Stolen love: In love with my sister 's fiance-Chapter 61

Back at the hotel, Ryan gently tucked Athena into bed, brushing a strand of hair from her peaceful face before stepping out of the room. As he made his way to the kitchen, he found Elaine standing by the counter, a half-filled glass of wine in her hand. The dim glow of the kitchen lights cast a soft shadow on her face.

Without a word, he grabbed a glass and poured himself a drink before settling into the seat across from her. "You look deep in thought," he remarked, swirling the wine in his glass.

Elaine exhaled, a small smile playing on her lips. "Just thinking about how life turned out," she admitted. "Olivia... she's different now. That confident woman, the one who once had everything, she's gone." She let out a quiet chuckle. "And Alex... he has a son now."

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Ryan studied her for a moment before hesitating. "He asked about you."

Elaine turned to him, arching a brow. "And what did you say?"

Ryan took a slow sip before responding, "That he doesn't deserve to know."

A flicker of amusement crossed her face. "You did well," she said softly.

They sat in silence for a moment before Elaine tilted her head and looked at him. "And you? How are you?"

Ryan gulped down his drink, leaning back against his chair. "Mary's getting married."

Elaine's smile faltered slightly, a touch of sadness in her eyes. "I know that feeling," she murmured. But then, her expression softened. "But you know what? You should be proud of yourself. You thought about giving up once because they loved each other, and yet, you stood by her happiness. She's truly happy with him—I could see it."

Ryan let out a heavy breath. "Not everyone gets to end up with their first love the way Mary did," he admitted.

Elaine nodded, her gaze distant. "Some of us just have a different fate."

Ryan looked at her meaningfully. "And now? If Athena's father is alive, what will you do?"

Elaine hesitated, staring down at her glass. "Nothing," she whispered. "If he ever comes face to face with me, I don't know if I'd even have the words. The guilt... it's too much." She let out a shaky breath. "He might not want a woman like me anymore. Someone with so much baggage. He deserves a life with someone who can give him nothing but love, without the weight of the past."

Ryan watched her closely, but he didn't argue. Instead, he poured them both another drink. Because deep down, they both knew—life had a way of forcing people to face the things they tried to run from.

Both sat in silence for a while, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. The night stretched long, and the past lingered in the air like an old wound that never truly healed.

Ryan finished his drink and let out a quiet sigh. "You should get some rest," he said, standing up.

Elaine nodded, glancing toward Athena's room. She hesitated before finally pushing herself off the chair. "Yeah, you too."

Without another word, they both turned toward their respective rooms. Elaine gently closed her door behind her, leaning against it for a moment before walking toward Athena's bed. The soft rise and fall of her daughter's breathing filled the quiet space.

She sat beside her, brushing a few loose strands of hair away from Athena's small face. Her fingers lingered on her cheek, tracing the features that weren't entirely her own. Every time she looked at her daughter, she was reminded of the past—the nine months she carried her, feeling every kick, every movement, wondering if she was making the right decision.

Back then, the pain of betrayal and heartbreak had threatened to consume her, but the moment she first held Athena in her arms, everything changed. She had been so tiny, so fragile, yet so full of life. And now, looking at her, she could see it so clearly—Athena looked more like him than her.

The same sharp jawline, the same delicate yet strong features, and most of all, those piercing grey eyes. The same ones that had once looked at her with love. The same ones that haunted her in her dreams.

Elaine swallowed hard, blinking back the emotions welling up inside her. It didn't matter. The past was done. She had built a life for herself, for Athena. She had survived.

Pulling the blanket over her daughter, she leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before slipping into bed beside her. Wrapping her arms around the small body, she held her close, as if grounding herself in the present.

Meanwhile, in his own room, Ryan lay staring at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts. The silence of the night stretched endlessly, but neither of them truly slept.