And that was precisely why she let Athena step in. Their years of friendship had forged an unspoken understanding between them, so without needing a single word, Athena already knew what to do.
"Alexi, you know exactly where Hera draws the line. You knew it when you were with her," Athena said, her tone firm but not unkind. "Cheating wasn't a mistake—it was a choice. If it had been a simple mistake, she would have forgiven you without hesitation, without you even needing to ask for a second chance. That's just who she is."
She crossed her arms, eyes steady on him. "But you didn't just make a mistake—you cheated. And worse, you hurt her in ways you can't take back. If you wanted out, you could've been honest."
