The Bigshot's Superstar Wife - Chapter 176

Chapter 176: Perfect Together
Athena’s mind raced as they moved, dodging between crumbling buildings and debris-strewn streets.

Her body reacted on instinct, parrying, striking, dodging, as if it remembered movements she could not consciously recall.

Every time Xavier swung his blade, she was already adjusting to cover his blind spots. Every time she feinted, he followed through with precision.

Their rhythm in battle was seamless, like a well-practiced dance, as if they had fought together countless times before. But that was impossible.

She was certain there were no records of her past life. She had checked every database, every government archive, and even underground networks with information no ordinary person could access.

There was nothing. No mention of an Athena who had ever been in the military, let alone someone skilled enough to fight like this. And yet, every fiber of her being told her otherwise.

The streets around them were eerily silent, save for the occasional distant growl of lurking zombies.

The last battle had left them vulnerable, they had to move quickly. Xavier took the lead, guiding her through a collapsed alleyway that led to a dilapidated high-rise.

The building loomed over them, its shattered windows and exposed steel beams a testament to the devastation that had taken hold of the city.

“We need to take cover,” Xavier murmured, scanning their surroundings. “This place looks stable enough. We can rest for a bit.”

Athena followed him inside, her steps cautious. The building’s interior was mostly intact, but dust coated every surface, and the scent of decay lingered in the air.

She peered down the darkened hallways, the flickering emergency lights casting eerie shadows on the walls. They had no idea what could be hiding here.

They settled in an abandoned office on the third floor. Xavier secured the doors while Athena checked the windows for any movement outside.

The city was a wasteland. Cracked streets, overturned cars, shattered buildings, what was once a thriving metropolis was now a graveyard.

Athena leaned against the cold glass, her breath fogging the surface as she stared at her reflection.

The woman who looked back at her was someone she didn’t fully recognize. Strong, composed, but hollow.

There were pieces of herself missing, and she had no idea how to retrieve them.

Xavier sat on a nearby desk, methodically checking his weapons. He seemed at ease, but Athena knew better.

His eyes were sharp, calculating, always watching. He was used to danger, used to surviving.

“How do you fight like that?” she finally asked, breaking the silence.

Xavier didn’t look up. “Like what?”

“Like we’ve done it before,” she said, folding her arms. “Like we know each other’s movements. It’s too natural.”

He was quiet for a moment, then sighed. “Maybe we have.”

Athena narrowed her eyes. “That’s impossible.”

“Is it?” Xavier finally met her gaze. “Do you remember your past?”

Her stomach twisted. That was the problem, she didn’t. The gaps in her memory weren’t just small missing pieces.

They were entire voids, vast and endless. She had no childhood memories, no recollection of a family.

Just a vague sense of existing before she woke up one day with nothing but a name.

“I don’t,” she admitted. “But I know I was never part of the military.”

Xavier studied her, his expression unreadable. “And yet you fight like a soldier.”

Athena clenched her jaw. “That doesn’t mean anything.”

“It means everything,” he countered. “You’re not normal, Athena. You know that, don’t you?”

She inhaled sharply. She did know. She had always known.

Before she could respond, a noise outside caught their attention. A low, guttural growl, followed by the distinct sound of heavy footsteps.

Athena grabbed her weapon. Xavier was already on his feet, eyes locked on the doorway. The tension in the room thickened as the footsteps drew closer. Then, silence.

Athena’s fingers tightened around her sword. She glanced at Xavier, who gave her a barely perceptible nod. In one swift movement, she swung the door open.

Nothing.

The hallway was empty. But that didn’t ease her nerves. Something had been there. Watching. Waiting.

Xavier stepped out beside her, scanning the area. “Let’s move. We can’t stay here.”

Athena nodded, and they slipped through the corridors, their footsteps muffled against the dust-covered floor.

Every shadow felt like a threat, every flickering light a warning. They needed to get out before whatever had been lurking decided to strike.

They reached the stairwell, descending carefully. As they approached the ground floor, Athena felt it again, that sensation of being watched.

Her instincts screamed at her, and she barely had time to react before a figure lunged from the darkness. A blur of movement. A sharp, inhuman screech.

Athena spun, raising her sword just in time to block the attack. The creature before her wasn’t like the other zombie.

It moved with intelligence, its crimson eyes gleaming with something almost human.

It snarled, lunging again. Athena sidestepped, her blade slashing across its arm. Black blood splattered against the walls.

Xavier fired his gun, the bullet hitting the creature’s chest, but it barely flinched. Instead, it grinned.

“Not bad,” it rasped, its voice distorted but eerily clear. “You’re stronger than I expected.”

Athena’s pulse pounded in her ears. This wasn’t just another mindless infected. The creature tilted its head. “Do you remember me?”

Her breath caught. “What…”

It lunged again, forcing her to defend. Their blades clashed, sparks flying in the dim light. Athena moved on instinct, countering every attack with precision.

But the creature wasn’t trying to kill her. It was testing her.

Xavier fired again, forcing it to retreat a few steps. It chuckled, licking the black blood from its lips. “You’ll remember soon enough.”

Then, with unnatural speed, it vanished into the shadows. Athena stood frozen, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Xavier placed a hand on her shoulder. “We need to go. Now.”

She nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. Who was that? And why did they act like they knew her? More importantly… why did she feel like she knew them too?