Chapter 208 Will You Marry Me?
“Knowing what she did to her daughter-in-law, I can’t help but feel disgusted by her,” Athena replied honestly.
Byron’s mind flickered to the memory of Lola slapping Athena at the care home. The image lingered, and a sharp edge of anger stirred within him. He looked at Athena with a mix of tenderness and protectiveness.
“You won’t have to deal with any conflicts with your mother-in-law,” Byron said, his voice low and steady. He kissed the tip of her nose gently. “If you don’t want to see her, I’ll make sure she doesn’t come near you.”
Athena smiled softly, though her expression was unreadable. To be honest, she wasn’t afraid of Lola. In a real confrontation, Lola would hardly stand a chance against her.
“Okay,” Athena said, her hand grazing Byron’s cheek in a comforting gesture. “You look exhausted. Sleep. I’ll help you relax.”
Byron’s heart fluttered at her words, touched by the care she always showed him. For a moment, his mind wandered back to the second year after Athena came into his life.
It was a time when he had taken her on a business trip, and they had witnessed a car accident on the road. The trauma of that event had triggered a wave of phantom pain from his old injury, a pain that seemed endless and overwhelming. That night, Athena stayed by his side, never once leaving him, not even to sleep. It wasn’t until dawn that the pain began to subside.
It was also on that night that Athena had done something he never thought she would. Against his objections, she had canceled all his meetings for the next day. “The meetings can wait,” she had told him. “You need to rest. Sleep. Let me take care of you.”
Byron had never realized how deeply Athena had imprinted on his heart. It wasn’t until the thought of losing her crossed his mind that he understood just how much she meant to him. No one else could treat him as kindly as she did.
“Okay,” he said softly, closing his eyes, letting her words wash over him.
Athena, however, sensed a weight on his mind. She didn’t pry, knowing Byron would open up when he was ready, but she still wanted to lighten his mood.
“Byron,” she called softly, her voice barely a whisper.
“Hmm?” Byron responded, his voice sleepy but attentive.
“Do you have time the day after tomorrow?” Athena asked, her tone casual, though there was a hint of anticipation behind it.
Byron’s brow furrowed slightly. “What’s going on?”
“I was thinking,” Athena hesitated, her voice light, “I want us to have dinner at home. Just the two of us.”
Byron smiled at the thought, his heart warming. “Okay. The day after tomorrow, then.”
“Great!” Athena beamed. She lightly patted his back, a soft gesture meant to reassure him. “Goodnight.”
But Byron couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, Freya’s face haunted him—her terrified, helpless expression mixed with Athena’s resolute gaze.
He tossed and turned for what felt like hours before calling her name in a hoarse whisper, “Thea.”
Athena had just drifted off to sleep when his voice roused her. Annoyed, she let out a small huff and playfully hit him in the chest with her head.
Byron chuckled, the sound soft but genuine. “Why?” she muttered, clearly irritated but still amused.
Byron cupped her cheek, his thumb gently brushing her skin. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender, lingering kiss.
Athena, now slightly more awake, let out a helpless sigh.
When they broke apart, Byron didn’t waste any time. His voice grew serious, his gaze fixed on hers. “Let’s get married tomorrow.”
Athena blinked in surprise. “Tomorrow?” she repeated, her voice faltering. This wasn’t how she had imagined their wedding timeline, if she was being honest. Wasn’t it supposed to be her—the substitute—who would be rushing into marriage? Byron was the wealthy boss, and now it seemed like he was the one pushing for it.
Byron’s brow furrowed, a hint of concern creeping into his expression. “What? Don’t you want to?” he asked, his voice slightly tightening. “I’ve broken off the engagement for you. Don’t you believe in my sincerity anymore? Are you still thinking about leaving?”
“No…” Athena whispered, her voice soft but filled with uncertainty. “It’s just… marriage is a big step. Shouldn’t we pick a good day? Something meaningful?”
Byron’s gaze softened as he studied her. This was the first time she had answered him head-on about marriage, and despite the hesitation in her voice, it made him feel a flicker of hope.
“So you’ll marry me?” Byron asked, his words more a statement than a question, as if he had already known the answer in his heart.
Athena paused, the gravity of his words sinking in. It was the first time they were both truly confronting the future together.