Knowing what Zeus could do made trusting any doctor with my blood work nearly impossible. He could manipulate anything to his will, which was infuriating. Rowan didn't look like him; I don't know what he looked like when he was younger. Reign and Dimitri were doing everything they could to help me cope with the current situation, but all it did was make me sick. It made me wish I could shoot Zeus again.
"Ivy? Ivy?!" Ariel's voice broke my concentration. I blinked back to reality, her soft hand tenderly caressing mine. "Are you alright?"
"I don't know," I confessed, nibbling on my lower lip. "I don't trust Zeus, but I don't know if he's not Aodhan's father. I don't want to know."
"How come?" she questioned.
I glared at her, not rudely, but as if to wonder why she would ask such a stupid question. How come I didn't care to know? Was it such a big deal to know who the father of my children was? Part of me thinks they're mine; it's no one else's concern. I'm the one who carried them for nine months, handled every tantrum, soothed every fever. These boys are mine.
"Ivy?" Ariel waved her hand in front of my face. "You spaced out again."
"Look," I gathered myself. "The past has shown me that Zeus can be a kind man, but he's also ruthless, calculated, manipulative, and convincing. I don't know how Reign turned out to be as kind as he is, but I don't want Aodhan as Zeus's son, too."
"W-wait, Reign is Zeus's son?" Ariel asked.
"Yeah," I replied.
"I didn't know that," she said, "So you were with a man and his son?"
"Can you sound more judgemental?" I teasingly shoved her.
"I mean, it's impressive."
"How?"
"Think about it," she reminded, "Three rich men in love with you knowing that you're sleeping with the other and not getting jealous or caring that you do. Most men would have left long ago, yet you defied the odds. I would take advantage of the situation instead of pining for something that may never happen."
She was right. I was stressing over something that could be nothing. Without thought, I leaned in, pecking Ariel on the lips.
"Thank you."
Ariel pulled me in close with a devious smile and passionately kissed me.
"Mom?"
"Aodhan!" Ariel exclaimed, "Baby, what do you need?"
"That old man is here," Aodhan pointed inside.
"What old man?" Ariel joyfully asked.
"The one that made us go to that big house."
"Zeus," I growled.
Ariel's mouth dropped, eyes gaped, "Aodhan, wanna go swimming?"
"Can I, Mom?" Aodhan's eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning.
Glancing back at Ariel with a grateful smile, I agreed for him to go. Ariel knew I didn't want Zeus to be around here, let alone Aodhan—the less interaction between the two, the better.
"There you are," Zeus spoke from behind me.
"As if I were hiding?"
I watched Ariel and Aodhan play in the ocean, helping ease my annoyance.
"What can I do for you?" I asked.
"Just wanted to swing by and see Aodhan," Zeus smiled.
I folded my arms across my chest, "He's busy."
"I see that. Who's that beautiful young woman he's playing with?" Zeus questioned.
This caused me to turn my attention towards him, "Back off, she's mine."
"Ohh," he chuckled while caressing my cheek. Being territorial looks good on you, Ivy."
I swatted his hand away, "Jealous?"
"Of course," he confessed.
Taking a step back, I focused on the two playing in the ocean.
"I don't plan on leaving tonight," Zeus added.
"Excuse me?"
"I know Reign and Dimitri are out of town on business," he started, "I'll stay here tonight, make dinner, and get to know-"
"I don't think so," I snarled before stomping back inside, "Leave. I don't want you-"
Zeus jerked me around by my arm, pinning me to the wall and kissing me. No, not kissing. It's more like devouring me. I could barely catch my breath the harder he leaned into me.
"I told you, Ivy, I'm staying here tonight."