Chapter 126 Work Notes Part I
Byron remained silent, his eyes scanning the pages of the notebook, though he barely registered Ruby’s words. He was lost in his thoughts, the words on the page cutting through his mind like a knife. Athena had documented everything so meticulously—everything about him, his desires, his habits. And it was all there, laid out in black and white.
He clenched the notebook tighter in his hand, his fingers gripping the edges. He had always known Athena was attentive, but seeing it all written down like this, with such precision, felt like an invasion of his most personal moments.
Ruby, seeing Byron’s quiet reaction, took a deep breath and continued, her voice softening, trying to manipulate his emotions further. “Byron, don’t you see? She used you, took everything you gave, and discarded you as soon as it was convenient. How could you allow yourself to be treated like that? You deserve someone who loves you truly, not someone who saw you as nothing more than a means to an end.”
Byron’s lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze still fixed on the pages. Ruby’s words felt like a distant echo. He wasn’t paying attention to her. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to. All that mattered right now was the overwhelming sense of confusion and betrayal that had been building up in his chest since Athena left.
A part of him—one he couldn’t ignore—resented what Ruby was saying. He didn’t want to believe that Athena had been so calculating, so cold. There had to be more to their relationship than what Ruby was presenting. The thought of her just using him for five years made him feel sick. But another part of him couldn’t shake the doubt—especially now, with the notebook in front of him.
Ruby watched him carefully, sensing his indecision. She took another step forward, her voice softening even more, the facade of innocence and hurt never faltering. “Byron, I only want to help you. You’ve been hurt enough. Athena didn’t appreciate you, but I… I’ve always admired you. I want to be the one to make you happy. I want to make things right for you.”
Byron’s eyes lifted from the notebook to meet Ruby’s gaze. Her expression was so like Freya’s, innocent yet seductive. She was playing the part so well, it almost felt like déjà vu. But something in Byron snapped. He threw the notebook on the desk with a sharp motion, the sound of it landing heavy in the air.
“Enough,” he said, his voice cold. “I don’t need this.”
Ruby froze, her heart beating faster as she realized that her carefully constructed web was beginning to unravel. Byron’s eyes were colder than she had ever seen them before, the depth of his emotions, his confusion, now mixed with something else—something dark and unforgiving.
He looked at her, the faintest flicker of something akin to contempt crossing his features. “You think you can just replace her, don’t you? That you can step into her place like it’s that easy.” His voice dropped lower, almost a growl. “It’s not.”
Ruby opened her mouth to speak, but Byron raised a hand to silence her. “You’re not Athena. You’re nothing like her. And that’s exactly why this… this game you’re playing is never going to work.”
Ruby blinked, stunned. “But… Byron, I—” “No.” He interrupted sharply. “You’re wasting your time, Ruby. I can’t be with someone who only wants to be a substitute for someone else. I’m not like you.” His words stung, and he could see the shock and hurt in Ruby’s eyes. But he felt nothing but resolve. He didn’t want her. Not now, not ever.
He turned and walked away without another word, leaving Ruby standing there, the weight of her failed attempt settling over her like a cold shadow.
Ruby stared at his retreating figure, her mind swirling with anger and frustration. She had tried. She had planned. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. Byron would never choose her—not when he was still haunted by Athena’s memory.
With a mix of fury and resignation, Ruby clenched her fists. She wasn’t going to let this go. Byron would regret pushing her away. She would make sure of it. But for now, she was left alone with the bitter taste of failure in her mouth.