Chapter 6.2

“Uh…” Kirine began, her words caught in her throat. It felt wrong to offer platitudes.

“Do you think I held her hand?” Ares asked, his voice muffled by his hands.

“Hey,” Kirine began, but he cut her off.

“I probably didn’t. No, I couldn’t have…” His broad shoulders, once imposing, slumped in despair.

Kirine had never seen him so broken. Words felt inadequate, so she simply sat with him in silence. Then, a conviction surged through her. “You did hold her hand. Yes, you did,” she declared firmly.

Why is he crying like this? The sight was jarring. This wasn’t the arrogant, self-absorbed Ares she knew. She understood intellectually, but something primal stirred within her. She couldn’t bear to see him in such distress.

“No matter how much of a jerk you are, do you really think you wouldn’t have held your mother’s hand?”

Ares slowly lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers. Her tone was firm. “You held your mother’s hand as she passed, so stop crying.”

“I’m not crying…” he insisted.

“Then wipe your tears and say that,” she retorted.

He scrubbed at his face, his desperate attempt to erase the evidence only serving to redden his already swollen eyes.

“Sasha would have loved to see you like this,” Kirine teased.

Ares shot her a disgruntled look. “Don’t tease me.”

“Well, who told you to cry?” she retorted, unable to suppress a smirk.

Ares was momentarily speechless, his annoyance evident.

With the tension dissipating, Kirine breathed a silent sigh of relief. “Let’s get some sleep before the kid sees something she shouldn’t,” she suggested, gesturing towards the bedroom.

To her surprise, Ares nodded in agreement. As they walked towards their rooms, Kirine couldn’t shake the odd sensation of walking a puppy home. The feeling persisted as she prepared for bed.

Why did I feel sorry for him? she wondered, unable to sleep. The image of his vulnerability replayed in her mind. No, of course I felt sorry for him. His mother just passed away. It was a natural human response, she reasoned. Why else would her heart ache for someone who was once her enemy?

***

The next morning, Ares headed to the kitchen, intent on preparing breakfast, only to find the table already laid with food. “What’s this?” he inquired, his surprise evident.

Kirine responded nonchalantly, “It’s something to help you feel better. No need to thank me.”

Ares stared at the spread: a steaming omelet, a bowl of vegetable stew, and perfectly cooked bacon. “You said you couldn’t cook, but it seems you’ve been lying to me,” he observed.

Despite the simplicity of the meal, it seemed almost extravagant to Ares. “When I said I couldn’t cook, I meant by my standards,” Kirine clarified. “By the way, where’s Sasha?”

“She’s still asleep,” Kirine replied. “Since we don’t have to work today, let’s let her sleep in.”

Only after Kirine’s insistence did Ares cautiously sit down. “Well… I’ll give it a try,” he stated hesitantly. He took a spoonful of stew, and Kirine watched him intently, her mouth suddenly dry with anticipation.

After tasting the stew, Ares moved on to the omelet. His expression slowly transformed, and a satisfied smile crept onto Kirine’s face. “How is it?” she asked eagerly.

Ares’ response was unexpected. “Wow, this is really terrible!” he exclaimed. Kirine’s smile vanished. “What did you put in this food to make it taste so bad?” he continued, his tone incredulous. “The stew is bitter, and the omelet is sour. Such a unique flavor. I’ve never tasted anything like it in my life!”

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