Chapter 12 Byron Made up His Mind
The sound of water echoed in the bathroom.
Autumn nights were growing colder, yet Byron let the cold water run over his head.
Athena’s expressions kept replaying in his mind—her frown, her smile, and most hauntingly, the way she looked hurt and distressed earlier that night. The more he thought about it, the more restless he became.
The doorbell rang persistently, pulling him from his thoughts. Irritated, he turned off the water, wrapped a robe around himself, and strode toward the door. As he swung it open, he found Gideon standing there.
“What do you want?” Byron asked coldly.
“I just ran into Athena near the elevator,” Gideon said, watching Byron closely.
Byron’s expression darkened at the mention of her name, and he moved to close the door.
“Her dress was torn,” Gideon added hastily, “and she looked like she’d been crying. She seemed really upset.”
Byron stiffened.
He remained silent for a moment before frowning. “Did she say anything?”
Gideon hesitated, then replied, “She said you upset her.”
Byron clenched his fists.
“Upset her?” His mind raced. “We’ve had our disagreements before. Why is this different? Why does she seem more affected now?”
Frustration burned inside him. He couldn’t understand why things between them had changed so drastically. Had he really crossed a line?
Shaking off the thought, Byron exhaled sharply and turned his piercing gaze on Gideon. “Do you have anything else to say?”
Gideon hesitated under Byron’s intense stare before muttering, “No…”
Byron shut the door and strode toward the sofa, but his attention was drawn to something on the carpet. A single pearl earring. His mind immediately conjured the image of Athena wearing it, her presence lingering even in her absence.
Meanwhile, Athena returned to her room, quickly shedding her torn dress before stepping into the shower. Warm water cascaded over her, washing away the exhaustion of the night.
Her mind, however, wouldn’t quiet down. Thoughts of Byron and the evening’s events surfaced, making her heart ache.
After finishing, she dried off and picked up her phone. She noticed several missed calls—two from Gabe and four from Evie.
She sent a quick message to Evie: [I was in the shower.]
Then, after some hesitation, she called Gabe back.
He answered almost instantly. “Athena, go to the window. The fireworks are about to start!”
She was exhausted but responded politely, “Okay, thank you for letting me know.”
“Are you at the window?” Gabe asked excitedly.
Athena walked over slowly. “Yes.”
“Alright! Start the fireworks!” Gabe called out to someone.
She blinked in surprise. Had he been waiting for her before setting them off?
A moment later, with a soft whistle, brilliant fireworks exploded across the night sky. Vibrant colors illuminated the darkness, painting a breathtaking scene.
“Athena, do you like it?” Gabe’s voice was eager.
She felt a lump in her throat. After everything that had happened that night, the thoughtful gesture touched her deeply. “Yes, thank you, Gabe.”
A pause. Then, realizing something, she added softly, “Oh, and happy birthday.”
Gabe’s grin was evident even through the phone. “Best birthday ever!”
Across the venue, Gabe’s parents stood together, watching their son with mixed expressions.
Sadie Chambers, his mother, frowned slightly. “I heard Gabe has been spending time with an unfamiliar woman tonight.”
Patrick Chambers, his father, dismissed her concern. “It’s nothing. He can enjoy himself now, but when the time comes, he’ll marry someone suitable for our business alliances.”
Sadie remained silent, though her thoughts were less indifferent than her husband’s.
The night’s festivities came to an end, and the guests began to depart.
Byron was the first to leave. As he stepped into his car, his gaze briefly landed on an off-road Mercedes parked nearby.
A flicker of recognition passed through his eyes.
He had seen that license plate before—when Athena was picked up outside the company.
His jaw tightened as his gaze shifted to the driver’s seat, where a middle-aged man in a leather jacket scrolled through his phone.
Liam, his assistant, spoke cautiously. “Mr. Crawford?”
Byron turned away without responding, slipping into his car with a cold expression.
He had already made his decision last night.
Whatever connection he once had with Athena—whatever confusion she stirred in him—it was over. He would no longer let his past influence his present.
He needed to move forward.
At the pier, Athena helped Evie off the yacht, supporting her as she stumbled slightly from too much champagne.
“Gavin, you look sharp in that leather jacket!” Evie teased their driver, patting him on the shoulder.
Gavin flushed with embarrassment. “My daughter bought it for my birthday, Miss Cross. Don’t tease me.”
“Alright, let’s get you in the car,” Athena said, guiding Evie inside.
Just as she moved to enter from the other side, a voice called out behind her.
Turning, she saw Gabe jogging toward her in a simple tracksuit, his curly hair tousled from the wind.
“Mr. Chambers, why—” she began, surprised.
“Call me Gabe!” he interrupted between breaths, bending over with his hands on his knees.
Athena chuckled at his boyish enthusiasm. “Okay, Gabe.”
Catching his breath, he straightened up. “I wanted to see you off.”
She blinked. “Oh… well, thank you.”
Gabe then extended a paper bag with a jewelry boutique’s logo on it. “Here. A return gift for my birthday.”
She hesitated. “I can’t accept this. I didn’t even bring you a present.”
Gabe grinned. “That’s okay! You can make it up to me later.” After a beat, he added, “And don’t forget, you owe me a meal!”
Athena smiled despite herself, shaking her head. “Alright, alright. I won’t forget.”
Gabe beamed, satisfied.
As she stepped into the car, she glanced back at him, feeling warmth in her heart despite the turmoil of the night.