Every step I took felt like I was walking towards hell on earth. Flowers surrounded the candlelight; red roses filled the room. Gaia must’ve chosen my favorite flowers, but as I approached the walkway, it felt like I was heading to my own funeral.
Hephaestus had his back to me as I gazed down aisle. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, exuding dominance as the future ruler of my destiny.
My love’s flame flickered like a ghost in the shadows as I descended the aisle.
Ares had completely captivated my soul, enticing me to tear down my walls and let the flame of our love glow brightly. Our passion was concealed, much like the veil that masked the truth of my purpose. Ouranos held my hand tightly as we walked towards Hephaestus .
When we got to the platform, he spun around and gazed down at me and my father. With his hand outstretched, he walked towards us, and my father placed my hand in his. Hephaestus lifted the veil from my face. I felt intense sadness and anxiety, knowing that this was my inevitable fate.
The priest began the ceremony. “We are gathered here today to join Hephaestus Olympios and Aphrodite Aetos in holy matrimony.”
I swallowed hard. A pang of unease enveloped me as Hephaestus watched me out of the corner of his eye.
I wasn’t paying attention to the priest. A piercing siren was screaming in my head and made everything unbearable, just like the night of the explosion. The knots in my stomach felt like snakes coiling tighter and tighter, their suffocating grip making it hard to breathe.
Facing Hephaestus, he took hold of my hand and repeated each word the priest had recited, “I, Hephaestus Olympios, take you, Aphrodite Aetos, to be my wife.”
As his lips formed the vow, “Till death do us part,” my gaze flickered to the crowd.
There, amidst the faceless masses, was Ares, watching me from the shadows, his presence an anchor in this sea of chaos.
But as Hephaestus's words echoed in my ears, a chilling realization crept over me—this was never about love. To him, I was a possession, a means to an end. Hephaestus would stop at nothing to seize control of Aeolopolis City. Even if it meant crushing me under the weight of his ambition, even if it meant risking my very life, he would pursue power until it consumed us both.
Power and unity filled the reception space, a grand display masking the chains that bound me. Every smile, every toast felt like a mocking reminder of the control Hephaestus now had over me. I longed for freedom, but it was just out of reach, with Hephaestus dictating every step I took. He demanded a submissive wife, someone who would silently stand by his side while he basked in his new alliance with Ouranos .
“I’ll be right back,” I said softly, patting my husband on the shoulder. He leaned in, kissing my temple with a chilling affection. He was like Jekyll and Hyde, and the unpredictability of which version of him I’d get terrified me the most.
I hurried through the crowd, offering polite smiles and nods as I excused myself, my heart racing as I pushed open the French doors to the terrace. The frosty night air hit my skin like daggers, but the cold paled in comparison to the weight pressing down on my soul.
Gripping the railing, I glanced down at the golden band on my finger, feeling its heat like a brand against my skin. I stood there, waiting, my mind swirling with fear and uncertainty, until a familiar warmth enveloped me.
Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me from the darkness as Ares pressed his chest to mine—his presence, my sanctuary. His hands cradled my face gently. “You need to slip the pills into his drink, Aphrodite,” he whispered, urgency lacing his words. “It’s the only way to make sure he doesn’t come for you tonight.”
My heart raced, and fear gripped me.
“He’ll know, Ares,” I stammered, eyes wide with panic. The storm inside me threatened to break free. “He’ll know it was us, and he’ll punish us both.”
“No,” Ares growled, his voice edged with desperation. “I won’t let that happen.”
His eyes blazed with a madness that reflected the torment we shared.
The thought of what I had to do sickened me. To keep the facade intact, I’d have to fulfill my wifely duties, including the unthinkable. Sleeping with Hephaestus felt like a betrayal that I couldn’t escape, but it was necessary for survival—for both of us.
I looked up at Ares, my voice breaking as I whispered, “Tonight, when I’m with him... I’ll close my eyes and imagine it’s you.”
His fists clenched at my words, his jaw tight with barely contained fury. “You don’t have to do this,” he said, his voice raw with pain .
“I do,” I breathed, tears stinging my eyes. “But know that in my heart, it’s you I want. It’s always been you.”
Ares’s gaze softened, the rage tempered by the same helplessness I felt. He kissed me fiercely, as if trying to imprint every bit of his love onto my soul. We both knew the torment wasn’t over—it had only just begun.