Chapter 134 Single Mother
Byron’s gaze locked on the notebook in Ruby’s hands, and an intense feeling of dread washed over him. He had seen that notebook before, the one Athena had carried with her, and his mind raced with questions. What did Ruby mean by that?
Ruby, noticing his hesitation, took a step closer, holding out the notebook. “It’s all here,” she said, her voice laced with false sweetness. “Athena’s plans, her thoughts, her secrets. She’s been hiding things from you, Byron.”
Byron’s eyes narrowed, his thoughts a whirlwind. He had trusted Athena with so much, and yet, here was Ruby, presenting something that threatened to unravel it all. He stood up, walking over to Ruby with a steely determination in his eyes.
“Don’t you dare bring this to me,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Athena and I have been through a lot together. If you think this will tear us apart, you’re gravely mistaken.”
Ruby’s hand shook slightly as she held the notebook, but she managed to force a smile. “I’m just trying to help, Byron. You deserve to know the truth.”
Byron’s patience was wearing thin, his anger bubbling to the surface. He took the notebook from Ruby’s hand, his grip tight and firm, and stared at her. “This isn’t help. This is manipulation. You’re trying to twist everything I have with Athena for your own benefit.”
Ruby’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “I’m just worried about you. You deserve someone who truly loves you, Byron. Not someone who plays games.”
Byron felt a surge of disgust, and without another word, he turned and walked toward the door, throwing the notebook onto his desk in the process.
“Leave my office,” he said coldly, his back to her now.
Ruby stood frozen for a moment, her face a mixture of frustration and hurt, but then, she turned and walked out, leaving Byron alone with his thoughts.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, trying to push away the dark cloud that had just been cast over his day. The last thing he needed was more lies and manipulation. Athena had already suffered enough.
He knew he needed to speak to her, to make sure she was okay. And yet, he couldn’t shake the doubt creeping in. The notebook… What was in it? What had Athena been hiding? And why had Ruby chosen now, of all times, to reveal this?
Byron walked over to his desk and grabbed the notebook, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He needed answers. But more than that, he needed to make sure Athena knew he trusted her. She had never given him a reason to doubt her—yet here was Ruby, trying to sow seeds of suspicion.
As he sat down, staring at the notebook, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Athena: “I moved everything back to the apartment. I hope it’s okay.”
Byron stared at the message for a moment, feeling the weight of his feelings for her more acutely than ever. No matter what was in that notebook, he knew he needed to talk to Athena, to clear the air between them.
With a sigh, he stood up again, grabbing his coat.
“I’ll sort this out with her,” he muttered to himself.
He knew he couldn’t let Ruby’s games drive a wedge between them. He had to trust Athena—and if there were things she hadn’t shared, they would deal with it together.
He walked out of his office, determined to find Athena.