Chapter 26 You Are Ruthless
Byron didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he deflected the question. “Why is Gabe here?” he asked, his tone low and probing.
“Mind your business!” Athena snapped, irritation bubbling to the surface. “Mr. Crawford, what’s wrong with you? Didn’t we make everything clear? If you keep pestering me like this, won’t you be afraid I’ll misunderstand and think you’ve fallen in love with me?”
Byron’s reaction was instant and intense. His eyes flared with anger. “Are you out of your mind?” he growled, gripping Athena’s chin and tilting her head back so their eyes locked. “Athena, what we agreed on was that you could leave if I got married. But I’m not married yet, so this relationship is far from over.”
Athena froze, stunned by his words, as if struck by lightning. Her eyes widened, a flicker of disbelief washing over her. “Byron… what are you talking about?” Her voice grew colder, the pain she had kept buried for so long now surfacing. “I’ve given you five years of my life. Even if you don’t love me, you can’t just treat me like this. You’re so ruthless.”
Byron hesitated, his mind racing, but he was lost for words.
Athena’s voice grew sharper with each word. “Do you think just because you’ve spent money on me, I’m some sort of product that always belongs to you?” She felt her emotions boiling over, her frustration and hurt spilling out. “I’ll give back everything you’ve ever given me. Just let me go!”
Byron’s heart sank at her words, a wave of panic rising in him. He didn’t understand why, but he was terrified by the thought of losing her. “No!” he blurted out, his voice a strangled cry of desperation.
Athena, seething with anger, shouted his name, “Byron!”
Her frustration turned into nausea, and before he could react, she pushed him away, rushing toward the bathroom. She slammed the door shut behind her and locked it, feeling the overwhelming urge to vomit. As she knelt beside the toilet, her body expelled the contents of her stomach, leaving her drained and exhausted.
Sitting on the cold tile floor, Athena ran a hand over her stomach. It seems the baby doesn’t like its father either, she thought bitterly, feeling the physical toll Byron’s presence had on her.
Outside, Byron was still processing the weight of their exchange when it hit him. He stood up slowly, walking toward the bathroom, but as he passed Athena’s bag, his hand brushed against it. The bag, wide open, tumbled to the ground, spilling its contents.
Byron bent down, instinctively reaching for the scattered items. His hand brushed over a few medicine boxes, but something caught his attention. A piece of paper with bright red letters lay partially hidden under some of the items.
Curiosity overtook him. He picked it up and read it word for word. As the meaning of the message sank in, his expression hardened. The paper contained two key pieces of information: someone was threatening Athena’s life, and the message was signed by her “boyfriend.”
The realization hit him like a cold wave, leaving him frozen for a moment, his mind struggling to process the implications.
Athena, after a few minutes, emerged from the bathroom, looking pale and worn. Her gaze fell on the scattered items, and panic surged through her. She hurriedly bent down, gathering everything into her bag.
“What’s this?” Byron’s voice, cool and controlled, cut through the silence as he handed her the paper.
“A death threat,” Athena replied, her voice shaky as she gathered the last of the things into her bag.
She turned toward the bedroom, her movements stiff with exhaustion. “Mr. Crawford, Mr. Hale knows exactly what happened. You can ask him. I’m not feeling well, and I need to rest.”
Byron followed her, his anger still simmering beneath the surface, especially at the mention of “boyfriend.” But he held it in, watching her retreat into the bedroom. She was pale, her eyes red from the tears she had barely held back.
Athena, ignoring him completely, removed her coat and crawled into the bed, pulling the blanket tightly around herself. She was done. She didn’t have the energy for this anymore.
Byron stood still for a moment, staring at her. He wanted to speak, to demand answers, but the anger in him was slowly fading, replaced by a deep ache in his chest.
After a long pause, he finally moved toward the bed. The weight of his presence made the mattress sink slightly. Athena felt him behind her, his familiar scent surrounding her as he pulled her into his arms, his embrace warm and comforting.
All his anger vanished as he held her close. In that moment, he realized that no matter how hard he tried to keep distance, he was still deeply attached to her. His heart softened, but Athena’s silence spoke volumes, and it cut deeper than any words ever could.
Byron closed his eyes, his body instinctively holding onto her, wishing he could undo the pain he had caused.