Chapter 220 She Must Understand
When Athena saw the unfamiliar number, she quickly hung up the phone.
Sally, undeterred, sent a text: [Athn, it’s Sally. Pick up the phone, dear!]
This time, Athena called back.
“Ms. Campbell?” she asked cautiously.
“Athn, you still remember me?” Sally chuckled lightly, her tomboyish attitude at odds with her striking appearance.
“Of course, you’ve returned to the country?” Athena asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Yes! How have you been?” Sally replied, eager to catch up. “Where are you?”
“I’m doing fine. I’m at my apartment,” Athena answered, glancing around the familiar surroundings of her living room.
Sally paused. So, the woman crying in the hospital bed wasn’t Athena? That meant Byron must be with someone else now. Figures. She couldn’t help the sting of bitterness.
“Are you still with Byron?” Sally asked carefully, her tone tinged with something unreadable. “Don’t tell him I’ve come back. Otherwise, he’ll definitely come after me!”
Athena laughed lightly, sensing the playful challenge in Sally’s voice. “He’s mellowed a lot now. Don’t worry, I won’t let him come after you.”
But Sally’s heart tightened. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Athena didn’t know the full truth. Athena probably has no idea Byron is two-timing… Sally pushed the thought aside, a small grin playing on her lips. Maybe it was time for some payback. It was all Byron’s fault for sending her abroad to suffer.
“Athn, I’ve been so unlucky. I just had a car accident,” Sally said, her voice taking on a melodramatic tone.
“A car accident? Is it serious?” Athena’s voice filled with concern.
“The car’s totaled. I broke my arm, got a cut on my head…” Sally sighed exaggeratedly. “You know I’m an illegitimate child. My family doesn’t care about me at all…”
“Which hospital are you in? Can I come visit tomorrow?” Athena asked softly, her tone kind and sincere.
“Athn, you’re so kind!” Sally gushed, glad to have someone in her corner.
“Athn again?” Athena chuckled, a little exasperated. “Please, call me Athena!”
Sally lazily responded, “I like calling you that. For me, calling you ‘Athn’ feels like the closest connection.”
Athena sighed, but her smile was warm. “Let’s add each other as WhatsApp friends. I’ll send you the address later.”
Sally chatted with Athena for a while, but soon, her attention wandered. She started a video call with a new man she was flirting with, her laughter ringing out as she teased him. Athena, meanwhile, stared at the table full of dishes she had prepared for Byron, a quiet sigh escaping her.
After a moment’s thought, she took a picture of the meal and sent it to him. [Someone won’t be able to enjoy delicious food today.]
Byron was still by Freya’s side, watching over her without leaving her for even a moment. When the photo from Athena arrived, it was late at night. Freya was asleep, and Byron stood alone on the terrace, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. He glanced at the photo Athena had sent—plates piled with all his favorite dishes—and his heart sank.
How long had she spent preparing all this food for me?
A cold breeze swept across him, and for a moment, it felt like a wake-up call. He muttered to himself, “I can’t keep hiding the truth from Thea…”
When Freya was discharged, he would take Athena to see her. He would explain everything—the past, his responsibilities, his helplessness. He was sure Athena would understand. She had to understand. She wasn’t a substitute anymore. She would see that.
Byron repeated these thoughts to himself like a mantra. She’ll understand… she has to.
Just then, a soft, trembling voice interrupted his thoughts. “Byron?”
He turned around, startled, and saw Freya standing at the terrace door. She was dressed lightly, her expression a mixture of anxiety and confusion.
“Freya?” Byron asked, his voice tense. “What are you doing out here? You should be resting.”
Freya hesitated, her gaze locking onto his. “I… I just needed to see you.”