Chapter 223 Kill Her
At that moment, they were standing too close. Athena’s gaze shifted to Freya, and for the first time, she saw her clearly. It was undeniable—Freya and she looked so much alike.
Freya, too, seemed to recognize Athena. Her eyes widened in shock, and her expression turned to one of astonishment. Athena suddenly felt exposed, like her most vulnerable self had been stripped bare and left for everyone to see.
Freya’s voice broke through the silence. “How could you hit him?” She stepped in front of Byron, her body instinctively shielding him as if protecting a treasure.
Athena didn’t want to engage in this. She didn’t want to be here, seeing them together, in this moment. “Freya, you should go back to the ward…”
“Who is she?” Freya demanded, turning to Byron, her voice laced with confusion and something darker. “Why do we look so similar?”
Byron’s voice grew sharp, colder than before. “I said, go back to the ward.” His tone was final, leaving no room for argument.
Freya trembled, her confusion turning to frustration. Athena’s heart clenched. She felt a sudden, sharp pain in her chest that she couldn’t explain. She didn’t want to see them anymore, didn’t want to hear this conversation that was tearing at her heart. Without thinking, she yanked her arm out of Byron’s grip, trying to get away.
But as she stepped back, Freya, unsteady, lost her balance and fell to the ground, her arm grazing the pavement. A thin streak of blood appeared on her delicate skin, a stark contrast to her pale complexion.
“Freya!” Byron’s voice was filled with panic.
“Freya!” Seraphina’s voice suddenly rang out, sharp and accusatory.
Before Athena could even process what had happened, Seraphina appeared like a storm, pushing Athena violently. Athena, still reeling from the situation, stumbled and fell, her body hitting the ground with a sharp thud.
A jolt of pain shot through her lower abdomen, and she instinctively clutched at it, wincing in discomfort.
“Where did this malicious woman come from?” Seraphina hissed. “Freya is fragile, and you pushed her!”
Byron rushed to Freya’s side, but Freya reached out and grabbed his arm, her face stricken with fear. “Byron, she didn’t push me. I lost my balance on my own. Please, don’t blame her.”
Athena, holding her abdomen, looked at the scene before her. The ache in her chest grew worse, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself a sad, hollow smile.
“Miss Newton?” A familiar voice broke through her haze. It was Gideon, walking quickly toward her. He helped her up with careful hands, his expression unreadable.
“Thank you,” Athena said, her voice soft but polite.
She glanced at Freya, then at Byron, her gaze steady. “You don’t need to play these games. I’m not here to compete with you for anything.”
Byron, his expression softening in concern, turned to Athena. “You don’t look well. Did you hurt yourself?” He reached out as if to touch her.
Athena instinctively pulled away, her heart clenching painfully. The man she had once loved, the one who had once meant everything to her, was now a stranger. The sun was bright, but it only made the distance between them feel even colder.
“I had a fever last night,” she said, her voice calm, betraying none of the turmoil she felt inside. “I’ll be fine.”
Byron’s eyes widened in concern. “Let’s go home. I can explain everything to you!”
“There’s no need,” Athena replied, shaking her head, her voice firm now.
“Thea…” Byron’s voice was full of worry, the fear in it unmistakable.
Athena turned her gaze downward, her heart heavy. “Byron, let’s forget everything we said before. This is how it is between us. You should focus on Miss Bates from now on and stop bothering me.”
With that, she cast one last look at him, then turned and began to walk away, each step feeling heavier than the last.
Byron reached out, but before he could stop her, Gideon stepped in between them, blocking his way.
“What are you doing?” Byron’s voice was tight with anger, his frustration bubbling over.
“Freya doesn’t seem well,” Gideon said, his tone unwavering. “I’ll make sure Miss Newton is taken care of for you.”
Byron hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Freya. She looked pale and unsteady, clearly needing his attention. Finally, he gave in, his shoulders slumping. “Take care of Freya. I need to clear things up with Thea.”
With that, he turned and rushed after Athena, not looking back.
Gideon watched them both leave, his gaze thoughtful. He was surprised—Byron hadn’t fallen for Freya’s tricks this time.
“What is Byron going to do?” Seraphina asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. “How can he leave Freya here and chase after another woman?”
Gideon walked over, his expression calm and detached. With his hands casually in his pockets, he looked down at Seraphina from above.
“You really put all your strength into pushing Athena just now,” Gideon said slowly, his tone cold. “I hope you’re proud of that.”