Chapter 78 Congratulations!
Athena collapsed after vomiting, her body wracked with exhaustion. The driver quickly squatted beside her, offering her water. She looked up at him, her face pale, as he hesitated before speaking.
“Miss Newton, the president has been very distressed lately,” he said softly. “He keeps looking for you… Please don’t be angry with him anymore.”
Athena rinsed her mouth, pressing a hand against her lower abdomen. How could she possibly return to Byron’s side? The child was growing every day, and it was only a matter of time before Byron found out.
She whispered to herself, trying to steady her nerves. “Athena… Stay calm. You must stay calm. There has to be a way to leave. There has to be.”
Taking a deep breath, Athena slowly stood, her body trembling with weakness.
The driver saw how unsteady she was and reached out to support her, but Athena quickly pulled away, not wanting his help.
Turning her head, she saw Byron sitting in the car, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that felt like he was waiting for her to make a choice. A choice that seemed all too familiar: to bow her head, return to him, and continue living in his world, like a bird in a cage.
Athena felt empty, hollow, as if her soul had already left her. With slow, deliberate steps, she walked back to him and sat down beside Byron. The corner of his mouth lifted, a satisfied smile playing across his lips.
“Accompany me on a business trip to Dunlop City first, and then we’ll return to Girard City,” Byron said, his voice calm, almost casual. “Later, just stay at Aeria Villa…”
Aeria Villa was Byron’s residence, and the thought of it made Athena’s chest tighten. She shook her head immediately. “No!”
Byron’s eyes darkened, and the tension in the air thickened. “Then we’ll move back to the apartment.”
“I have a place to live now,” Athena replied, her voice firm, despite the turmoil within her.
Byron’s eyes narrowed. “Evie’s shabby house?”
Athena frowned, staring at him, the anger bubbling up inside her.
“You have only two choices,” he continued coldly. “Either live with me or move back to the apartment.”
Athena’s mind raced. She couldn’t fight him—she couldn’t even try. She gritted her teeth, cursing her helplessness. She looked away, defeated, and made a compromise. “Apartment.”
Byron considered it for a moment before nodding. “All right. There are more memories belonging to both of us there. You’ll live there soon, and in time, you’ll remember the good things. The past we shared.”
Athena said nothing, her thoughts far away.
Not long after, George called her. Ignoring Byron’s gloomy gaze, Athena picked up the phone.
“Athena…” George’s voice came through, tentative.
“Athena,” she responded coldly, “it’s just as he said. I have nothing to explain. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
Byron frowned, his thoughts racing. “What does she have to be sorry for?” he thought, confused and a bit irritated.
There was a pause on the line before George spoke again, his voice deliberate. “I will always keep my word.”
Athena froze, her heart fluttering with confusion. “What is he talking about? What did he promise?” she wondered, but she remained silent and gave a vague response. “I know.”
She didn’t want Byron to suspect anything, so she kept the conversation short. “My boss will pay for your medical expenses. I’m sorry about today’s incident.”
With that, the conversation ended, and Athena hung up.
“Did you hear that?” she said, looking at Byron with exhaustion in her eyes. “Give him his medical expenses and lost wages.”
Byron sneered, clearly irritated. “Fine, you’re the one to decide.”
Athena’s gaze lowered, hiding the fatigue and frustration in her expression.
Shortly after, Athena followed Byron to Dunlop City, her mind swirling with the emotions she couldn’t voice.
Upon arriving, they were greeted by a business partner’s representative, who immediately congratulated Byron on his engagement.
Byron glanced at Athena, who had changed into her business suit. She stood behind him with a blank expression, offering no indication of the turmoil inside her.
The meeting began, and Athena took her place at the seat designated for Byron’s secretary. She powered on the computer, preparing to take minutes, her hands moving mechanically as she focused on the task at hand.
Byron watched her from across the room. It had been days since he had felt any sense of calm, but seeing Athena beside him, her presence grounded him in ways he hadn’t anticipated. Despite everything that had happened, the agitated storm in his heart was slowly starting to settle, and it seemed like, for the moment, everything was back in its place.
But for Athena, nothing felt settled. The weight of their fractured relationship and the choices she had to make continued to press down on her.