Chapter 253 A Big Smile
Athena forced a smile, though the tension in her body was palpable. She couldn’t let herself forget why she was here. Byron had a way of making her feel like she was still under his control, even when she tried to distance herself emotionally. But today, she wouldn’t let him win. She would play along, but on her own terms.
“Thank you, Liam,” Athena replied, her voice polite but distant. She could feel Byron’s gaze on her, like a weight pressing down on her shoulders, but she refused to show any signs of weakness.
Byron, who had been quietly watching Athena, seemed pleased by the attention, his pride swelling. He wasn’t one to show vulnerability, but Athena’s resistance today had stirred something in him. It was a constant battle between them, one that seemed to grow more intense with every passing day.
As they walked into the room, the air was thick with business chatter. The conference had already started, and the mood was tense, but Athena felt detached. Her mind wandered, her thoughts focused on the situation she had found herself in. What did she really want? Was she still hoping for Byron to change, or had she already made up her mind to leave? The thought of it made her feel hollow.
Byron led her to their seats, his hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the room. The usual business crowd was present, some of them greeting him with enthusiastic smiles, while others whispered behind their hands, no doubt speculating on the state of his marriage. Athena could feel the stares, but she kept her face expressionless.
She knew how this game worked.
As the meeting progressed, Byron was consumed by the discussions at the table. Athena, on the other hand, was barely paying attention, lost in her thoughts. Occasionally, Byron would glance at her, his eyes softening when he thought no one was looking. But she didn’t respond to his silent gestures. She couldn’t. Not anymore.
Liam, noticing the tension between them, leaned in towards Athena as the meeting went on.
“You look different today,” he commented quietly, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “Is everything okay with you and Mr. Crawford?”
Athena met his gaze, her smile faltering just slightly. “Everything is fine,” she said, the words feeling hollow even as they left her lips.
Liam studied her for a moment, sensing the underlying tension. “If you ever need to talk, I’m here,” he said gently.
Athena nodded, appreciating the kindness but knowing there was nothing anyone could say that would fix what was broken between her and Byron.
Byron caught her eye again, this time more intently, but she quickly looked away. She wasn’t going to let him manipulate her into thinking things were still the same. He had crossed a line, and no amount of sweetness or fake affection could make her forget what he had done.
As the meeting continued, Athena’s thoughts drifted further away from the discussions at hand. What was the point of all this? The wealth, the status, the endless meetings—it all seemed so empty to her now. She had once thought it was everything, but now it felt like a cage, one that she had built around herself without realizing it.
Byron’s voice broke through her thoughts, calling her name softly. “Thea?”
Athena blinked, shaking herself out of her reverie. “Sorry, I was just thinking.”
He seemed to accept the excuse, his eyes still softening as if he wanted to reach out to her, but she remained resolute.
She couldn’t afford to be weak. Not now.