And Alexi knew it too—he was banking on it. But Athena wasn’t taking any chances. Even if his plea was genuine, even if he truly wanted a second chance, she and Hera both knew there was no future for him in her life.


    Hera had worked too hard to change the course of the novel’s plot. If she wavered now, if she gave in, everything she had fought for would crumble. And she refused to let that happen.


    "Athena, we were once friends. Why do you keep trying to stand between me and Hera?" Alexi’s voice trembled as tears spilled down his cheeks like pearls from a broken string.


    Even the passersby couldn’t help but nce at him with pity. Some of them, feeling soft-hearted, were tempted to speak up in his defense, swayed by the sight of his apparent heartbreak.


    "Miss, don’t stand in the way of their happiness. Mistakes happen all the time—it’s only natural, especially with temptations everywhere. What truly matters is recognizing and taking responsibility for those mistakes. Isn’t it only fair to give someone a second chance if they’re willing to change?" an older woman with a child said, her tone gentle yet firm, as if trying to guide Athena and Hera with her wisdom. A few others in the crowd nodded in agreement, echoing her sentiment.


    "That’s right. Mistakes happen, especially to men in certain positions. Temptation is everywhere, and women flock to them like moths to a me. No matter how much a man tries to resist, even the strongest wall will eventually crumble if it’s pounded on repeatedly. What truly matters is their willingness to change, earn back the trust they lost, and heal the pain they caused," another older woman added, her voice filled with conviction.


    "That’s right! Isn’t it only natural for men to stray? What matters is that theye back home and fulfill their responsibilities as men!" a rugged-looking man shouted from the back. He wore ripped jeans and a ck down jacket, his expression betraying his true nature.


    The way he looked at Hera said it all—he was the type who would never be content with what he had. No matter what was on his te, he’d still eye someone else’s, thinking he should have a taste of that too.


    In short, he was just another man looking for a free pass, unwilling to be held ountable for his actions.


    But unfortunately, Hera and Athena weren’t the type to blindly ept others’ opinions without thinking for themselves.


    Before they could speak, Alexi interjected, "Please, everyone, I don’t want to force her. I just want a chance—just one chance. But that doesn’t mean I want to corner her into giving me one."


    Surprisingly, his words sounded reasonable, almost selfless. Yet his gaze never wavered from Hera, his eyes filled with longing and sincerity, burning like a fire trying to melt through ice.


    Hera found herself momentarily caught in his stare, unable to ignore the memories it stirred. She recalled how Alexi had been back in high school—relentless, passionate, and entirely devoted to her.


    Back then, he was like a ball of fire, always orbiting around her, eager and full of love. It had been the kind of perfect teenage romance one could look back on fondly.


    But that was then, and this was now.


    That’s why she had believed in Alexi’s change—why she had once thought they could build a good life together. They had talked about their future, shared dreams, and back then, Alexi had been gentle and kind to her.


    Although his family had been a challenge, Hera had convinced herself that as long as Alexi remained the same, she could tolerate them. After all, she wasn’tcking in money, and giving them a little of what she had wouldn’t have been a burden.


    But then, the inevitable happened. Hera had to let go, not just for herself but for the people who truly cared about her. She watched as Alexi changed—how he stopped caring about her, how his thoughts revolved solely around himself and his future after tasting sess. He strayed from his promises, forgetting the love and devotion they once shared.


    Though Hera harbored resentment for the pain he had caused, she still held back—perhaps out of respect for the sincerity he once showed in their teenage years.


    She didn’t seek to ruin him entirely; she only fought back enough to ensure he stepped down from his career, losing his position in the city—perhaps even in the nation. But if he had the means, he could have gone abroad and started anew.


    Hera never wanted his life; she only wanted to be as far away from him as possible. That was thest mercy she could grant him—for the sins he had yet tomit but were already written in the novel’s plot.


    But now, as Hera looked at Alexi—the shadow of the boy she once knew—she felt a ripple in her heart. She wasn’t heartless, and Athena was right: she was an empath, deeply emotional. She could always tell when someone was being sincere or merely calcting for their own benefit.


    Unfortunately, Alexi was truly being sincere this time, and that was what unsettled her the most. If he were just manipting her for his own gain, she could have responded in kind, keeping her guard up and shutting him down without hesitation. But this—this was different.