The Bigshot's Superstar Wife

Chapter 81: A Meal with You

Athena slowly stirred awake, the warmth surrounding her making her reluctant to open her eyes.

A steady heartbeat thrummed against her ear, a comforting rhythm that soothed her even before full consciousness set in.

She shifted slightly, only to feel strong arms tightening around her, keeping her close.

A deep inhale from the man beside her sent shivers down her spine, and she knew exactly where she was.

Her gaze slowly traveled upward, and she found herself staring into the face of Mors, his features relaxed in sleep, his dark lashes resting against his skin.

His grip around her waist was secure, as if even in sleep, he refused to let her go.

It was different from the first time they had shared a bed before her death, this time, there was something grounding about it, something that made her feel safe.

She took a deep breath, reminding herself that this was real. She was back. And Mors was still here, alive, breathing beside her, not her lying lifeless on a battlefield overrun by Zergs.

She tightened her fingers against the fabric of his shirt as if reassuring herself that this was reality.

But her slight movement caused him to stir. His brow furrowed slightly, and with a soft sigh, he opened his eyes, their deep gaze locking onto hers immediately.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke, merely looking at each other as the haze of sleep faded. Then, his arms pulled her closer.

"You’re awake," he murmured, his voice deep and husky from sleep.

"So are you," she whispered back.

A small silence stretched between them before Mors exhaled heavily and brushed a hand over her hair, his touch lingering. "Did you sleep well?"

Athena hesitated. "I... I did, eventually."

He studied her, his gaze sharp despite his grogginess. "No more nightmares?"

"Not after you held me," she admitted. A warmth crept into her cheeks as she realized how vulnerable that sounded, but she didn’t take it back.

Mors hummed, his fingers continuing their gentle strokes along her back. "Good. You need rest."

For a moment, Athena simply lay there, allowing herself to indulge in the warmth of his presence. But the moment was soon interrupted by the low growl of her stomach.

Mors raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching. "Hungry?"

They continued eating in comfortable silence, though Athena couldn’t shake the feeling that things were changing between them.

The way Mors was watching over her, the way he spoke as if he had every intention of keeping her by his side, it felt different from the distant, calculated man she had first met.

As she sipped her tea, she looked up at him once more. "Thank you," she said softly.

Mors raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For taking care of me."

His expression softened ever so slightly. "You’re my wife. It’s my responsibility."

Athena chuckled. "You make it sound like an obligation."

Mors set his cup down and leaned forward slightly. "It’s not."

Their eyes met, and at that moment, Athena felt something shift between them, an unspoken understanding, a quiet acknowledgment of everything they had been through and everything they still had to face.

And for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could make this work again.

Athena lowered her gaze, focusing on the swirling tea in her cup. The warmth seeped into her fingers, grounding her thoughts as she absorbed Mors’ words.

He had always been a man of duty, someone who did what was necessary without hesitation.

But there was something different in the way he said it this time, something softer, more personal.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "You weren’t always this gentle," she remarked, lifting her eyes to meet his again.

Mors tilted his head slightly, as if considering her words. "People change," he said simply.

Athena scoffed playfully. "You? Change? I thought the great Major General Mors was as rigid as a battle formation."

His lips quirked slightly, the closest thing to amusement she had seen from him in a long time. "Perhaps you’re an exception."

The words sent a strange flutter through her chest, and she quickly took another sip of tea to distract herself.

She wasn’t used to this side of him. Before, he had always been composed, and indifferent.

Now, it felt like he was truly paying attention, as if he saw her, not just as his assigned wife, but as Athena.