Chapter 185 Rob the House
Athena’s heart raced as she hurried out of the car and toward the old house. The familiar streets of Hugo Alley felt different now, as if the air itself was thick with tension. Maeve’s voice echoed in her mind, her fear palpable. When Athena saw the small, crumbling house at the end of the alley, it seemed as though it had aged even more in the short time since she’d last visited. The front door was half-open, and she could hear voices inside.
Jaxson, followed by the three bodyguards, flanked her, creating a protective presence as they moved swiftly toward the house. The closer they got, the more Athena’s anxiety mounted. She hadn’t expected anything like this—an intruder claiming to be family and threatening to take what was hers.
As they reached the front steps, Maeve appeared at the door, looking worn but determined. She clutched the doorframe, her knuckles white from gripping it so tightly. When she saw Athena, a flicker of relief passed over her face, though her eyes still held a deep unease.
“Athena, thank God you’re here!” Maeve’s voice trembled as she stepped aside, letting Athena and her team enter.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with hostility. Standing near the center of the room was a man, perhaps in his early forties, with a hardened expression and an air of arrogance that Athena immediately disliked. His posture was stiff and commanding as he spoke, his voice rising as he addressed the group.
“This house belongs to my parents, and I’m their only son! They passed away, and now it’s mine!” His words rang out with a mix of anger and entitlement.
Athena’s eyes narrowed. She hadn’t heard of any siblings or relatives on her mother’s side—at least not from her grandparents, nor had Romy ever mentioned a brother. But this man was insisting that he was her uncle.
Maeve spoke up, her voice louder now, “No one’s going anywhere! This house has been Athena’s for years, and you have no right to take it from her!”
Athena took a step forward, her voice calm but firm. “Who are you? My mother’s brother? Because I’ve never heard of you before.”
The man smirked, clearly unbothered by Athena’s directness. “Your mother was my sister, and I’ve been looking for this house for years. You think your grandparents took care of everything? They didn’t. I’ve been trying to get what’s rightfully mine.”
He eyed Athena, sizing her up. “It doesn’t matter how many of you are here. This is a family matter, and I’ll make sure it’s settled.”
Athena felt a surge of disbelief. How could this man have been around and no one had known? It didn’t make sense. And why hadn’t her grandparents mentioned him? Could there have been some reason they kept him hidden from her? Too many questions swirled in her mind.
“I don’t know who you are, but this house is not yours,” Athena replied, her voice steady despite the fury boiling inside her. “You need to leave. Now.”
The man didn’t budge, though his eyes darkened with irritation. “You think you can just chase me off? You’re not even from around here anymore. This is mine, and I won’t leave without it.”
At this, Jaxson stepped forward, his presence commanding. “You’re trespassing on private property. If you don’t leave immediately, we’ll call the authorities.”
The man scoffed, but his bravado wavered when he saw the bodyguards and heard Jaxson’s firm tone. He glanced around, realizing he was outnumbered and outmatched. Still, he wasn’t ready to back down completely.
“Fine,” the man growled, turning to leave. “But you’ll regret this. This isn’t over, girl. This house will be mine.”
Athena felt a wave of relief wash over her as the man stormed out, but it was quickly replaced by confusion and concern. Why had he shown up now, and what was his true motive? What did he want with this house?
Maeve sighed deeply, closing the door behind him. “I’ve never seen someone so determined to steal something that wasn’t theirs. Athena, be careful. This man seems dangerous.”
Athena nodded, her mind still racing. “I don’t understand… how could my mother have a brother I never knew about?”
Maeve looked at her sympathetically. “I don’t know, dear. It’s strange, isn’t it? But I’ve heard rumors, whispers over the years. Maybe he had something to do with your mother’s disappearance—or maybe he’s just after the house now that your grandparents are gone.”
Athena’s thoughts were a whirlwind. There was so much she didn’t know, so many mysteries surrounding her family’s past. “I’ll get to the bottom of this,” she said firmly. “But for now, I’ll have to make sure he doesn’t try something again.”
Jaxson spoke up, “We’ll make sure no one gets near the house without your permission. If he shows up again, we’ll be ready.”
Athena nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Jaxson. Maeve, thank you for standing your ground. I’m sorry you had to deal with this alone.”
Maeve gave a small, shaky smile. “It’s nothing, Athena. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
As Athena left the house, her mind swirled with questions. Who was this man, really? And what was his connection to her family? The answers were out there, but for now, Athena knew one thing: she would protect her home, her family, and her future, no matter the cost.