Chapter 303: A Tempting Offer
Athena watched Aaron sleeping in her lap. She couldn’t help but smile as she gently stroked her son’s head. Finally, she could call him her son.
’No more hiding. No more holding back. My son is with me now. He knew that I was his biological mother. We can have a fresh start.’
Athena was accomplishing her goals one by one. They managed to reclaim their father’s company. She seduced Dominique, trying to ruin his marriage with Sasha. Dominique cheated on Sasha and Athena dumped him after he fell for her.
’I got my revenge on them. But why am I not happy?’ Athena thought to herself.
Even though she deceived Dominique in order to take the company back, Athena didn’t see the reaction she wanted from him.
She wanted him to get mad and regret trusting her. But she kept wondering why Dominique wasn’t affected at all when the company was taken away from him.
Athena clenched her teeth as she thought about Dominique and Sasha.
’This is not enough! I should let them know that the one who deceives them is Sabrina Williams, the woman they betrayed. It will be a big slap on their faces.’
"Mommy?" Aaron’s voice snapped her out of her deep thoughts.
"Aaron, my son. I’m sorry, did I wake you?" she looked at him apologetically.
But Aaron shook his head. "Mommy, I’ve slept enough. I don’t want your leg to get numb. Come here. Lie down and sleep with me."
The young boy sat up and patted the space next to him.
Athena nodded. "Alright. It’s already late. Time to sleep."
Athena set aside her negative thoughts as she focused on her son. She lay beside him and cuddled him in her arms.
Aaron closed his eyes once again. Athena thought her son had gone back to sleep, however, he suddenly spoke up and asked her.
"Mommy. Have you seen my biological father?"
Aaron couldn’t help but think about his father. Part of him felt a little bit jealous because Kimmy finally found her biological father.
Athena wasn’t able to reply right away. Her heart constricted as she knew that Aaron had been yearning for a father’s love. She couldn’t avoid his question forever. Furthermore, her son was pretty smart.
"Do you want to meet your father?" Athena asked him in return. She had conflicting thoughts right now.
Though Aaron was close to Dominique, she couldn’t deny the fact that Dominique once wanted to get rid of Aaron. He demanded Athena to abort their son. It was something she wouldn’t be able to forget and forgive.
Understanding his mother’s feelings, Aaron shook his head. "I’m sorry, Mom for mentioning my father. I know you hate him. I won’t do it again."
Athena felt a tinge of pain in her heart when Aaron said those words. She knew that her son was just being considerate of her. Deep down, he still wanted to know who his biological father was.
’What should I do? Should I deny him the truth? But there is no use in telling him about Dominique. After this, I want to leave York City and start a new life with Aaron... and perhaps... together with Vladimir.’
Athena was considering accepting Vladimir’s love. She would like to try and open her heart once again. Maybe, with the help of Vladimir, she could finally give closure to her past love.
She had to forget about Dominique to move forward! However, there was something in her heart she couldn’t explain. Dominique still lingered on her mind even right now. She hated him... but she was still thinking about him.
’Don’t be confused, Athena! Don’t be a fool!’ Athena reprimanded herself.
She just closed her eyes and hugged Aaron until they both fell asleep.
*****
At Golden Villa...
Meanwhile, Dominique was still sitting in his study with a glass of whisky in his hand. He hadn’t recovered yet from the revelation he found out today.
’Miguel Ivankov is my real foster father. My hidden benefactor. And he happens to be Vladimir’s father.’
Dominique could still remember the moment he rescued Miguel when he was just fifteen years old. He saved the Leader of the Ivankov Clan without knowing his real identity.
He didn’t expect that the person who helped him recover and attain his goal of avenging his family was the father of his love rival, Vladimir Ivankov.
Dominique let out a humorless chuckle as he recalled Miguel’s words earlier. His mind brought him back to his conversation with Miguel earlier.
"Dominique, my son. I know you are the only one who will never betray me. My own son fought against me just because of a woman! He cut ties with me just because he wanted to marry Athena. He even gave up his right to succession."
Dominique froze when he heard those words.
’Does it mean... Vladimir and Athena are planning to get married. I can’t understand. I thought they were already husband and wife. Athena already has the surname Ivankov.’
’Did Athena already accept his marriage proposal?’ Dominique clenched his fists at that thought.
"Dominique, I want you to become my heir... and the next leader of the Ivankov Clan. I am willing to give this position to you. You are my adopted son." Miguel gave him this tempting offer.
’No. This is not what I want. Just like Vladimir, I can give up everything just to have Athena and Aaron.’ Dominique thought as he kept his silence. He didn’t respond to Miguel’s offer at all.
"Accept this, Dominique. And I promise... I will help you get custody of your son, Aaron. You can take him away from Athena."
Dominique was rendered speechless upon hearing that. It looked like Miguel had already learned the truth about Aaron’s biological parents.
"That woman stole my son away from me. So I have to teach her a lesson. It’s an eye for an eye. We will take Aaron away from her! Just agree with me. Become my heir!" Miguel didn’t conceal his true motive.
Making Dominique the heir of the Ivankov Clan was part of his revenge against his children, Vladimir and Lanny. He would also use Dominique to take Aaron back.
When Dominique heard his last offer, he wavered for a moment. The offer was very tempting. But he knew that taking away Aaron would hurt Athena badly.
"I’m still shaken by this. I need time to think it over." Dominique responded to Miguel. He needed to be careful when making a major decision about this.
"Alright. I’ll give you a week. I hope this is enough for you to make up your mind."
Miguel Ivankov was a proud man. He wouldn’t be merciful to the people who deceived him even if they were his own blood.
He hoped Dominique would cooperate with him. He knew that Dominique and Athena had a history because she was Aaron’s mother. But Miguel didn’t think that Dominique was still in love with Athena.
Ring! Ring!
The ringing sound of his phone brought him back to the present. He frowned upon seeing the caller ID but he still answered the phone.
"Hello Ashton, what do you want?"
"Dom! Sasha committed suicide! Come to the York City District Hospital right now!"