Chapter 83 Antidote That Cured Him
Athena couldn’t bring herself to speak. She wasn’t sure how to react to Byron’s presence, especially when he was standing there bare-chested, his toned physique clearly the result of careful exercise and a healthy diet. Despite herself, Athena couldn’t help but admire him. She had been obsessed with him for a long time—well, not just a while, but ever since she knew him. The obsession hadn’t waned, not even when he was on the verge of marrying someone else.
Two years ago, Athena had a run-in with a woman connected to Gideon—a manipulative figure who enjoyed toying with Athena. One day, the woman had opened her private photo album on her phone and shown Athena dozens of pictures of men in nothing but boxers.
“The newly opened club is full of strong strippers,” the woman said with a sly grin. “How about having some fun while Byron’s away on a business trip?”
Athena had glanced at the photos, not at all interested. It wasn’t that she lacked desire, but none of the men in the photos could hold a candle to Byron. Byron was simply the best in every way, and she couldn’t bring herself to think of any other man in the same light.
The woman didn’t give up so easily. She even packaged the album and sent it to Athena, but Byron found out. And after that, the woman mysteriously disappeared from Athena’s life. At first, Athena had feared the worst—that Byron had taken matters into his own hands. She had worried about her, but later discovered the woman was the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy financial mogul. Despite her status, she was adored by her father, and she hadn’t met any tragic fate. She had just been punished for her behavior.
Athena smiled at the memory, but then realized she had caught Byron’s attention. He raised an eyebrow.
“What are you laughing at?” he asked, as Athena helped him button up his shirt.
Her thoughts had wandered again, and she unconsciously raised the corners of her lips. Realizing this, she quickly covered up, hoping to annoy Byron a little.
“Mr. Crawford, those strippers, who aren’t as good-looking as you, can earn anywhere from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand dollars a night. What a pity,” Athena said with mock regret, as if it were truly a loss that Byron didn’t have to resort to such work because he was so rich.
Byron didn’t seem offended, but rather curious. Athena was betting on the idea that he might get upset at being compared to those men, but if he did, maybe it would give her the chance to escape his grasp for a while.
Byron reached out, gently pinching her chin. His fingers lightly stroked her jawline, sending an involuntary shiver through her.
“I’ve been with you for five years without earning a single dollar, and still, I give you money. Why are you acting like you’re the one pitied?” His deep, bewitching gaze made her feel weak at the knees.
Athena couldn’t deny that what he said made a twisted sort of sense. She felt both irritated and strangely moved by his words. He always had a way of making her question her own thoughts.
“Do you think I’m in good shape?” Byron continued, his voice dropping lower.
Athena was caught off guard. “Am I beautiful?” he asked next, his voice almost teasing.
Trying to avoid his burning gaze, Athena quickly diverted the conversation. “The time’s almost up, and I want to have breakfast…” she said, hoping to escape his intense scrutiny.
Byron sighed deeply, brushing his lips against her ear before gently biting the tip of it. “Compared to breakfast, I want to eat something else,” he whispered.
Athena froze, unsure how to respond. At that very moment, the doorbell rang, and she seized the opportunity to flee.
“I’ll go and open the door!” she said, scrambling to push open the cloakroom door and escaping the tension-filled room.
Byron, left alone in the room, shook with quiet laughter. He realized that in all the years of their complicated relationship, moments like this—when Athena was by his side—were better than anything else. He had everything he needed, and yet it was moments like this, when he was with her, that made him feel whole.
He had been wounded once, and five years ago, Athena had been the antidote that healed him.