Azrael's chest rose sharply. Part of him wanted her to yell. To slap him. To tell him he was wrong. She did none of it.
After what felt like forever, she spoke. "...Is that really what you think of me?"
The question was quiet. And it was breaking what's left of Azrael's heart.
Azrael parted his lips instinctively, but nothing came out. Every explanation he wanted to give died in his throat the second he met her eyes.
Athena let out a slow breath and gave a small nod, almost as if she'd answered the question herself. "I see."
She lowered her gaze for only a second before lifting it again."I thought meeting my father would answer a lot of questions."
A faint smile touched her lips, though there wasn't a trace of amusement behind it. "I didn't expect it to create so many more." She held his gaze without wavering. "If that's the conclusion you've reached..." She paused for a brief moment. "...then I won't waste my time trying to change your mind."
