The Devil CEO's Contract Wife novel Chapter 249

Chapter 249: The Stranger In The House

"She has been living in this dump all this time? Scratch my eyes." Athena took off her sunglasses, her entire outfit making this place seem like the dump she mentioned, even though I’m already seething at the slur.

Athena flipped her hair, exactly as I remembered before she faced Ares, a mix of frown and relief twisting her features.

"Hello, brother. Did you miss me?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I was wondering where you vanished to, and trust me, I knew it wasn’t a business trip. How dare you lie to my face? Did you think I wouldn’t find you? Think again. You underestimate me, brother. It was easy to—"

She paused when Esme peeked from behind Ares, her arms wrapped around his leg.

Athena blinked. "Is that..." She couldn’t finish as I came into view, standing beside Ares.

"Oh look... It’s my runaway bestie."

"Are you friends with my mommy?" Esme asked.

"Yes, I’m her bestie, we go way back." She tilted her head. "Come close lemme see you."

Without hesitation, Esme walked to her, and Athena crouched to her height, observing her for a really long time.

"I was right..."

"Right about what?"

She pinched her cheek. "You’re a dumpling. The cutest littlest dumpling I have ever seen. You stole all the looks."

Esme giggled.

Athena spared me a look and then Ares before rising to her full height.

"So are you two just gonna stand there or welcome me to this humble abode?"

I folded my arms. "I think you’re already welcomed. You let yourself in already."

"The door was unlocked."

"I’m sure it was..."

She neared me, her heels clicking sharply. "I should punch your face flat. Destroy that pretty face. What’s your skincare routine by the way, does it come with bruises?"

"Athena—" I was cut short by her sudden embrace.

"Don’t worry, I won’t punch you... not while Ares is watching."

She pulled away so that she could see me. "You should have told me you wanted to run away. I could have helped."

My mouth parted to voice something.

"What? Don’t give me that look. I meant what I said." Athena snapped at Ares, who simply pinned her with a look.

"I told you I’d hate you for what you did, and I still do." Her eyes shifted towards me. "Now my bestie is back! I hope I’m your favorite this time... wouldn’t want any unfortunate accidents to happen to the previous one."

Right.

~☆~

I opened the door, but it got blocked by something behind, so I pushed until the door flew open, and I almost followed if I hadn’t held onto the frame tightly.

Look at this mess.

The diner was unrecognizable; everything was a disaster.

A squeeze found my chest. The more my eyes swept the clutter, the more it felt like I couldn’t breathe. I neared the counter, pushing aside the tray smeared with blood.

Three years went down the drain.

I looked to the booth, smiling as I recalled Esme’s spot, and how she always did her homework there, but now it was simply a memory.

This place... this diner, it was meant to become my stronghold and an achieved dream even though it was never what I wanted. Yet, amidst everything, it made more sense.

I flinched when I heard a loud crunch.

"What a mess..."

"This dump was once my diner," I gritted out.

I swear to God, if she calls this place a dump one more time, I’m gonna lose it!

How refreshing.

"Do you... What?" She taunted.

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