The Bigshot's Superstar Wife - Chapter 172

Chapter 172: Touch Her and Die
Athena rubbed her sore wrists, the faint redness still marking where the ropes had held her.

Xavier stood before her, his sharp eyes softened by a gentle smile that made her heart waver.

It was strange. The intensity in his gaze, the way he looked at her, as if she was more precious than the world itself, made her feel something unfamiliar.

A connection she couldn’t remember, yet couldn’t ignore.

“You’re free to move around now,” Xavier said, his voice low and steady. “Come with me. I’ll show you to your room.”

Athena hesitated for a moment before following him down the dimly lit hallway. The villa was vast yet eerily silent, with its high ceilings and marble floors amplifying their footsteps.

He stopped in front of a wooden door and pushed it open.

“This will be your room,” he said, stepping aside for her to enter. “It’s right next to mine.”

She stepped inside, her eyes scanning the space. It was luxurious, with a king-sized bed, a velvet couch, and a dressing table near the large window.

The wardrobe doors were slightly ajar, revealing an array of elegant clothing. It was as if the room had been waiting for her return.

“You’ll find fresh clothes in the closet,” Xavier continued. “Take your time. Rest if you need to.”

She turned to face him, searching his face for answers. “Why are you doing this?”

He tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “Because you are mine, Athena. You always have been.”

Her breath caught in her throat, but before she could respond, he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Alone, she sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing her temples. Mine? The word echoed in her mind, stirring something deep within her, but no memory surfaced.

No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t grasp the past he spoke of. The next morning, when Athena awoke, the villa was quiet.

She stepped out of her room, expecting to see Xavier, but he was nowhere to be found. Instead, she was greeted by two elderly women who smiled warmly at her.

“Good morning, Miss Athena,” one of them said. “Breakfast is ready. You must be hungry.”

Athena blinked in confusion. “Who are you?”

The other woman chuckled. “We’re just the caretakers of the house. You can call me Nanny Faye, and this is Nanny Elise.”

Athena hesitated before nodding. The two women led her to the dining room, where a lavish breakfast had been prepared.

As she ate, she could feel their kind eyes watching her, treating her as though she had always belonged here. Yet, when she glanced out the window, her stomach twisted.

The sky was a dull gray, heavy clouds looming over the horizon. Beyond the courtyard, men in uniform stood guard, their rifles at the ready. The atmosphere was tense, suffocating.

Athena put down her fork. “Where is Xavier?”

Nanny Faye smiled gently. “The master had urgent matters to attend to, but he’ll return soon.”

Something about her tone made Athena uneasy. She pushed back her chair and stood. “I want to go outside.”

Elise hesitated. “I’m afraid that’s not possible, Miss Athena.”

Athena’s gaze darkened. “Why?”

Elise exchanged a glance with Faye before responding carefully. “For your safety, dear.”

Athena narrowed her eyes. Safety? Was she being protected, or imprisoned?

She moved toward the door, but the moment she stepped outside, the guards immediately straightened, watching her every move.

Her fingers curled into fists. She despised the feeling of being caged, the sensation of being controlled.

Taking a deep breath, she turned away and walked toward the greenhouse at the back of the villa.

Inside, the scent of fresh soil and blooming flowers filled the air, bringing a small sense of calm to her restless mind.

If Xavier was truly someone important to her, why did she feel like a prisoner here? Why couldn’t she remember anything about him?

Suddenly, a sharp sound echoed through the air. Gunfire.

Athena’s body tensed. She turned toward the direction of the sound, her instincts screaming danger. The guards at the front of the villa rushed forward, moving in formation.

Then, another shot rang out, this time, much closer.

She didn’t think. She sprinted back toward the house, but before she could reach the door, a strong hand wrapped around her wrist.

“Don’t move,” a deep voice whispered.

Athena’s body stiffened as she turned her head. A man dressed in black, his face partially covered by a mask, stood behind her. His grip on her wrist tightened.

“Come with me quietly,” he ordered. “Unless you want this to turn ugly.”

Athena’s heart pounded. She didn’t know who he was or why he was here, but one thing was certain, she wasn’t going to be taken without a fight.

In one swift motion, she twisted her body, using her free hand to strike at his throat.

He stumbled back, coughing, but before he could recover, she grabbed a nearby flower pot and smashed it against his head.

He grunted, staggering, but he was fast, too fast. Within seconds, he regained his balance and lunged at her.

Athena ducked, rolling away just as another shot fired in the distance. She had no weapon, no way to defend herself properly. Her only option was to run.

She bolted toward the villa, but before she could reach the door, a second man appeared, blocking her path.

“Going somewhere, princess?” he sneered.

Athena’s breath came in sharp gasps. Her mind raced. Think, Athena, think!

Then, just as the first man lunged at her again, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. “Touch her, and you die.”

The moment the words were spoken, the air grew heavy with tension.

Xavier.

He stood a few feet away, his gun aimed directly at the intruders. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with a cold fury.

The men hesitated, their bodies tensed. Then, without warning, Xavier pulled the trigger. The man in front of Athena collapsed instantly, blood pooling beneath him.

The second man, realizing he was outmatched, turned to flee, but he barely made it two steps before another shot took him down.

Silence fell over the villa. The only sound was Athena’s ragged breathing. Xavier lowered his gun, his jaw clenched. Without a word, he strode toward her and pulled her into his arms.

“You’re safe now,” he murmured against her hair.

Athena stiffened. Safe? No. She wasn’t safe. Not when she still didn’t know who she was. Not when she didn’t know who to trust.

Her fingers curled against his chest as a single thought echoed in her mind.

Who am I really… and why is the whole world after me?