The Bigshot's Superstar Wife - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Take Responsibility

Are we moving too fast? As the last rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy, the newly finished hut stood as a testament to their teamwork. It’s beautiful.

With five spacious rooms, a small living area, a dining space, a comfort room, and a kitchen inside, it was an impressive structure considering their limited resources.

Athena’s additional suggestion of building an outdoor kitchen and a stockroom for wood was well-received by Mors, and they agreed to work on it next.

When the day’s live broadcast ended and the camera bots powered down for the night, the jungle around them fell silent, leaving only the sounds of nocturnal creatures stirring.

Athena and Mors sat by the fire, the glow casting soft shadows on their faces. Mors broke the silence first, his voice steady but tinged with regret. “Athena, I’m sorry.”

Athena turned to him, her expression calm but thoughtful. “You were under the influence of the bug’s toxins after getting bitten. It was out of your control, Mors. I don’t blame you.”

Mors seemed momentarily taken aback by her understanding. He moved closer and, without warning, wrapped his arms around her in a firm but gentle hug.

What is this? What kind of ghost entered his body? The sudden intimacy startled Athena, but she didn’t pull away.

“I will take responsibility,” Mors said, his voice low but resolute. “Not because of what happened, but because I am your husband.”

Athena looked up at him, her brow furrowed slightly. You still have some conscience.

“Won’t you feel it’s unfair? We’re stuck here for three months, and yet we have to act like strangers because the galaxy’s citizens can’t know we’re married?”

Mors let out a soft chuckle, his usual stoicism giving way to a rare warmth. His laugh is beautiful…

“I’m not so shallow, Athena. The galaxy knows I’m married, even if they don’t know to whom. That’s enough to tell the world where I stand.”

With that, Mors leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, his touch lingering just long enough to stir something deep within her.

Why is he being intimate all of a sudden? Athena stiffened slightly, her heart skipping a beat, but she managed to smile at him.

Despite her outward calm, her mind raced. Is this man truly sincere with me? Or is he just doing what he believes is his duty?

Her smile remained steady, though her thoughts churned with uncertainty. As Mors pulled back to continue stoking the fire, Athena’s gaze lingered on him.

The sincerity in his actions was undeniable, but doubt was a hard thing to banish, especially in a world where trust could be a luxury.

For now, she decided to hold her questions close to her heart, letting time reveal the truth.

–

Huh? The wind howled violently outside, its mournful sound amplified by the dense forest surrounding them. It’s raining…

Rain lashed against the bamboo walls of their newly built hut, creating a rhythmic yet ominous drumming.

The air inside was cool, and the flickering fire in the corner struggled to stay alive. Athena lay still on the bed, staring at the man beside her.

Mors’s face was softened in sleep, a rare glimpse of vulnerability that reminded her of the burden he carried daily. His even breathing was a stark contrast to the chaos outside.

He must have been utterly exhausted, she thought, brushing her fingers lightly against the woven blanket that barely covered them both.

The rigors of constructing a home from scratch, even for someone as physically capable as Mors, were far from easy. She admired his endurance but worried about the toll it was taking.

Suddenly, the sharp whistle of the wind startled her awake. The thunder cracked loudly, shaking the hut’s thin walls.

Athena’s heart pounded as she sat up, her mind racing. Could this be a typhoon?

The possibility of falling debris or uprooted trees damaging their home gnawed at her. She needed to assess the situation.

Carefully, Athena moved to rise from the bed, but before her feet could touch the ground, Mors’s hand shot out, pulling her back firmly.

“It’s cold,” he murmured, his voice groggy but commanding. “Stay here and let me check.”

Athena blinked, startled by how alert he was despite having just woken up. “I’ll come with you. Two pairs of eyes are better…”

“No.” Mors’s tone left no room for argument. He propped himself up, his sharp eyes locking onto hers even in the dim light.

“Medicine is scarce, and the crew won’t intervene if something happens to us. You signed the life-and-death agreement before we started this show. So did I. Let me handle this.”

Athena frowned, wanting to protest, but Mors’s steady gaze and firm grip silenced her.

He gently pushed her back against the makeshift mattress, his touch surprisingly tender despite the urgency of the moment.

“Stay here,” he repeated, softer this time. “Be obedient, Athena.”

Reluctantly, she nodded, watching as he grabbed his knife and a small torch before slipping out into the storm.

The door creaked as he opened it, a blast of cold wind rushing in before it slammed shut behind him. Athena lay back down, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders.

She hated feeling helpless, but Mors’s reasoning was valid. Her mind raced as she listened to the storm rage on, each gust of wind and crash of thunder making her heart jump.

Please be safe, she thought, staring at the dark ceiling above. The minutes stretched into what felt like hours as she waited, her ears straining for the sound of his return.

The warmth of the embrace was what stirred Athena from her unintended slumber.

She hadn’t realized she had fallen asleep, her exhaustion overtaking her while she waited for Mors to return. Her eyes fluttered open, only to find herself enveloped in his strong arms.

Mors had slipped into bed quietly, careful not to disturb her. His body radiated heat, a huge contrast to the cold air still seeping through the small cracks in the bamboo walls.

His steady breathing near her ear was both comforting and grounding, a silent assurance that he was unharmed.

“You’re back,” Athena murmured, her voice barely audible over the faint sound of the rain still tapping against the roof.

“Of course,” Mors replied, his tone low and calm. He tightened his hold on her slightly as if to reassure her further. “Everything’s fine. The hut held up well. No damage to worry about.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, closing her eyes again.

Mors shifted slightly, his hand brushing her hair away from her face. “Rest now,” he said softly. “You don’t need to worry. I’m here.”