Wife Swap - S01 E44

6 months ago

Wife Swap - S01 E44

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 44

Athena's pov

I am on my feet early in the morning, I didn't get any sleep. I yawn and rub my eyes as I leave the booking station. They have a luggage area but at owner's risk. I decide to leave my bags there; I think I have lost a lot to be worried about just bags. Overnight I did decide to just get out of there, living under the bridge seems way better.

Whatever answers I was seeking, I found them.

I check my phone again even though I know It is still very early in the morning. I decide to stop by a café and have breakfast as I wait until it is the appropriate time to visit Joy and say goodbye. I find a seat, settle down, and patiently wait for my order. In the meantime, I take out the card Moha gave me and send him a text, suggesting that we meet two hours before my departure. As I sit there, my mind starts to wander, and my twenty-four years of life in this world flash before my eyes. I think about the failures I've attributed to myself, both directly and indirectly. What if I had made different choices? How would my life have unfolded? Would I be married with children? Or perhaps I would have started my own bustling café, just like this one.

I sigh as the waitress serves a slender, steaming cup of black coffee that stands tall before me. It is like she can sense the despair in me. She offers a small smile and heads to serve another customer. I don't know about her or her life, but I envy her. She seems free and fulfilled in this life.

I hate being introspective, it is easier to cry than to allow myself to think. It hurts badly when I do.

An hour later, I am in a taxi heading to the directions Joy gave me. I realize we are entering a very different world as we follow the directions given. I know she is a go-getter and can't settle for mediocrity, I was not prepared for the wealth she married into as we finally get to our destination. My mouth hangs open, she is living while I am just surviving.

I call her and wait to be invited in. The house before me is of exquisite architecture. The gates open and I get in. My feet walk slowly feeling the smoothness of the interlocked stones beneath it. They offer a luxurious feel making me feel like it is a crime to walk on them.

Joy gets out and she has a toddler with her. She bears no resemblance to her mother.

"I am happy you came," She says inviting me in.

"This is Astra.." She introduces us as we walk in.

I pick Astra from her arms. My body is filled with warmth just looking at her. I always wanted kids and it pains me that I have no hope of ever having one.

We get in and Astra wriggles herself to be freed. Once I put her down she rushes towards a man that is approaching us. When she calls him Daddy I realize he is Joy's husband. He is not what I expected. He seems older than her father. She gives me a wary look like she can sense my judgment.

"You must be Athena," I take his hand and greet him. "Welcome." He says and leaves with Astra.

"That is Eric?" I am still in disbelief and he looks too familiar.

"I know, but I couldn't ask for more. Ena." She replies.

"He looks very familiar," I state.

She gazes at me as if contemplating what to say. "You met his wife." She whispers in shame.

"Wife?" I ask in disbelief that my cousin could be a home wrecker. She is capable of causing another woman similar pain I endured.

"Yes," She clarifies with a nervous chuckle. "You remember the woman you always visited at the hospital?" She asks.

I nod as I remember immediately after high school I would spend the majority of time at the hospital, visiting Joy. There was a woman who came in daily and over time as I waited for Joy, I would talk with her. She was sick, with stage four cancer. She told me her biggest regret was never having kids, encouraging me that having a family was more fulfilling. I know she meant well, but building a family made me feel inadequate.

"She died. And before you judge me. I didn't have an affair with him while she was sick. We met again a year later." She states.

I am burdened by grief, remembering each encounter and her face that always had a frail smile.

"I am sorry if I gave you the impression." I apologize.

"It is okay. I am used to being judged." She mutters.

"As long as you are happy, " I comfort her.

"She actually left something for you." She informs and I am surprised. "Remind me to give you later,"

We have brunch and I am forced to eat more than I normally eat. It has been years and Joy with her husband prepared a lot of food just for me.

Playing with Astra makes me miss Jax more. And her irresistible personality like her mother keeps me going and I lose track of time until I see Moha calling, noting several missed calls from Mason.

Time has flown by and I must say goodbye. I tell Joy my plans. She is sad to see me go but relieved that she will see me again since I will no longer be under Mason's control and we can always visit each other. She hands me a box from Eric's wife. "It is best you open it later." She advises and I put it in my bag.

"This is from me," Joy says with a smile as she gives me an envelope.

I take it and peek inside. It is money and it looks like it is a lot. "Go start a new life, I am a call away." She shuts my objection with a long hug. I can hear her sniff on my back and I hold my tears back.

I squat and smile at Astra, "Don't forget me." I say and hug her.

I stand and look over at Erick, "I will drive you," He offers, and I can't say no. They have been so nice to me despite my earlier judgment of him. He seems like an upstanding man.

It is a silent drive until the booking station. He stops the car and looks over at me. "Thank you for bringing joy into my wife's last days." He says.

"She was very motherly to me," I utter.

"She never forgot you." He says and I start to feel overwhelmed by his words.

"Once I am settled I will come to visit again."

"Don't listen to what people say. There is a man for you. And you are deserving and worthy of pure love." He says and I just stare at him. His words sounding like my father's.

"I have to go," I say, instead.

I alight and watch him drive away. When I turn I see Moha waiting on the other side. My heart beats faster walking up to him.