Chapter 76 Why Not Snatch Her Back?
“My mother hates mistresses. My grandfather was stubborn all his life. My grandmother… my grandmother never knew that I sold myself for the operation fee…”
“Stop, stop!” Byron urgently pulled Athena into his arms, attempting to silence her.
Athena’s voice trembled violently, her words breaking through with painful intensity. “And what did you do?” Her breath hitched, and tears fell onto Byron’s hands. “You stood there, with that mocking and contemptuous look, saying you bought me with money! They heard it! They know now! How can the dead accept this? My family will never rest in peace because of you! Byron Crawford! Do you even have a heart?”
Byron hadn’t considered the consequences before. His sole intention had been to dissuade George, to show Athena what it would be like when the truth came out.
“Thea, I didn’t mean to—” “Don’t call me that!” Athena’s words were sharp, full of anger and hurt. “I only let my family call me Thea.”
Athena took a deep, steadying breath, her eyes cold. “Since you already know my grandmother passed away, let me ask you something…” She clenched her teeth, her voice calm but full of an underlying fury. “What were you doing in Europe at that time?”
Byron froze, his face drained of color.
Athena’s eyelids fluttered shut as she let out a bitter laugh, her shoulders trembling slightly from the weight of everything she had carried in silence. Byron had no idea how closely she had been watching Freya’s whereabouts. Of course, she knew. Freya’s marriage had fallen apart around the same time Byron rushed to Europe. Her husband had been photographed with several blonde women on a beach, and soon after, Byron had followed, under the guise of a business trip.
But if he truly went for business, why hadn’t he taken Athena with him?
It wasn’t a coincidence. Athena knew that as soon as Byron left, something happened to Romy. Within two days, she passed away.
When Athena had been frightened and scared, Byron was probably with Freya.
“If you had told me about your grandmother, I would’ve come back,” Byron said, his voice heavy with regret. “No,” Athena responded, her smile barely there as she shook her head. Tears silently fell down her cheeks. “You wouldn’t have. I can even imagine what you would’ve said if I had told you.” She licked her dry lips, her voice cracking. “You would’ve given me a check and sent Liam to help me handle it. And if things weren’t going well between you and Freya at that time, you would’ve blamed me for telling you at such an inconvenient moment.” Byron’s denial came quickly. “I wouldn’t have done that!” Athena looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and sadness. “Byron, how much did you value me before I left?” Byron’s body stiffened, her words clearly striking a nerve. “Since you went to Europe, I’ve waited every day for you to come back with her and send me away. I’ve been your substitute all this time, haven’t I?” Athena’s voice was cold, full of resignation. “I just don’t get it. You were obviously tired of me. Then, miraculously, Freya’s husband cheats on her. You love her so much, yet you didn’t go and snatch her back.” The weight in Byron’s chest seemed to increase with every word she spoke. It was clear now—Athena had been waiting for him to choose Freya all along. She had wanted to leave him since the moment he left for Europe. “Do you not love me at all?” Byron’s voice was full of desperation. Athena met his gaze, feeling as if her heart were being torn to shreds. Then, without hesitation, she answered in a hollow, emotionless tone, “No.” She braced herself for the violence she expected to come from Byron. She thought he would strangle her, end her suffering with his rage. But instead, something unexpected happened. Byron gently tucked her loose hair behind her ear, his movements almost tender. “It doesn’t matter,” he said softly. “We still have a lot of time left. I have more than enough time to wait for you to fall in love with me.”