Author POV-

Chapter: The Truth Beneath the Surface

The engine hummed softly as Sean drove through the empty streets under a gloomy sky, the silence between him and Athena thicker than the fog hanging over the road.

Athena sat beside him, her gaze fixed out the window. Her posture was rigid, but her mind seemed elsewhere. Sean noticed immediately. It wasn’t often she looked... distracted.

“What’s going on, Ena?” he asked, his voice soft as his eyes flicked toward her, then back to the road.

Athena didn’t answer immediately. Then, in her usual composed tone, void of emotion, she said, “Today... I’m going to tell Bella about her family.”

Sean slammed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt. The tires screamed against the asphalt as the vehicle jerked violently forward, stopping inches before the intersection.

“WHAT?!” Sean yelled, turning to her in disbelief, eyes wide.

Athena didn’t even blink. “I don’t like loud noises, Sean. Don’t forget who I am,” she said coldly.

Sean exhaled, trying to calm himself. “Sorry,” he muttered, gripping the steering wheel tight. “But... why now?”

“Because the time has come for Bella to meet her real family,” Athena answered.

Sean’s eyes drifted down to her hands. She was clenching her fists so hard, her nails had pierced her skin, and small droplets of blood stained her palm. His heart ached at the sight.

Sighing, he gently reached over and opened her fist, careful not to startle her. Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, he wrapped it around her hand delicately.

“If you don’t want to let Bella go... then why are you doing this?” Sean asked helplessly. “Why hurt yourself?”

“She needs her family, Sean. If not today, then tomorrow. I... I’ll have to hand her over eventually.” Athena’s voice trembled for a fraction of a second, almost imperceptible—but Sean caught it.

Frustrated, he jumped out of the car and slammed the door shut, the sound echoing down the empty street. He walked to the front of the car and punched the bonnet hard, letting out a guttural growl of rage.

Athena stepped out calmly and walked toward him. She held out a water bottle.

“Drink,” she ordered.

Sean glanced at it, then at her. He wanted to refuse out of spite, but she was right, as usual. With a grumble, he accepted and took a few gulps.

Still unsatisfied, he kicked the tire hard enough to send a shock of pain up his leg.

Athena rolled her eyes. “That’s it,” she muttered.

She opened the car door, grabbed another bottle of water, walked up to Sean, and without hesitation, poured the entire thing over his head.

“Wha—?” Sean gasped, wiping water from his face, completely drenched.

Athena leaned in, her voice like a blade. “Now sit your ass down and listen before I smack you. You throw more tantrums than Bella. She’s smarter than you.”

Sean blinked, speechless, then dragged himself back into the car like a scolded student. Athena shook her head and muttered, “Bipolar bastard.”

Silence settled in again.

Athena inhaled slowly, then said, “Listen carefully. Yes, I don’t want Bella to leave me. But keeping her away from her family isn’t right either.”

Sean turned to her, his voice softening. “What the hell are you saying, Ena? You didn’t take her away from them—you saved her.”

He looked at her with fierce conviction.

“That newborn baby trapped in Voltor’s cage... You were the only one in the underworld who dared defy him. You walked into that hellhole and walked out carrying her in your arms. No one else could have done that. You’re the only one who’s ever stood up to that psycho.”

Athena’s jaw tightened. Her gaze remained fixed out the window, but her fists clenched again.

Sean sighed and placed his hand on hers.

“You saved her, Ena. You’re stronger than anyone I know.”

But Athena jerked her hand away with a burst of anger and shouted, “NO! I’M NOT STRONG ENOUGH!”

Sean fell silent.

Athena trembled for a moment before regaining composure. “I tried to save her, yes. But for how long? Voltor is still out there—watching, waiting. I have to be stronger, Sean. Stronger than him, stronger than I’ve ever been. Otherwise, everything we’ve done will be for nothing.”

Sean looked down, guilt washing over him.

“But Bella... she’s so young, Ena. She won’t understand. We’ll break her heart. She’ll find out that the one person she thought was her own isn’t really her family... and her real family was gone all along.”

Athena shook her head. “She’s not like other children. She’s smarter, more aware. We’ll be there to explain it all to her. And no—meeting her family doesn’t mean she’ll forget us. We are her family. Today, tomorrow, forever.”

Sean stared at her for a moment, then smiled softly. “You know... it’s still hard to believe you’re the same Athena people were terrified of. The cold queen of the underworld. Now look at you. Talking like a mom.”

Athena raised an eyebrow. “I’ve changed for Bella. Only for her. For the rest of the world, I’m still the same Athena. I can still kill without blinking. No one dares meet my gaze. But to her... I’m just Angel.”

---

Time Skip — Dr. Paridhi’s Home

The familiar warmth of home greeted them. Technically, it was Dr. Paridhi’s house, but over time, it had become more—their home.

Inside, Bella was perched on the floor with a coloring book, Amaira beside her, gently explaining her homework. Dr. Paridhi flipped through medical reports, sipping tea.

The door opened.

“Athena!” Bella cried, jumping up and racing forward. She practically launched herself at her, latching onto her legs.

“Angel! I missed youuuu!” Bella sang dramatically, throwing her arms wide.

Athena scooped her up with ease, holding her tightly. She kissed her soft cheeks. “I missed you too, cupcake.”

Sean stepped inside and scoffed dramatically. “Yeah, yeah. Only Angel gets the dramatic welcome, huh? What about us poor mortals? We’re invisible. Ghosts in the wind.”

Amaira raised an eyebrow. “Glad you’ve finally accepted reality.”

Dr. Paridhi and Amaira burst into laughter at Sean’s exaggerated pout. Bella giggled as Athena fought the tiniest hint of a smile.

“Traitors,” Sean muttered, wiping fake tears.

After some light-hearted teasing, everyone freshened up, then gathered in the living room for snacks. Dr. Paridhi’s cooking, as always, was heavenly. Even the mafia-trained tastebuds of Athena and Sean couldn’t resist her aloo parathas and masala tea.

“India may be known for many things,” Sean declared, “but this food... this food is a national treasure.”

Bella nodded furiously, her cheeks stuffed. “Yesh, besht foood everrr!”

Laughter echoed through the room.

But then Athena cleared her throat.

“Bella, come here.”

Bella immediately jumped up and ran to her. Athena picked her up again and placed her on her lap.

“I need to talk to you about something important, cupcake. You’ll listen carefully, right?”

Bella nodded, eyes wide and serious.

Athena brushed her hair back gently.

“Today, I want to tell you about your family. I know you’ve had questions...”

Everyone else fell silent. Dr. Paridhi paused mid-sip. Amaira put her book down.

Bella spoke softly. “Yes, Angel. Sometimes when I see other kids with their moms and dads... I wonder. But I always knew you’d tell me one day. I trust you.”

Athena swallowed hard.

“You have a big family, Bella. Your father’s name is Alexander Romano. Your mother is Iris Romano. And... you have five older brothers.”

Bella gasped. “FIVE?”

Athena nodded. “Aris, Enzo, Marco, Domino, and Lucas. You’re the youngest. Their little princess.”

“Where are they? Why didn’t they come for me?” Bella asked innocently.

Sean glanced at Athena.

“Because... you were taken from them,” Athena said softly. “You were kidnapped when you were just born.”

“Why?” Bella’s voice wavered.

“Remember the story I told you about the mafia princess?” Athena asked.

Bella’s eyes lit up. “Yes! I loved that story! The princess was brave, and the mafia world was so cool!”

Amaira and Dr. Paridhi exchanged worried glances.

“That story was real,” Sean said quietly. “That princess was real.”

Bella blinked. “Wait... does that mean the mafia... is real?”

Athena nodded. “And you, Bella—you’re that princess.”

Silence fell. Even the ticking clock felt too loud.

Bella blinked again. “Wait—me? I’m... really a mafia princess?”

Everyone held their breath.

Bella’s face lit up. “Whoa! Really? That’s so cool!”

Amaira stared at her like she’d grown horns. “That’s your reaction?”

Bella shrugged. “I mean, yeah, it’s a shock. But when Angel told me the story, I hoped I was the princess.”

Athena smirked slightly and looked at everyone: Told you so.

“Angel, you told me who they are... but why couldn’t they find me?” Bella asked seriously.

Sean spoke, “Because the man who took you—he’s not normal. He’s dangerous.”

“Do you know him?” Bella asked.

Athena answered this time, her voice low. “We work for him.”

Bella recoiled slightly. “Why?”

“Because we had no choice,” Sean said.

He then began explaining the organization. The hierarchy. The horrors. The man they feared—Voltor. He described the underground world like a place built by nightmares.

By the time he finished, Bella was quiet.

“W-Will... will he hurt me?” she asked, her voice small.

Athena’s expression hardened like steel. Her jaw clenched. Her eyes burned.

“No one will ever hurt you, Bella. Not while I’m alive.”

Bella nodded slowly, tears forming in her eyes.

“But... we have to go back soon,” Athena whispered.

Dr. Paridhi froze. “No... no, beta. I can’t let you take her back to that place.”

“If we don’t, he’ll come here. He allowed us to stay only while the base was being rebuilt. It’s finished now,” Athena said.

“So... you’re leaving,” Dr. Paridhi said quietly.

Athena looked at her, emotion in her eyes. “We’re not leaving, Pari Maa. We’re just... going to make things right.”

Dr. Paridhi’s eyes welled with tears. It was the first time Athena had called her Maa.

She pulled Athena into a tight embrace. “Meri bacchi...”

Amaira, Sean, and Bella rushed into the hug. All four were wrapped in Dr. Paridhi’s arms, like a real mother holding her children together.

“We have a few days,” Amaira said quietly.

“Then let’s live them fully,” Dr. Paridhi whispered, her arms tightening around them all.

**************************

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