Chapter 225 A Waste of Enthusiasm
Athena’s phone call to Evie was urgent, filled with a quiet panic that Evie immediately recognized. Without hesitation, she rushed to the hospital, her mind racing with worry.
When Evie arrived, she found Athena lying in a sterile hospital bed, her face pale and etched with concern. Her eyes were swollen, a mixture of pain and fear in her expression. The doctor had just finished examining her and, after a series of tense moments, confirmed the worst.
Pregnancy bleeding.
The news was both terrifying and bittersweet. Athena had managed to cushion her fall with her elbow, preventing further damage. But still, the risk was significant. The doctor advised her to remain in the hospital to rest and protect the baby.
Evie gritted her teeth, fighting the surge of anger that boiled within her. “How did this even happen?” she muttered, more to herself than to Athena. “We worked so hard yesterday to decorate the house. It’s all a waste now.”
Athena, sitting up slightly in bed, took a slow bite of the lunch Evie had brought. The food seemed to barely register with her. “Have you decided what to do now?” Evie asked, her voice softer, though still tinged with frustration.
Athena’s gaze was distant as she answered. “Do you really think a substitute girlfriend can win true love? Especially when the man is full of guilt for his real love?” Her words hung in the air, sharp and filled with doubt.
Evie’s frown deepened. She had wanted to offer comfort, but the words caught in her throat. “No substitute can win a man’s true love…” she said, her voice trailing off as the weight of the truth sank in.
Athena’s heart ached at the reality of it all. The pain was so raw, so palpable, that it almost hurt to speak. “Exactly. If you can’t win, then quit the war.” She set the spoon aside, her focus shifting inward. “Besides, he’s not worth it.”
Evie shifted uncomfortably. “Now that his true love is back… do you think he’ll really let you go?” she asked, her voice edged with a touch of worry.
Mention of Byron caused Athena’s anger to rise again. For the past few years, she had convinced herself that Byron had at least been a man of his word, even if he wasn’t always kind. But now… now he was nothing more than a shameless liar.
“The true love seems to have been sterilized,” Athena muttered bitterly, the realization hitting her like a punch. It explained everything—the urgency, the desperation for a child. “Byron probably wants to use my uterus to give her a baby.”
Her voice cracked as she spoke the words, the absurdity of the situation making her feel sick. She couldn’t believe it, yet the pieces fit together in a way that made too much sense.
“This is totally insane!” Evie exclaimed, slapping her thigh in frustration. “God! All that work on the apartment! Those decorations were perfect!”
“It’s fine,” Athena said, her tone resigned but calm. “When you go back, just take the things from the study. As for the rest, get the cleaner to remove them.”
Evie nodded, though she still seemed upset. “Alright. But you’ve got to eat something more. There’s soup here. You should have some more.”
Athena took a few sips of the soup, her appetite sparse but grateful for Evie’s efforts. She sighed softly, glancing at her friend with a look of deep gratitude. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Evie. You’ve always been there.”
Evie smiled warmly, leaning against Athena’s shoulder in a moment of comfort. “We’re besties. You don’t need to thank me.”
Athena shook her head, her eyes full of emotion. “Does your stomach still hurt?” Evie asked, her concern evident.
Athena nodded slightly, but her expression was more composed than it had been. The pain had subsided, though the emotional toll weighed heavily on her.
Evie didn’t stay long after that. She had errands to run for Athena, tasks that would take her away for a little while. She kissed Athena on the cheek and promised to return soon.
But as fate would have it, Evie’s trip took a turn for the worse.
While driving, a black car suddenly appeared from nowhere, speeding toward her in a reckless dash. There was no time to avoid it. The car slammed into Evie’s, sending it skidding dangerously toward the sidewalk.
Evie fought to control the steering wheel, but the black car came too fast, too aggressively. The collision sent sparks flying as the two vehicles scraped past each other, the noise deafening.
The impact sent Evie’s car careening into a flower bed on the side of the road. The airbags deployed with a loud pop, but the damage was done. Evie’s forehead collided with the steering wheel, blood pouring down her face. The side window shattered, and her arm hung out of the broken glass, blood dripping onto the pavement.
Athena’s heart sank when she received the call from the police. They had been unable to reach Evie’s parents, so they called her. Evie had been rushed to the hospital, in critical condition.
Rushing to the hospital, Athena’s mind raced. She couldn’t afford to lose Evie—not now, not ever. She felt powerless as she arrived, hoping against hope that her best friend would pull through.