Hades's body clock woke him up at exactly four in the morning.
His cheek was resting against the smooth skin of Evadne's naked lower back as she lay sprawled across Casadin's chest, her body soft and relaxed in sleep.
He had no idea what time they'd finally passed out, only that it was well past midnight. On any other day, the lack of sleep would have ruined his morning, he hated starting the day unrested.
But not today.
Today, he felt something entirely different.
Hades slowly sat up, careful not to wake either of them. His eyes lingered on the two sleeping figures beside him.
It was a scene that should have pissed him off.
Casadin had his arm draped possessively around Evadne's shoulder, holding her close even in sleep.
That alone, would've been enough to start a war.
But not now.
Now… it didn't.
A quiet smile curved on Hades's lips when he noticed the faint contentment on Casadin's face, a peace that hadn't existed between them in years.
They'd destroyed their friendship over one woman.
And now, because of another woman, they'd moved in sync again, like nothing had ever broken them. As if they could hear each other's thoughts, like old times again.
All those years of hatred, of bitter silence and barely restrained tension… tossed out the window just to worship Evadne.
And as much as it should've unsettled him, sharing the woman he loved with another man, it didn't. Not anymore.
He was glad it was Casadin.
Hades leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her bare shoulder. Then her cheek.
She stirred slightly.
"Baby," he whispered, brushing her hair behind her ear, "I'm going to the gym. You want to come?"
Her eyes fluttered open, barely.
"No. Still sleepy," she mumbled, pulling away from Casadin's embrace to face Hades. But she didn't open her eyes again. Instead, she shifted comfortably in the sheets.
Casadin, still half-asleep, instinctively pulled her back into his arms, wrapping around her waist and spooning her from behind.
She was so at ease in her skin that she didn't even care she was practically naked, the covers barely clinging to her. Her porcelain skin was covered in kiss marks and bruises, love bites in every shade of red and purple.
Just the sight of it made Hades harden instantly.
Add that to his natural morning wood, and he couldn't suppress the sharp hiss that escaped his lips.
"I'll bring breakfast," he whispered, trying to focus.
All he got in return was a soft, unintelligible hum from her lips.
He kissed her, gentle, lingering, and finally climbed out of bed. He disappeared into the bathroom to relieve himself and take a quick cold shower to tame the heat building in him again.
It was nearly half past four when he left the penthouse. As the elevator descended to the lower floor, he finally checked his phone.
Eleven missed calls from Cieryl.
A few more from their so-called friends.
He scoffed, thumb hovering over the notification.
He opened the messages.
First from Cieryl… then the group chat. One after another.
Cieryl:
Babe, are you busy?
It's Saturday and I wanna go clubbing with our friends.
Can we go to Club Olympus?
Cieryl:
Babe? Where are you?
They're not letting us in. The manager said we don't have a membership.
I told him I'm your girlfriend.
Cieryl:
I don't think he believes me. You should talk to him.
Babe? Are you mad at me?
You're not answering my calls.
Cieryl:
We're outside your penthouse.
Didn't you hear the doorbell?
Babe?
Reading them made his blood boil, not because she was upset, but because now he could finally see it clearly.
Every message.
Every call.
Every time she reached out, it was always when she needed something from him. Or rather, from his name.
Falcon.
She and their friends only remembered him when they wanted something. When they couldn't get into an exclusive Falcon members-only establishment without his name. When she wanted to buy the latest product and didn't have enough allowance.
He scrolled higher up the thread, rereading older messages.
The pattern was so obvious now, it made his stomach twist.
Even all the moments she asked how he was doing, there was always something attached. A favor. A request. A hidden price.
Not once did she ask without expectation.
Hades exhaled a low breath and shook his head, disgusted, not with her, but with himself.
With how long he let it happen.
The elevator doors opened, revealing the gym floor.
And without another thought, he slipped his phone into his pocket, jaw clenched as he walked in, ready to lose himself in something that had nothing to do with Cieryl.
On weekdays, Hades only spent an hour at the gym, just enough time for a run. But on weekends, he pushed it to two hours.
He could've easily installed high-end gym equipment in his penthouse. In fact, he'd been advised to do so many times. But he always refused.
Because the gym was the only place in the entire building where he didn't feel completely alone.
As he ran on the treadmill, his breathing steady and his pace rhythmic, he pulled out his phone and placed a breakfast order for three from the building's 24/7 restaurant. He'd pick it up on the way back to the unit.
Still, his mind refused to quiet. It spun with thoughts he couldn't outrun.
What happens now?
Whatever had started between the three of them last night, was it a one-time collapse of restraint? Or the beginning of something deeper?
An open relationship… a three-way dynamic… it was technically accepted in modern society. But acceptance came with double standards.
If a man had two women? Applause. An alpha. A king.
But if a woman had two men?
She was called a slut. A whore.
And Evadne was not that.
He would never allow anyone to degrade her like that.
What they had wasn't just lust, it was chaos wrapped in intimacy. Something that no one else would understand. And he wasn't even sure their own families would accept it if the truth ever came out.
His brows furrowed as his phone buzzed again.
He sighed, expecting more messages from Cieryl or their circle of entitled "friends."
But then he saw the name flash on the screen.
Wife.
He exhaled through a small laugh.
It shouldn't have amused him, but it did.
Wife:
Princess wants coffee. Iced salted caramel. You've got a coffee machine but no actual coffee. Idiot.
Hades ran a hand down his face, suppressing a groan. He could already tell, this wasn't Evadne messaging.
Of course, it was Casadin.
He pinched the bridge of his nose like the patience would come out of his skin.
Hades:
Why are you using her phone? You do realize privacy exists? You shouldn't be checking anyone's messages, even if you're close. Even if you're family.
Wife:
And so what? That's why you always get cheated on. Too much privacy. If you checked your girlfriend's phone before, you would've found out she had a sex video. And do I look like I have your number saved?
Don't forget the coffee. 50% sugar. And don't give me that crap about how unhealthy sugar is. Just die bitter and unloved. You're not even the one drinking it. Fck you. Bye
Hades stared at the screen for a moment, then just shook his head.
And to think… he actually thought they were getting along now.
But even with the profanity, the disrespect, the irreverence… he found himself smiling. Just a little.
They were never going to be okay. Not really. Not after what he did.
But maybe… they could tolerate each other.
For her.
For Evadne.
He left the gym and went to pick up the breakfast he'd ordered. The restaurant had the three meals packed neatly, and he waited a few minutes more for the iced coffee.
The moment he took it into his hand, his lips curled in distaste. He never liked coffee, especially not sweet ones. The bitterness was tolerable, the sweetness? Never.
But still, he carried it back.
When he entered the penthouse, he dropped the bags on the counter and went straight to the master bedroom.
It was empty.
The bed was already made up, neatly, almost as if no one had ever slept in it.
His pulse quickened.
Something didn't feel right.
He rushed to the bathroom. Empty.
Panic curled low in his stomach.
Did they leave already?
Did she leave already?
He'd been looking forward to this morning. To sharing breakfast. To watching her wake up slowly, wrapped between their arms.
But now?
Now the room felt cold. Empty. Hollow.
And the ache in his chest, raw and deep, felt like something far more dangerous than disappointment.
It felt like abandonment.
It hurt in a way he hadn't expected.
Worse than any betrayal.
Worse than any heartbreak he'd known.
It felt like he couldn't breathe.
The pain in Hades's chest wasn't just emotional, it was physical. Crushing. Suffocating.
Without thinking, he strode toward the verandah, his steps long and desperate. His chest heaved. He was on the verge of hyperventilating, his breaths coming in short, frantic bursts.
He sat on the rail, hands trembling, trying to steady himself. Trying to breathe.
'And I like the way your eyes dance when you laugh
And how you enjoy your two-hour bath
And how you convinced me to dance in the rain
With everyone watching like we were insane…'
Hades stilled.
His head turned toward the pool area, eyes narrowing when he heard the soft hum of music, live, unfiltered, real.
And there they were.
In the water.
Casadin and Evadne. Dancing as if the world outside didn't exist. Half-submerged, moving together in slow, tender circles, bare skin glowing in the morning light, water rippling gently around them.
Through the glass walls of the pool, Hades could hear faint vibrations of their movement. And from the way Casadin's lips moved, soft and rhythmic, it was clear he was singing to her.
Evadne had her head resting on his shoulder, arms draped loosely around his neck, eyes closed like she was floating in a dream.
And just like that, Hades laughed. Loud and sharp. A crazed, relieved kind of laughter.
Of course.
Of course she was still here.
After everything they did last night, and considering it was her first time, her body was probably aching all over. It made perfect sense she'd retreat to the pool, doing her little "mermaid water therapy" to soothe her sore muscles.
Her skin shimmered in the sunlight. The water reflected a kind of magic.
"You're so fucking stupid, Hades," he muttered, half-laughing, half-angry at himself. He shook his head, still grinning.
He looked up again and caught Casadin's eyes on him, mid-turn in the water. The other man's brow furrowed slightly, clearly wondering whether Hades had lost his damn mind.
Still chuckling, Hades stood and made his way back inside. In the kitchen, he began preparing the charcuterie tray, plating everything with practiced precision. He grabbed the iced coffee, then walked to the poolside with breakfast.
'I love the way you love me
Strong and wild, slow and easy
Heart and soul, so completely
I love the way you love me…'
Casadin's deep baritone was now unmistakable, echoing softly around the pool as he serenaded Evadne, their bodies still swaying gently in the water like a slow dance meant for just the two of them.
"You took forever. Did the treadmill crush you?" Casadin muttered as soon as Hades approached.
"I had to wait a few minutes for the coffee," Hades replied curtly, placing the tray down carefully by the edge of the pool. "Baby, your coffee."
Evadne's eyes fluttered open, and instantly lit up when she saw what he held.
She reached out for it, and Casadin helped glide them closer so she could grab the drink without breaking their hold.
"I ordered charcuterie for breakfast. Figured you might've missed it," Hades added, leaning in to kiss her forehead as they got nearer.
Evadne immediately took a long sip, sighing softly as if that single taste recharged her entire soul.
And when he saw that peaceful smile curl on her lips…
Hades felt like his world was whole again.
"What about my coffee?" Casadin asked, glancing at the tray and finding no second cup.
"You didn't say you wanted any," Hades replied dryly.
"What the… What the hell am I supposed to drink with charcuterie?!" Casadin barked.
"Tea," Hades answered flatly.
"Do I look like I drink tea?!" Casadin shot back, visibly irritated.
"You didn't say you wanted coffee!" Hades snapped.
Before either could go further, Evadne softly cut in, her voice sweet and coaxing.
"Share?" she asked, lifting her iced coffee toward Casadin with a slight tilt of her head.
Casadin sighed, giving in almost immediately.
"I don't usually drink iced coffee in the morning…" he muttered. Then smirked. "But I'll accept it, Princess."
He pulled her tighter against him, his arms wrapped securely around her waist, lips brushing her temple in thanks.
"Is it good?" Casadin asked.
"It tastes… healthy," Evadne said with a chuckle, offering him the iced coffee. "But better than tea."
Casadin took a sip and hummed in agreement.
"Baby, you should minimize your sugar intake," Hades cut in, his tone laced with concern. He picked up a bite-sized waffle and gently fed it to her. "Too much sugar is bad for your health."
"I don't gain weight, even if I eat a lot of sweets," Evadne replied, rolling her eyes as she swallowed the waffle.
"It's not just about gaining weight," Hades sighed. "Do you know how many illnesses are caused by sugar? Diabetes, inflammation, metabolic—"
"There he goes again, Mr. Health Conscious," Casadin interjected, grinning. "No wonder your life's so miserable. You're always calculating everything. That's why you're bitter."
Hades visibly tensed at the comment.
Sensing it, Evadne pulled away from Casadin and swam toward Hades, slipping her arms around his waist. She gave him a soft, teasing kiss on the lips, the taste of sweet coffee still lingering between them.
"Don't worry about my junk food addiction," she whispered. "I have water therapy. It flushes out everything, unwanted and unnecessary substances in the body, even…"
She trailed off with a mischievous grin.
"Say it…" Casadin urged, already laughing as if he knew exactly where she was going.
"What?" she replied, feigning innocence.
"Finish your sentence, Princess. Go on…" he teased.
"Even sperm!!!" Evadne shouted, face flushing bright red.
Hades choked on the spoonful of yogurt he was eating.
"I hate you!" she squealed, pinching Casadin's nose as he leaned over and kissed her on the lips, right over Hades's thigh, still laughing.
And just like that, their morning was filled with laughter and playful chaos.
Somehow, amidst the teasing and arguments, she even managed to get Hades to agree to something unthinkable, that they eat whatever she wanted, no lectures, no health sermons, as long as the three of them had water therapy sessions every Saturday.
She wanted him to relax.
To stop being so tightly wound.
To stop avoiding joy just because it wasn't labeled "right."
To discover parts of himself he had never allowed to surface, things he might like, things he might not.
To be imperfect. And still be him.
That morning, the pool was filled not just with water, but with lightness. With laughter. With touches that meant more than just desire.
And eventually, as the sun climbed higher, it ended with the three of them tangled once more. They made love to her again.
This time, without the haze of alcohol.
No blurred lines.
No need for excuses.
Clear heads.
Clear hearts.
None of them tried to define what they were anymore.
Not an open relationship. Not a ménage.
To hell with labels.
What mattered was what she told them, softly, sincerely.
She liked them both.
Separately.
As individuals.
And she loved them together, as a whole.
She didn't know how to explain it.
Didn't even want to.
She just knew that being touched by only one of them felt incomplete.
Wrong.
Like something vital was missing.
She even joked, with a sheepish smile, "Maybe I'm just being a slut."
But of course, neither of them ever saw her that way.
And they never would.
They understood her.
In the most twisted, irrational, and beautifully human way.
And they accepted everything she was, completely.
Yes, Hades and Casadin still insulted each other. Still threw jabs like they couldn't help it.
But it was different now.
There was no venom behind their words.
No resentment. No pain.
Just two men with clashing personalities…
…who happened to love the same woman.
A woman who made them whole.
A woman who helped them forget every scar they gave each other.
Who taught them how to forgive,
Without ever saying sorry.