Athena couldn't hold back her choking anymore. She let the mixed emotions consuming her mind as she spitted out whispering softly,

" Stop doing this to me!"

Ethan was a little taken back before replying sternly,

" What did I do?"

Athena snatched back her hand from his grip and distanced themselves far apart. Clutching the burnt finger that was still giving her pain, she asserted her thoughts painfully,

" If you really hate me, please hate me from the core of your heart. Don't act so impulsively and make me feel that you care for me, Ethan. Didn't you want to see me hurt?"

She gulped and resumed lifting her hand in the air gesturing him to see through it,

" See, this mark won't ever leave me even if I want to. My healing powers doesn't work on me. On the day of my engagement, I will be suspected by others that if I have done anything impure or not. That's all, you wanted! Didn't you? Now can you stop putting your fake act for me? I'm ready to repay you but remember that once I'm done, there's no turning back with you. I might be a slut in your eyes but it won't change what am I. "

Ethan listened her painful words quietly and knew that he had hurt her dignity successfully. Averting his eyes from her, he struggled to not look at her anymore that might ruin him internally.

Swallowing back the harsh words that he prepared for her, he answered before turning around,

" Then follow me upstairs inside your room. I need the information regarding the force. Once I'm done avenging, I won't bother you ever."

Athena laughed coldly watching his retreating back and replied,

" Sure! Anything for your avenge!"

Nobody knows Ethan heard the emotions behind her words or not but he continued walking towards the closed door. Once he pulled open the door with a thud, his whole momentum froze discovering the most unexpected person in his life at this moment.

Serena ????

On the contrary, Esme had the same astounded expression that Ethan had on his face. She couldn't believe her own eyes that she would be reunited with his brother in vampire world.

After waiting for Athena inside the guest room, she started feeling anxious that why was she taking so long. Thus she made her way alone towards the pool intending to take a look of her ongoing ritual. Never in her imaginations, she thought that she would meet Ethan here.

Before her overwhelmed happiness could burst out, her eyes pulled backwards to the pitiful state of Athena who stood there in froze too.A towel was wrapped around her soaked figure and she appeared dull mentally. 

 Even though Athena didn't had any tears or harming remarks on her body, Esme's observative eyes didn't miss the burning mark on Athena's ring finger. The scar appeared recently burnt that shaped a round circle around her tiny finger. Furthermore as a woman, she could see the deep pain in her eyes as Esme knitted her brows tightly.

Before Ethan could jump into her arms happily, Esme's expression suddenly darkened before giving him a hard slap. 

PAK!

Athena was startled before staring at Esme widening her eyes. Even Ethan wasn't expecting this slap at all as it took a few moments to register his thoughts.

His face was turned sideway after receiving the slap as he felt his cheeks turning hot eventually. Holding the slapped cheek cautiously, he turned ahead to face Esme's grimaced expression looking at him disdainfully.

Esme held back the urge of slapping him again and asked tightening her lips together,

" What have you done to Athena?"

MOONSHINE CASTLE,

The night had turned deep outside but the domineering man's mind was much darker and lost than the floating clouds above in the sky. His whole silhouette was covered in smoke as he exhaled a puff of smoke from his lavishing hookah. The smokes quickly surrounded his leaning figure hiding his perplexed face as his hooded eyes laid on the sky absentmindedly.

A sudden knock from the door couldn't success to divert his attention as he kept taking puff. Over the door, Jasper had turned tired after knocking for a while and entered afterwards thinking that he might get sick again.

Watching his sitting composure, he felt relieved before reminding sternly when the smokes got his attend,

" My Lord, why did you start smoking? It might affect your health at this critical stage. Stop being so heartless over your health, please."

Aaron didn't give his any explanation instead he asked back,

" Did you find the reason behind Vanessa's blinding?"

Jasper was quite for a moment before reporting nervously,

" Yes, my lord. According to chief healer, her cell inside eyes has been sealed forcefully by any extreme powerful spell that can't be broken away without the person who has done this to her. Do you suspect that..."

Aaron cut off his words letting out another puff through his dry lips,

" Its her. She has done this to her to take revenge probably. She understands her powers now and erased a portion of Vanessa's memory. "

Jasper was shocked for a while and didn't expect that Esme could be so vengeful even though his lord told him several times. Blinking his eyes awkwardly, Jasper reminded him again,

" Then should you tell her everything? Don't forget that you are crossing the third stage. You only have few days in your hand until the new moon appears out."

He paused before reaching near Aaron and suggested cautiously,

" Lord, why don't you reveal her everything? She might forgive you later. I am sure that she won't let you getting died in front of her eyes. "

Aaron coughed dryly before replying back gazing through his concerned eyes,

" Then after she gives me her blood to recover, I will hang her to death. Is that what you 

want? "

Jasper sighed and answered with difficulty,

" But you must choose between your life and her, my lord."

Aaron laughed bitterly taking another puff,

" My life is nothing without her. I have figured it out. She has already told me that she won't forgive me if I do something wrong until she hears the reason. Sure after, she will start hating me. "

Jasper comforted tapping on his shoulder,

" It doesn't mean that she will stop loving you, my lord. "

Aaron hauled up from the soft letting out a low chuckle and answered emotionally,

" When a person loves and hates you at the same time, you know what they do? They just only dissappear from your side Jasper and chose to love you from far away. "