Chapter 228 Who Is the Father?
Freya was slightly taken aback by Byron’s change in demeanor. She had expected him to respond with the same cold detachment, but now she saw a faint trace of concern on his face, something that surprised her.
“I… I don’t mean anything malicious,” Freya began hesitantly. “I just don’t want her to misunderstand you…” Her words trailed off as she noticed Byron’s growing impatience, his gaze flickering between her and his phone, which had just started ringing.
Byron quickly reached for his phone, his eyes lighting up with anticipation. But when he saw the caller ID, his expression hardened. The warmth drained from his face, replaced by an unmistakable irritation.
Freya glanced at the phone and saw the name “Lola” flashing across the screen.
“Mrs. Lola Crawford?” Freya asked, voice trembling slightly.
Byron, noticing her reaction, shot her a quick glance before swiping the phone away with a single press of the button to hang up.
“You can answer it,” Freya said softly, her tone cautious, “I… I can go away.”
Byron could see the subtle tremor in Freya’s hands. It wasn’t just fear of the phone call—Freya was visibly rattled by the name “Lola.” He frowned, his frustration turning into a twinge of sympathy. He wanted to ease her anxiety.
“Freya, you don’t have to be afraid of her anymore. I’m not restrained by her now,” Byron said, his voice softer, less cold than before.
Freya met his gaze, nodding slightly, though her anxiety was still apparent.
Before the conversation could go further, Lola called again. This time, Byron’s irritation deepened, but he didn’t immediately hang up.
“Answer it,” Freya suggested gently, her concern for both him and the situation clear. “What if there’s something urgent?”
“Okay,” Byron responded, his tone still tight, before looking at Freya with a hint of gratitude for her understanding.
Freya turned and walked toward the ward, leaving Byron alone to answer the call.
Byron took a deep breath before answering. His voice was colder than he intended. “If this is still about the marriage contract, I won’t answer your calls anymore.”
Lola’s voice came through, sharp and angry. “Where are you now? Are you with Athena?”
Byron’s eyebrows furrowed. “Are you okay?”
Lola’s voice was filled with fury as she continued. “Of course, I’m not okay! How could I be? Byron, after all I’ve done for you, you’re letting yourself be tricked by a woman so easily? Why are you so stupid?”
Byron said nothing, his jaw clenched. He was about to hang up when he heard Lola’s voice, now tinged with something else—something more dangerous.
“I’ll tell you this now, Byron. I will not let that bastard in her belly be my grandson!”
Byron froze. “What are you talking about? What belly? What bastard?”
Lola’s voice went cold and mocking. “Athena’s pregnant. Don’t you know?”
Byron’s heart skipped a beat. He could feel the world around him blur for a moment as his mind struggled to keep up with the new information.
“Who told you?” Byron asked, his voice thick with disbelief.
“I’ve got all the reports,” Lola sneered. “I’ve figured it all out. The father is George Klein—a pediatrician. Athena’s been seeing him ever since you went on that business trip for over two weeks. She was too scared to get caught, so she went back to George’s hospital in Greeli City to get the tests done. Everyone there knows she’s his fiancée and that she’s pregnant!”
Byron was reeling. The revelation struck him like a blow to the chest. All the signs he had ignored—the way Athena had guarded her belly, the gentle caution she had asked for during their intimacy, the times she had excused herself when she was feeling unwell—suddenly made sense in the worst way possible.
But what did this mean? How could he have been so blind?
Lola’s voice continued, dripping with scorn. “You’re not with Athena now, are you? I don’t think she can be with you anymore. She went to a hospital this afternoon for a miscarriage scare. George was right there beside her, of course. They’re probably enjoying a cozy moment somewhere, mocking you for being so stupid.”
Byron felt a surge of anger. “Mom, are you really so happy to see your son being cuckolded?”
Lola fell silent for a moment, the sharp retort she had prepared dying on her tongue. Byron’s words hung in the air like a weight.