Chapter 248 Leave It to Me
Athena looked at Rose, a flicker of hope in her eyes. Rose had always been the one person Athena could rely on, someone who understood the stakes and wasn’t afraid to go to extreme measures to ensure Athena’s safety.
“Are you sure?” Athena asked, her voice softer than usual. She had been overwhelmed by the idea of faking her death, but now, with Rose’s words, it seemed like the only option left. “Byron would never let me go easily. Even if I were to disappear, he’d search for me for the rest of his life.”
Rose’s expression softened, and she squeezed Athena’s hand. “You’re right. Byron won’t let you go, but if we do this carefully, it’ll be the only way to get you out of his reach. It’s not just about you—it’s about protecting your future, the future of your children, and your friends. They all deserve to be safe.”
Athena looked away, her thoughts drifting to George, the children, and everyone else who depended on her. She knew that as long as she was alive, Byron could reach her, and that meant he could hurt them. The idea of faking her death was terrifying, but it also seemed like the only escape route.
“What’s the plan?” Athena finally asked.
Rose leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “We need to make it look like an accident. A car crash, something that can’t easily be traced. With your connections and my resources, I can arrange it. It has to be believable, Athena. We can’t afford mistakes.”
Athena felt a lump form in her throat. The thought of leaving her life, of leaving everything behind, was suffocating. But she also knew that staying meant risking everything she held dear. There was no other way.
“I trust you,” Athena said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. “Let’s do it.”
Rose smiled reassuringly. “I’ll make sure everything is set up. We’ll get you out of here before Byron even knows what’s happening.”
Over the next few days, Athena and Rose meticulously planned the details. The idea of a staged car accident would involve multiple people, making it difficult for anyone to trace Athena’s disappearance back to them. They would ensure that the crash looked serious, with the right amount of physical damage to the car and a careful presentation of the scene. It would have to be chaotic enough to keep anyone from thinking it could be anything but an accident.
Meanwhile, Athena continued her daily routine with Evie, keeping up appearances and avoiding any contact with Byron or his men. It was painful, knowing that Byron was out there, still clinging to his hopes of a reconciliation, but Athena couldn’t afford to let her guard down.
One evening, as she sat with Evie, watching the sunset through the hospital window, Athena felt the weight of the decision she had made. It wasn’t just about surviving anymore—it was about finding a way to live for herself and her children, free from Byron’s control.
Evie looked at her with innocent curiosity. “Mom, are you okay?”
Athena smiled softly, brushing a lock of hair away from Evie’s face. “I’m okay, sweetheart. Don’t worry.”
Evie smiled back, though there was a hint of concern in her eyes. “Promise me you’ll always be okay, Mom.”
Athena’s heart tightened. “I promise.”
But deep down, Athena knew that nothing would be the same again. She was about to disappear from the world she once knew, and with that, everything would change. For better or worse, there was no turning back.