Chapter 189 The Truth Comes Out
Athena blinked, still half-dazed from the remnants of her nightmare. She had barely registered Byron’s presence beside her before his words sank in.
Byron’s expression was somber, his usual cold demeanor replaced with an undeniable concern. His fingers gently brushed the damp strands of hair away from her face as if trying to erase the evidence of her restless sleep. “I know everything,” he repeated quietly, his voice softer than usual. “I lost my temper. I’m sorry.”
Athena’s heart ached at the thought of everything that had happened—her discovery, her mother’s past, and the flood of emotions that had overwhelmed her. She wasn’t sure what hurt more: the betrayal she was beginning to piece together or the suffocating weight of the grief she had been carrying for so long.
“I’ll send someone to deal with that man,” Byron added, his words carrying a certain finality.
Athena shook her head slowly, her mind still racing. “It’s not just him,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “It’s… it’s everything. I didn’t expect this… I didn’t know. I didn’t want to know.”
Byron sat down next to her on the bed, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her feel both seen and understood. His hand hovered near hers, as if waiting for her to reach out. She didn’t, not yet. But there was something comforting about his presence, something that made the darkness inside her feel just a little less suffocating.
“Everything has come crashing down all at once,” she continued, her words spilling out now. “I… I found out things I wasn’t ready to face. My mother’s past, the lies, the secrets… It’s all connected, Byron. The people who hurt her—Cato, Lien, and Rose—they’re all part of it.”
Byron listened carefully, his eyes never leaving hers. His expression softened, though his mind was already working. “You’re not alone in this,” he said firmly. “We’ll figure it out together. We’ll get to the bottom of it. Whatever it takes.”
Athena didn’t know why, but hearing him say those words, so sure and unwavering, gave her a strange sense of reassurance. The pain in her chest eased slightly, as if his words had unlocked a door she didn’t even know was closed.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Athena simply sat there, absorbing the weight of the past few days. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable; it felt like a pause—a brief respite before the storm ahead.
Byron finally broke the silence, his voice low but filled with determination. “We’ll take care of this, Athena. But you need to take care of yourself too. You can’t carry all this alone.”
Athena’s eyes were drawn to him, and she found herself nodding, though a part of her wasn’t sure if she could truly face everything head-on. She had to—there was no other choice—but the emotional toll was heavy.
“I know,” she whispered. “I’ll try. I just… need some time.”
Byron stood up, his eyes never leaving hers. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be here. We’ll make sure this man, and everyone who was involved, gets what they deserve.”
Athena wasn’t sure how long they sat there, the room filled with unspoken understanding. The world outside was still spinning, but for that moment, it felt like time had slowed. Byron’s presence gave her a sense of grounding she hadn’t realized she needed.
As he turned to leave, he paused at the door and looked back at her. “You’re not alone in this,” he repeated, his gaze steady.
Athena met his eyes, a sense of gratitude filling her chest. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as alone as she had once felt. And for the first time in days, she allowed herself to believe it.