Chapter 112 Just in Time
Lola rose to her feet, her face tight with frustration. She didn’t spare a word for Alivia as she exited the room. The noble lady, following suit, kept her steps measured and quiet. Then, the door to the ward clicked shut behind them.
As the door closed, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The air felt heavier, and a strange silence fell between Athena and Byron. Athena didn’t even glance at him. She reached for the unfinished book from the afternoon, her fingers lightly brushing its cover. “Mrs. Alivia Crawford, shall I continue reading?” she asked, her voice soft, almost comforting.
Alivia smiled warmly, nodding. “Yes, please.”
Athena began reading, her voice smooth and steady. Alivia looked at her with a kind of longing, the affection in her eyes unmistakable. She had a daughter once, a daughter she’d lost to the cruel tides of fate. She had tried so hard to protect her sister’s children, only to watch her own die in the chaos of war. Now, her sister’s children thrived, living in comfort and luxury, but when Alivia fell ill, none of them came to visit. Athena, however, was different. She stayed, read to her, cared for her with an unspoken tenderness.
Byron sat back in the corner, his eyes locked on Athena. The soft light from the small lamp above her bathed her in a gentle glow, casting shadows that made her seem even more delicate, more ethereal. He used to be the one to receive all her tenderness. But now, as he watched her, an unfamiliar anxiety twisted in his chest.
The words Alivia had said earlier echoed in his mind—she would find a better man for Athena to marry. The thought sent a sharp pang through him. “Will she marry someone else?” The question haunted him, but as quickly as it came, he dismissed it. Impossible. He would never let Athena slip away from him, no matter the cost. Even if it meant keeping her by his side forever, even if she hated him for it, he would never allow another man to claim her.
Athena, unaware of Byron’s turbulent thoughts, brushed her long hair behind her ear. Byron’s gaze shifted to the small mark on her neck—the one he had left, a subtle but undeniable claim. That mark… it’s mine. His grip on his emotions tightened.
Hours passed, the complaints outside the door growing louder as the evening drew near. Finally, Liam returned, his face etched with exhaustion.
Athena had managed to put Alivia to sleep. She turned off the bedside light and, with the nurse, began to leave the room. The nurse offered a grateful glance as Athena patted her arm reassuringly. They shared a brief moment of understanding, an unspoken bond.
As they exited the ward, Byron was already there, waiting for her.
“How’s it going?” Karen’s voice rang out, demanding answers.
“Mr. Crawford,” Liam started, his tone apologetic. “We’ve spoken to several people who were present, and they confirmed seeing the two children. But we’ve hit a dead end. We don’t have access to the hospital’s surveillance, and no one can confirm their parents’ identities. We’ve also reviewed surveillance from the hospital entrances and exits for the past few days—nothing. The kids just appeared and disappeared without a trace.”
Byron’s lips curled into a sneer. “So, they just appear out of nowhere, and then vanish? Ridiculous.”
Liam nodded, looking stressed. “We’re still going through the vehicle records. We have three vehicles as suspects, but it’s going to take time to get results.”
Lola snorted from the side. “So much effort just to get your secretary off the hook?” Her voice was thick with sarcasm.
Quinton stepped forward, his expression serious as he checked his phone. “The food test from Mrs. Alivia Crawford’s nurse came back positive for drugs that cause gastrointestinal distress.”
Karen, her eyes flashing with impatience, added, “It’s possible that Athena colluded with the nurse—or maybe the nurse was bribed. We’ll need to replace her.”
Athena didn’t let her words go unchallenged. She turned to Karen, her voice cold. “You’re quick to pass the blame. Are you sure you didn’t have anything to do with this?”
Karen’s face flushed with fury. “Bullshit. You think I’d frame myself just to get you off the hook?” she snapped, her voice rising in anger.
Before Athena could respond, a new voice broke through the tension. It was calm, almost too calm, with an edge of amusement.
“Looks like I got here just in time,” Jaxson said, his tall, broad form appearing in the doorway. He was followed by a dignified, silver-haired Alivia.
Athena’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. Byron’s jaw tightened in a barely noticeable reaction.
Jaxson’s gaze shifted to Athena, his lips curling into a knowing smile. “Busy day, I see.”