Chapter 115: Chapter 115

I and Adonis were both taken aback by the way she raced inside the cabin. We stood there motionless. I, too, dashed inside the house. I intervened as Adonis was ready to follow, fearing that Athen would get even more angry.

"I'll speak with her first, and I will tell you whether or not you should speak with her."

When I saw his face, I cupped my hands over it like if he were already depressed. I smiled at him and assured that everything would be alright and that he had nothing to be anxious about. When I returned to the cabin, a peaceful inside welcomed me in. Because it was so silent, it was easy to hear Athen's sobs coming through the walls. I glanced around the room where she was weeping, but I couldn't find her anywhere. I came to a complete halt and paid attention to where the sobbing was coming from. I proceeded step by step till I reached my destination: the kitchen.

I couldn't help but giggle since the hiding space she was using was the kitchen cupboard where the airbed had been hidden recently. It was my intention not to open the cabinet right away because I didn't want her to be terrified of what I was about to do. Every time she makes a mistake, I want her to be free of fear. I want her to understand what is wrong with her and how to apologize with an open heart. When I gently tapped on the cabinet door, I could hear the stillness of her sobbing.

"Athens?" I called to her in hushed tones, but she did not respond. "Athens, do you mind if we talk?" I did not show or even tell her that she had anything to panic about. I had to wait for her to open the door for a few minutes before she did. When she walked out the door, she dropped her head, and I could still hear her little sobbing.

I embraced her right after, and she hugged me right back, but she didn't weep any more after that. When I was brushing her hair using my fingers, I noticed her damp eyes and red nose. She likewise raised her eyes to mine. "Can you tell me why you're crying?" I inquired of her as if no one else was aware of the situation.

"'m sorry," she whispered.

I haven't spoken anything about it yet, but she has shown regret. Because I left her alone in this place, I should be the first to apologize. She was still a child, and it's possible that a lot of terror had built up in her chest. She wiped her eyes so I helped her.

"First, mommy is sorry because I left you without informing you." I'm caressing her hair. "But, are you sorry because you realize you've made a mistake, or are you sorry because you realize I'm angry?"

She looked into my eyes as though she were puzzled. I had to get her out of the kitchen since I was having trouble crouching on the floor. We proceeded straight to the bedroom, where I noticed that Adonis had not returned yet.

"You have to understand that there is a distinction between those two things. Those who apologize just because they know the person they sinned against would be furious but does not accurately reflect their actions."  I took her into my arms and placed her on my lap. " “Others, on the other hand, apologize because they know they are wrong, and for these people, they are the ones with a gentle heart because it takes courage to say sorry to someone who springs from the heart and is not forced. Now, which of the two I mentioned are you?”

Her emerald eyes shone brightly as she raised her head to gaze at me. It was as though I could see a glimpse of Adonis's youth in her. She returned her eyes to her fingers she was now massaging and seemed to be pondering. "At first, I want to convey my sorry because I don't want you to be upset with me and Mister too." She raised her eyes to mine once again. "However, I'd want to apologize now because I'd like to acknowledge my mistake."

Because of what she said, I couldn't help but grin. I messed up her hair, and she closed her eyes as a result of this. "So, what are you planning to do?"  In order to keep a smile from slipping from my lips, I raised an eyebrow. She stepped down from her seat on my lap and took a position in front of me.

"I'm going to make amends with Mister."

“Wait. Why do you continue to address him as mister? He is your biological father."

We were both staring at each other and laughing at the same moment, which was hilarious. Before we eventually left the cabin, I held her close to me and murmured something. The moment we got out of the house, I wandered my eyes and looked for Adonis, who I found seated by the seaside. Despite the fact that we were running towards him, he was completely unaware that we were approaching him. When we came closer, I let out a scream.

“ADONIS!”

While I was smiling, he turned his head to face us. He rose to his feet and brushed away the dirt that had accumulated on his jeans. Athen removed my grip on her hand and she ran towards Adonis. His father, too, made the step to Athens to approach her. I simply stood there and observed them since it was hard for me to hear them due to the wind and waves. Adonis grabbed up and embraced Athen, and Athen matched the hug with her own. I came to a complete stop because I wanted to see them from a distance.

I stopped and watched as Adonis's eyes widened and Athen chuckled. His gaze was drawn to mine, and I did nothing but nod. Even from a distance, I could see the tears streaming down his cheeks.  To see them happy has been my goal throughout the whole process. They were both sprinting towards me, and I was completely unaware that they were already in front of me. Adonis wrapped his arms around me, and I could hear his soothing voice.

"She called me d-dad." His voice broke when he finished what he was saying. Even though I couldn't say anything, I held them both tightly. This has all happened so quickly, it's hard to believe it's happened. No words can describe how thrilled the butterflies in my stomach felt, as if they hadn't been freed from the agony of yesterday and past for more than a decade.

But I don't want to bask in the enjoyment I'm experiencing now because I'm worried that something atrocious will happen tomorrow or the following day.