---- Chapter 23 Athena POV: As | lay in bed, my cheeks grew hotter and hotter. The realization dawned on me, slow and then all at once. Eliot liked me. He didn't just like me as a friend. He liked me. It was suddenly so obvious. The way he always remembered my favorite coffee order. The way he could finish my sentences. The way he had bought an apartment for me, "just in case." All those years, all those small, thoughtful gestures ... they weren't just him being a good friend. A wave of emotion, so potent it made me dizzy, washed over me. Tears pricked at my eyes. | thought about his quiet, unwavering support, the safe harbor he had offered me without ever asking for anything in return. | pulled myself out of bed and went to the living room. | shouldn't. | couldn't. | was a mess, a walking disaster zone of trauma and trust issues. But my feet carried me across the hall, and my hand was knocking on his door before my brain could stop it. He opened it, looking surprised. He was holding a bouquet of stargazer lilies. ---- "l, uh," he stammered, his usual eloquence deserting him. "These are for you." He thrust them at me. "I just... | wanted you to know," he said, his voice low and earnest, his eyes locked on mine. "I'm in love with you, Athena. | think | have been for years." He held up a hand before | could speak. "You don't have to say anything back," he said quickly. "| know you've been through hell. | just... | needed you to know." He reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "| will always be here for you. No matter what. Now go. Go be the brilliant, amazing artist you were always meant to be." He gave me a sad, sweet smile, and then gently closed the door, leaving me standing in the hallway with a bouquet of my favorite flowers and a heart that felt like it was about to beat out of my chest. | took the flowers back to my apartment, their sweet scent filling the space. He must have had them flown in overnight. A slow, genuine smile spread across my face. The next few days were a blur of interviews and meetings. My exhibition was a massive success, and offers were pouring in But | couldn't focus. My mind kept drifting back to Eliot. | was getting ready to go out one afternoon, hoping a walk would clear my head, when my best friend called. "So," she said, her voice practically singing with glee, "are you ---- going to tell me, or do | have to see it on the internet?" "Tell you what?" | asked, confused. "That you and Eliot Serrano are officially a thing!" "What? We're not..." | began, but she cut me off. "Check the gossip sites. Now." | hung up and, with a sense of dread, opened my web browser. My own name was trending, right next to Eliot's. | clicked the link. The screen filled with a photo of us from the night of the exhibition. It was a paparazzi shot, taken from a strange angle. It looked like he was leaning in to kiss me, his arms wrapped around me in a protective embrace. In reality, he had just been draping his jacket over my shoulders. My phone rang again. It was Eliot. "Athena," he said, his voice rushed and panicked, "| am so sorry. I've already had my legal team get the photo taken down. | swear | didn't arrange for anyone to be there." A laugh bubbled up from my throat. "Eliot, relax," | said, a wide grin spreading across my face. "I know you didn't." | paused, my heart suddenly pounding. "Were you worried | would think you did?" He was silent fora moment. "My... my father wants to see you," he stammered, changing the subject so abruptly it was ---- almost comical. "I'll be there in thirty minutes to pick you up." He hung up before | could reply. | just stared at my phone, a warm, happy feeling spreading through me. Half an hour later, | locked my apartment door and was about to call him when a cloth was clamped over my mouth and nose from behind. The world dissolved into a sickeningly sweet-smelling darkness. | woke up in a familiar, damp cellar. My hands and feet were bound. Ahand grabbed my chin, forcing my head up. My eyes widened in terror. It was Hardin. He looked unhinged, his eyes bloodshot, a wild, desperate look on his face. "l saw the pictures," he rasped, his voice a low, threatening growl. "You're with him now." "It's not what you think," | stammered. "It doesn't matter," he hissed, his thumb stroking my lip in a gesture that was meant to be possessive but was just terrifying. "You belong to me. Only me." "You're insane," | breathed, recoiling from his touch. He laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. "Maybe | am. They took my company, Athena. Kicked me out. All | have left is you." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ---- "So I'm going to take care of our little problem. Your friend, Eliot. Once he's gone, we can be together. Forever." The sheer, chilling madness in his voice made my blood run cold. "You're a criminal, Hardin," | spat. "This is kidnapping." He just smiled, a slow, terrifying smile. "We're in a different country now, my love. No one knows we're here. No one will ever find us." Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. 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