When Dominique's words sank in, Athena's expression shifted. Without warning, she pulled his hands away from her face, her heart rapidly pounding against her chest. Instead of responding, she turned on her heel and bolted, her retreating footsteps echoing through the garden's stone pathway.
Confusion, hurt, and disbelief swirled in her mind as she dashed out of the villa, her breath catching in her throat. She didn't know where she was going—all she knew was that she needed to get away, to put distance between herself and Dominique.
Dominique stayed rooted in his spot as he watched Athena's back.
"What I have done? I scared her away," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head. "I'm so stupid. Where did my confession go wrong?"
He didn't mean to scare her away. Athena's reaction was unexpected. He never imagined that she would suddenly run away after hearing his confession.
