Chapter 99 Tell Him How She Felt
“Why?” Byron asked, confusion evident on his face.
The villa was obviously safer and more comfortable than her apartment. Besides, it was his place. In the past, he’d insisted that Athena not stay overnight here, wanting to keep things distant, to prevent any illusions between them. But now…
“Why?” Athena echoed, looking at him with a smile that seemed to wound him.
Her simple question cut deeper than he expected, like a sharp blade through his chest.
“I have too many bad memories of this place,” Athena said, her voice steady, yet filled with quiet bitterness. “Do you know how inconvenient it is to commute here? It takes twenty minutes just to walk to the gate of the community, and it’s almost impossible to get a taxi in the middle of the night.”
Byron was silent, but the weight of her words hung in the air. Athena took a breath before continuing.
“Do you still remember that time you insisted on eating a cake from that shop on Freya’s birthday? I nearly froze to death bringing it back, but what did you do?” She gestured to the living room, her eyes narrowing. “You threw the cake in the trash without even asking.”
Her voice grew more strained. “How many times have I been tortured by you just to satisfy your desires? And I always have to get up and leave like it’s nothing.”
She turned her gaze back to him, her eyes searching for something he couldn’t give. “Byron, why should I keep enduring all of this?”
Byron frowned, his thoughts churning. He walked over to her, his steps slow, deliberate. “If you’ve been unhappy, why didn’t you say something before?”
Athena let out a bitter laugh. “In the past, you paid me to serve you, so I kept quiet. Now…” She met his gaze with a mocking smile. “Now, if you don’t threaten me with my weaknesses, I won’t come back even if I die out there.”
Byron stood still, his emotions a tangled mess. He didn’t know what to say, how to respond to the truth Athena was laying bare. She was right, of course. He had never truly considered how his actions affected her beyond the surface.
Athena lowered her gaze, carrying the clothes she bought into the bedroom. She didn’t look back, the weight of the conversation hanging between them.
By the time she finished changing and came back, Byron was gone. She didn’t know what he would think after hearing her words, but honestly, she didn’t care anymore. She’d said what needed to be said.
Athena returned to the dining table, finishing the last of her Fluffernutter, the sweetness almost comforting against the storm of her thoughts.
She found herself lost in contemplation. Byron had just left without a word. Was she even allowed to go outside now? Was he angry enough to make things difficult for Evie?
As the doubt gnawed at her, Athena opened WhatsApp, ready to send Byron a message asking if she was free to leave. But before she could type anything, Byron’s message popped up on her phone.
[The car you often drive is in the garage. You can move back to the apartment if you don’t like it here.]
The simple, matter-of-fact message lifted a bit of the tension in her chest. She didn’t have to struggle with him anymore. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she quickly typed a reply.
[Thank you, Mr. Crawford.]
Her message sent, she felt the weight of the situation lift, even if just slightly. She was about to head out when her phone rang—Evie’s name flashing across the screen. Athena answered without hesitation.
“Are you awake?” she asked.
There was a brief silence before Evie’s voice came through, sounding odd. “I’m here. Where are you?”
Athena’s brow furrowed, her worry growing. “What’s wrong? Could it be about last night…?”
“No, I’m fine!” Evie rushed to reassure her. “Can you come back?”
“Of course. I’ll head over now,” Athena said, her voice soft but concerned.
“Great! I’ll grab your favorite dessert and wait for you!” Evie sounded more upbeat, but there was an edge to her voice that Athena couldn’t ignore.
After hanging up, Athena stood still for a moment, the odd tension in the air making her uneasy. Evie had always been careless, almost carefree in her demeanor. But today, something felt off. It was as if her friend had been holding something in—something troubling.
Could it be that Byron had done something to upset Evie or her family? Athena’s mind raced, but she quickly squashed the urge to call Byron and vent her frustration. What did it matter now? She’d done everything he asked of her last night. What else could he want from her?
Pushing the thought aside, Athena grabbed her keys and walked out the door, driving toward Evie’s house, her mind still spinning with questions.