The Bigshot's Superstar Wife

Athena watched the never-ending rain pour over the dense jungle, her gaze distant as she listened to the rhythmic patter against the canopy.

The downpour had started late last night and showed no signs of stopping. Water pooled on the uneven ground, turning the soil into thick mud that sucked at her boots.

A sudden announcement crackled through the camp's makeshift speakers, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Attention, contestants. Due to the heavy rainfall, the lower areas are at risk of flooding. For safety reasons, all participants must climb higher into the mountains. The recording will continue despite the storm."

Murmurs of discontent rippled through the crowd, but no one openly protested. The show's rules were clear, only in life-threatening situations would the game be paused.

Athena pulled on her rainproof jacket and adjusted her backpack. As the crew signaled for the hike to begin, she took her place among the contestants and started the ascent.

The muddy terrain made every step a challenge. Several contestants slipped, cursing as they struggled to maintain their balance.

The air was thick with humidity, making it difficult to breathe. Some were already panting, their stamina faltering under the grueling conditions.

But Athena?

She climbed effortlessly. Her movements were swift and precise, her breathing steady. Every step she took was calculated, avoiding loose rocks and hidden roots that could trip her up.

No one noticed at first. But as the hike continued, some contestants began whispering.

"Why isn't she tired?"

"Look at her… she's barely breaking a sweat."

"Is she really just a horror novelist?"

Athena ignored the murmurs, focusing on her surroundings instead. Her instincts, dulled by years of civilian life, were sharpening again. Something felt off.

She wasn't sure why, until she heard the first scream.

"Snakes!"

The group came to an abrupt halt. Someone had nearly stepped on a long, coiled serpent.

More hissing followed, and suddenly, snakes emerged from the underbrush, slithering toward the contestants.

Panic erupted.

Some participants scrambled backward, slipping in the mud as they tried to escape. A few of the men grabbed sticks, swinging wildly at the creatures.

Athena, however, moved differently.

Her body reacted before she could think. She lunged forward, seizing the first snake by the neck and snapping it with a quick, efficient twist.

Another one lunged at her. She sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing her knife and driving the blade through the snake's head.

The rain blurred her vision, but it didn't matter. Her hands moved with muscle memory, slicing through the attacking serpents with precision.

By the time she was done, six lifeless snakes lay on the wet ground.

Silence.

The contestants stared at her in stunned disbelief. Even the cameramen hesitated, their lenses fixed on the blood-stained knife in her grip.

"What the hell…" one of the male contestants muttered. "How did she do that?"

Athena exhaled, wiping the blade on her sleeve before sheathing it. The familiar weight of the weapon in her hand felt… right. Too right.

The realization unsettled her. How did I do that?

She should have been shocked, horrified even. But there was no fear, no hesitation. Just instinct. As if killing was second nature.

The others were still gaping at her. She needed to act normal. Play it off.

"I… I grew up in the countryside," she lied, forcing a sheepish smile. "We had a lot of snakes near our farm."

A few contestants nodded hesitantly, accepting her explanation. But one person didn't buy it.

Agent Divina. Her sharp eyes studied Athena, suspicion flickering across her face.

Athena held her gaze, unwilling to break eye contact. If Divina knew something, she wasn't saying it, yet.
Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

The moment passed. The crew signaled for everyone to continue moving.

The contestants hesitated but ultimately obeyed, stepping around the dead snakes as they resumed the climb.

Athena fell in line, but her mind was racing. Something wasn't right. And if she wasn't careful, someone would start asking the wrong questions.

As the group continued the climb, Athena felt the weight of lingering stares on her back. She kept her expression neutral, pretending not to notice. But deep inside, her thoughts churned.

Her body had reacted too naturally, too efficiently, like she had done this before. But she hadn't. Had she? The question unsettled her.

The thick rain made the path even more treacherous. Contestants stumbled, some slipping down the muddy incline, their shouts muffled by the relentless downpour.

Athena helped where she could, pulling a woman to her feet, steadying a man who nearly twisted his ankle.

Yet, every time she extended a hand, she saw the hesitation in their eyes.

They had watched her kill those snakes with unnatural ease. Even if they believed her farm story, a seed of doubt had been planted.

Athena wasn't one of them. She wasn't normal. But then, what was she? She clenched her fists, forcing herself to focus.

The hike lasted another two grueling hours before they reached the designated safe zone, a rocky plateau high above the flood-prone jungle.

The crew instructed them to set up temporary shelters while the rain continued to hammer the mountainside.

Athena worked silently, securing her tarp and arranging the dry rations provided. Around her, whispered conversations flickered in the dim light.

They were talking about her. She didn't blame them. A horror novelist who handled a survival situation better than the trained crew? Of course, it didn't make sense.

But she had no explanation for it either. As she finished setting up, she sensed movement behind her. Someone was approaching. She turned.

Agent Divina stood there, arms crossed, gaze unreadable.

"You're full of surprises, Athena," Divina said coolly.

Athena gave a small shrug. "I guess I'm just lucky."

Divina didn't respond immediately. Instead, she studied Athena as if peeling back layers. Then, after a long pause, she said, "Or maybe you've just forgotten."

Athena's breath hitched. For a moment, the rain and wind faded into the background.

"What do you mean?" Athena asked carefully.

Divina smirked, but there was no humor in her eyes. "I think you're more than what you believe yourself to be. And sooner or later, you'll realize it too."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Athena standing in the storm, confused, uneasy, and with a gnawing feeling that she was missing something far bigger than she ever imagined.