five chances at 23

Posted by Adminh, ? Views, Released on March 6, 2025

Chapter 23

“How are you? When do you plan to head home?” I inquired, and she responded with a smirk.

“I can head home today, Ana. Why not try apologizing to mom and going back to our place to get updated,” she casually remarked.

I nodded and brushed off her suggestion. Despite wanting to apologize and return home, my pride held me back, especially at this moment. It felt like they were against me, and I was at a loss about what to do.

“Where are you staying?” Ares asked me, chuckling as I looked at him.

“I thought you had no interest in asking that,” I said bitterly, turning my gaze away. I noticed a frown forming on his forehead.

“I’m staying at Elena’s place and came here to get my bruise checked. Just in case you’re curious,” I mentioned nonchalantly, making his forehead furrow even more.

“What are you implying? I tried asking you yesterday, but you didn’t tell me anything,” he replied sternly,

sounding somewhat upset.

My shoulders slumped completely upon hearing that. “Really? That wasn’t clear to me, Ares. You never even mentioned that you were coming here. I assumed you were occupied with other matters.” I couldn’t hold back my anger, feeling as if he didn’t care.

“And what exactly are you trying to say, Ana? That Constantine isn’t allowed to visit me here? It’s true, as mom said, you’re selfish,” Agatha retorted, prompting me to shift my gaze to her.

I glanced back and forth between the two of them and then forced a smile. “Constantine? I thought you disliked being called that. What’s changed?” I asked Ares, who avoided looking at me, causing my chest to tighten further.

Before anyone could react, I felt a presence beside me. Ares seemed startled when he saw the man next to

me. There was a surge of anger in his eyes.

“I thought you’d left,” Apollo remarked. I bit my lower lip and still couldn’t bring myself to look at him.

“What the heck are you doing here?” Ares demanded firmly, surprising me. I sensed an unusual anger in his voice, so I focused my gaze on the two of them.

Apollo merely smirked at him and glanced at Agatha, who, like me, was clueless about what was going on.

“Fancy meeting you here… with another woman,” Apollo commented.

Chapter 21

My heart raced as I looked between the two of them. Did they know each other?

There’s only one thing I can’t fathom about myself, a trait I never wanted in my life the ability to comprehend everything, even when it’s profoundly unfair to me.

I walked out of that hospital with reluctance. Apollo kept calling out to me, but I paid no heed. Elena was leaning against a car and swiftly approached me upon seeing me.

“What happened? Did you see him?” she inquired urgently. I simply nodded and averted my gaze.

“He’s with Agatha. I’ll head home first to gather my things,” I told her indifferently and walked past her to

hail a taxi.

But before I could take a step, a warm hand gripped my arm. When I turned to see who it was, I felt an added weight.

“Where are you going? I’m still talking to you,” he said emphatically, clearly upset with me. I noticed Elena staring at me while Apollo stood behind her, looking at me sternly. I turned to Ares.

“I am going home.”

“Why are you with him? Do you know who he is?” His tone remained angry.

The way he looked at me and how he tightly gripped my already sore arm hurt me. I didn’t understand what had angered him.

“I–It hurts…” I almost whispered, trying to free my arm from his grip, but it only tightened, making me

frown.

“Answer my question, Anastacia. Why are you with him?”

“He came with me for a check–up because my own boyfriend didn’t care about me! Is that what you want

to hear?” I could no longer hold back my words, given the pain I was experiencing.

He scrutinized me even harder, so I pushed him forcefully and bit my lip to stifle my tears.

“What?” He seemed incredulous about what I had said, so I laughed even more.

“I don’t even know him. He’s a stranger to me, but he cares more about my well–being. I was beaten up by Matthew after attempting to retrieve your money from them. I was also kicked out. Is that enough for you? If so, go back to my sister because she needs you more. I guess I missed the part about how you two suddenly became so close,” I finally told him, turning my back on him.

I took a deep breath as I walked away from them. Even when Elena called after me, I ignored her, still holding onto hope that Ares would come after me.

Chap 20

Once again, I was disappointed. Sporting a taxi, I stopped and got in, seething with resentment towards him. I bit my lower lip, trying to suppress my anger, but even that attempt disappointed me.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away. Damn. This was the first time we had been like this and for such a reason. I didn’t understand why, but I knew that when he explained it to me, t would still accept it.

1

When I got home, there was no usual greeting. I went straight to my room and began packing my things. Once I finished, I headed out and spotted my bag. I picked it up immediately and searched for my cell phone.

At that moment, my older brother suddenly appeared and was visibly surprised to see me. His sharp gaze made me nervous and scared. I thought he had something to say, but he just walked past me, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Returning my attention to my cell phone, I saw a few texts from Ares and an unknown number that I already recognized.

Love

Where are you? Why haven’t you been answering your phone?

Love

I’ve already talked to your mom. It’s fine, Ana. Don’t worry too much.

Love

I’m going to visit your sister.

Those were the messages I received from him on different days. Next, I read numerous texts from the

Unknown Number, to which I had not replied.

Unknown Number

Where the hell are you? I was in your office.

Unknown Number:

You should be more careful now. You have a weak immune system, yet you’re still stubborn.

Unknown Number:

Take your damn medicine, Anastacia Solei.

Unknown Number:

Chapter 23

I’m at the parking lot…

Unknown Number:

Right. You don’t have your phone right now. The slovenly.

I chuckled at that word. I couldn’t picture him saying it; he was so proficient in English. Such words just didn’t suit him. As I continued reading, I abruptly stopped when I felt my older brother’s gaze on me.

“Where are you headed with all your belongings?” His voice sent shivers down my body.

The fear in my heart instantly returned as I looked at him. The color of the bruises on his face had lightened, and the swelling of his mouth had subsided. Who could have done this to him?

“Are you leaving?” He asked again, and I quickly avoided his gaze.

“That’s what you want, brother. I’ve always grown up following your wishes,” I responded, arranging my

things.

I was ready to leave when I halted once more at his words.

“That man, did you order him to do this to me?”

I looked back at him, frowning. “Huh?”

He peered deeper and approached me, and I immediately backed away.

“Did you instruct him to beat me for what I did to you? You’re hiding some courage there, huh,” he accused, and my nervousness escalated.

I couldn’t even comprehend who he was referring to because of the fear I was engulfed in. Before he could come any closer, I swiftly left the house.

“I–I don’t know what you’re saying,” I stammered, trembling. I heard him laugh.

“Tell your man to be ready because when I see him, I will damn well end him,” he threatened, and I was almost petrified.

“That’s right. Get out of here. You don’t matter. You are the reason why our lives are so chaotic. I wish it was you who died and not papa,” he spat and disappeared from my sight.

I sighed, my grip on my cell phone tightening as my brain replayed his words. My chest started to ache again. It felt like someone was choking me due to my sore throat. I felt like I was suffocating, as if I was being slowly killed from within.