Chapter 156 The Wedding Was Approaching
Athena froze for a moment as the words settled in her mind.
Heather’s wedding. Two months away.
She’d heard about it, of course. The engagement had been all over the news, the talk of the town. But hearing it from Rose, someone she trusted, made it feel all the more real, all the more final.
Rose continued eating, seemingly unaffected by the heavy weight of the topic. Athena, on the other hand, could feel her chest tighten as the thought gnawed at her. Was Byron really going to marry Heather? Was this all just part of his plan?
Athena knew the answer to that question. She wasn’t naïve. Byron had never been a man to act impulsively. If he was involved with Heather, it was likely because it suited him—because it suited his family, his business. But what about her? Where did she fit into this picture? The answer, she knew, was that she didn’t.
“Does it bother you?” Rose asked, as if reading her mind.
Athena forced a smile. “It doesn’t,” she lied, her voice betraying her. She hadn’t been able to shake the thought of Byron with Heather, the woman who had everything—everything Athena didn’t.
Rose gave her a knowing look, but she didn’t press the matter further. Instead, she reached across the table and placed a hand on Athena’s.
“You know,” Rose began, her tone soft but firm, “you deserve better than this. I don’t care about family obligations or business deals. You deserve to be with someone who actually values you. Someone who doesn’t keep you hanging in the background while his world revolves around others.”
Athena couldn’t help but look down at Rose’s hand on hers, the warmth of the gesture sinking in. She had always known Rose cared for her, but hearing this now felt different, as though it was a reminder of the love and care she had been missing in her own life.
“You don’t need to stay where you aren’t appreciated,” Rose continued. “There are other opportunities for you, Athena. Don’t let yourself be defined by your association with Byron or the Crawford family. You’re capable of so much more.”
Athena swallowed the lump in her throat. The words resonated with her more than Rose might have realized. For a moment, the idea of leaving Imbe Group, of walking away from Byron, seemed like the only way she could ever regain a sense of self.
But could she?
The idea of leaving everything behind was terrifying. The security, the familiarity—no matter how much she was hurt by the situation with Byron, it was still a part of her life.
But then again, what was the point of staying somewhere that hurt her? Wasn’t it time to finally take control of her own life?
“I’ll think about it,” Athena said quietly, her voice steady but uncertain.
Rose smiled, a knowing expression on her face. “You don’t need to rush. Just remember, I’ll be here for you, no matter what you decide.”
As they finished dinner, Athena’s mind raced with possibilities. What did she want from life? Did she want to keep fighting for a place in Byron’s world? Or was it time to let go, to start anew, and find something—or someone—that would truly make her happy?
The evening wore on, and though the conversation turned to lighter topics, Athena couldn’t help but feel the weight of her thoughts bearing down on her. The question remained unanswered, but it was one she couldn’t avoid for much longer.
After dinner, Rose walked her to the door, her hand on Athena’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Take care of yourself, Athena. Don’t let anyone make you feel small. You’re stronger than you think.”
Athena smiled, her heart swelling with appreciation. “Thank you, Rose. I will.”
As she drove home, the silence in the car felt heavier than usual. Her mind was full of questions, doubts, and emotions, but one thing was clear: she couldn’t keep pretending everything was fine. Whether she stayed or left, it was time to make a change.