From Betrayal to Brilliance: Her Rise to a New Life Free Preview

Athena Hall stood in the kitchen, carefully arranging the last dish on the table. She adjusted the silverware, made sure the candles were lit, and glanced at the clock once more. Her heart fluttered a little with excitement, but also with a tinge of anxiety. Lewis Belmont, her husband, was supposed to pick up their son, Dion, from his mother Bridget's place. Athena had been looking forward to this day, imagining how nice it would be to finally have them all together, just the three of them, to celebrate her birthday like a normal family. It had been far too long since they had a night like this.

When everything was finally ready, her phone rang.

"I'm working late. Not coming home," Lewis said, completely flat.

"Lewis, today is my—"

The line went dead before she could finish.

She stared at the phone, the beeping tone drilling into her ears as something heavy settled in her chest.

She had only wanted him to know it was her birthday. One night. She just needed him for one night after he'd already worked six days straight.

Then the world exploded.

A deafening blast shook the entire building. The lights went out. Heat slammed into her. She hit the floor and pain shot up her leg as a cabinet came crashing down on her shin. Flames crawled up the walls, smoke thickening so fast she could hardly breathe.

Athena clawed for her phone and dialed Lewis.

"The number you have reached is unavailable. Please try again later."

Why wasn't he picking up...

By some miracle, firefighters dragged her out alive. She later learned the explosion had come from a gas leak downstairs. Her leg was broken, and she had burns across her body.

As medics lifted her toward the ambulance, she heard someone shouting in panic:

"My wife is hurt! Get her in the ambulance right now!"

She froze.

That… was Lewis.

Wasn't he supposed to be at work?

Through the smoke and pain, Athena forced herself up just enough to see him—frantic, shouting at the medics… with a woman in his arms. He held her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

Eight years of marriage, and Athena had never seen him panic like that.

Beside him, little Dion cried as he clung to the woman, sobbing, "Please help my mom! She's hurt!"

One medic said calmly, "Sir, we have to prioritize the most critical patient. This lady is in danger. She needs to go first."

"Lewis… it hurts…" the woman whimpered, burying her face in his chest.

Lewis's expression twisted. "No one is more important than my wife!"

But he wasn't looking at Athena when he said it.

Dion's cries grew louder. "Please help my mom! Don't be scared, Mom—we're almost at the hospital!"

A second medic stepped in. “Mr. Belmont, we'll get you arranged. Which floor are you on?"

"Building Ten. Twenty-eighth floor."

"And the injured lady here is from the twentieth floor, right below you. Can the two of you ride together to the hospital?"

Athena's blood turned to ice.

He had another home.

Another life.

Just eight floors above her—and her son was calling another woman "Mom." As if they were a real family.

Athena pushed herself off the stretcher, wincing as pain shot through her body. She looked at the three of them—Lewis, Dion, and the woman he held—and her voice came out like ice.

"Forget it. Give them the ambulance."

Lewis and Dion both turned, stunned.

They hadn't even realized she was the one in the ambulance.

Athena finally saw the woman's face clearly. Nina Green. The maid's daughter. Years ago, Lewis's parents had forced them apart because she came from a poor background. After they broke up, he met Athena… and married her.

Lewis's expression hardened. After a long pause, he said, "Nina's hurt. I'll explain later."

And without sparing Athena a single glance, he carried Nina into the ambulance.

Dion looked back at Athena once—hesitating for the briefest second—then followed them without a word.

…

Half an hour later, Athena was in the hospital when she overheard nurses whispering.

Apparently Nina only had a few scratches, yet Lewis acted like she was dying. He'd pulled an ER doctor straight from a critical patient and demanded he treat Nina first.

The nurses giggled about how lucky Nina was—to have a man so devoted.

Athena looked down at her cast, a bitter smile twisting her lips. First her hand, now her leg. Her whole life was breaking.

She wheeled herself down the hall, searching for Lewis and Dion. But when she passed an open door, voices inside made her stop cold.

"Athena's in the hospital too," Nina said softly. "Aren't you going to check on her?"

Lewis's voice was low and cold. "Nina, you're Dion's real mother. No one is more important than you. Years ago, I made sure Athena's daughter would never live—so she could raise yours instead. My Nina is a princess. You deserve a carefree life. Athena's just a little injured. You're the one who matters."

Nina's sweet laugh floated out. "Lewis, I love you."

Athena felt something tear inside her. Her fingers dug into the armrests of her wheelchair until her nails bent backward.

Dion isn't my child!

Lewis killed my baby!

My daughter—she's your daughter too, Lewis!

How could you...

All those sleepless nights she'd spent rocking Dion to sleep. Every scraped knee she'd tended. Every birthday she'd celebrated with him. Every moment she'd loved him with her whole heart—

He'd never been hers.

For eight years, she'd been nothing more than a nanny. A stand-in for the woman Lewis truly loved.

She didn't remember how she got back to her hospital room. She lay on the bed, numb, hollow, barely breathing.

My daughter. My little girl. I never even got to see you.

The door opened. Lewis walked in, expression blank. "I just finished everything and came to check on you."

Athena let out a soft, humorless laugh.

"You should be checking on Nina, not me."

Lewis frowned, annoyed. "Athena, what's with you? I brought Nina here, that's it. Why are you being so dramatic? I treat her like a sister. Why are you jealous?"

Sister?

The same "sister" you had a baby with.

How disgusting.

Right then, Dion burst in. He had overheard enough. His small face twisted with anger as he glared at Athena.

"Mom, why are you fighting with Dad? Nina is my godmother! Dad didn't do anything wrong—you're the one being mean! How dare you get mad at him?"

To him, Athena was the problem.

"Of course I don't blame you," Athena said quietly. "And since everything is so perfect for the three of you… fine. I'll step aside. Let's get divorced."

Lewis's face darkened. "What nonsense are you talking about? Just because I brought Nina to the hospital? If that's what upset you, fine—I'll apologize. Happy now?"

No apology could bring my baby girl back.

Tears slipped from Athena's eyes as the weight of everything crashed down. She wished she had never saved Lewis years ago. She wished she had never met him.

She hated him so much it made her shake. She wanted him to bleed for what he had taken from her.

Seeing her tears, Lewis's expression softened. He stepped forward, touched her head gently, and spoke in a coaxing tone.

"Athena, relax. Nina's father works for our family. I only brought her here because it was an emergency. Don't overthink it." He smiled softly, as if talking to a child. "You're upset right now. Once you calm down, we'll talk again."

Dion huffed, arms crossed. "Mom, I'm hurt too and you didn't even care. Nina was the one asking if I was okay.

"And you're always poking me with those needles. You force Dad to drink that awful soup you make! Your cooking is horrible. Not like Nina—her food is so good!"

He stomped his foot. "I wish you were even half as good as her!"

Every word stabbed deeper.

He didn't know those needles kept his allergies under control.

He didn't know that "soup" was herbal medicine Lewis needed for his stomach.

And Athena—silently—had given everything.

Athena lowered her eyes, a faint, humorless smile tugging at her lips.

To them, everything she'd done was nothing more than her "torturing" them.

Her pain? Her burns? Her broken leg?

Just a tantrum in their eyes.

She rolled over in bed, turning her back on father and son. She didn't want to see their faces anymore. She wanted them gone—shut out completely.

Lewis's brow tightened, irritation flashing across his sharp features. “Athena! Who are you putting on this show for? Dion's right—you've taken this way too far."

Dion crossed his arms, chin raised. "Mom, you're gonna regret treating Dad like this!"

Before Athena could even open her mouth, Lewis's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, expression shifting. Then he answered.

The room was pin-drop silent, so Athena heard it clearly: Nina's soft sobbing pouring through the speaker, begging him to come.

Lewis stiffened. "Dion, let's go."

He shot Athena a hard, cutting look before walking out with their son.

The silence they left behind hollowed out the room. Athena let out a bitter, breathless laugh.

Her life really had become a joke.

A husband who wasn't hers.

A son who wasn't hers.

A family that never belonged to her.

She swallowed the ache rising in her chest, pulled out her phone, and dialed.

"Riley, I need your help. I'm filing for divorce."

The voice on the other end practically exploded.

“Boss? Boss! You finally snapped out of it? We all thought you had lost it! Vanishing for eight years, pretending to be a stay-at-home wife, hiding your identity—seriously, we thought you were gone for good!"

Athena went still.

Maybe she really had lost her mind.

So many years ago, she had met Lewis when he was being hunted. She had stepped in to save him—taken a blade that severed her hand tendons. Surgery helped, but she would never touch a scalpel again. She would never race a car again.

Her piano was the only thing left.

But her hands never healed well enough. Her fingers had grown stiff. Her music became uneven, clumsy. Eventually, even that slipped through her fingers.

Eight years.

Eight years of silence.

Eight years of living as someone she wasn't.

"Boss, relax," Riley said. "If you want a divorce, we'll make it happen."

Athena blinked back into focus. "How long?"

"For normal people? A week. For the Belmonts… maybe a month."

“Fine.”

She hung up and lay back, staring at the ceiling.

If something wasn't hers, she didn't want to hold onto it anymore.

One month.

After that, she and Lewis would be done—forever.

Outside the hospital, Dion clutched Lewis's hand. "Dad… is Mommy really mad? Are you guys gonna get divorced?"

"No," Lewis scoffed under his breath.

Then he added firmly, "She will never divorce me."

Athena had been a stay-at-home wife from the moment she married him. Eight years of isolation from the world. No family to rely on. No friends left.

Lewis was her only support—at least, that's what he believed.

Without him, she'd crumble. She had no choice but to stay.

Dion whispered, "But Dad… if you guys did get divorced, that wouldn't be so bad. Then Nina could be my mom. And maybe… maybe I wouldn't have to get shots anymore."

Lewis's expression darkened. "Stop talking nonsense. Let's go."

...

Later, Athena saw the news footage.

Her condo was burned beyond recognition—nothing but blackened ruins.

It felt like fate itself was cutting the final thread between her and Lewis, burning their past to ash.

She wouldn't even need to pack. There was nothing left to salvage.

Her leg was shattered from the explosion, wrapped in a heavy cast, but she didn't need to stay hospitalized. She checked herself out that same afternoon.

She called her assistant, Kit Rice, to pick her up, then waited in the lobby.

Suddenly, a little girl collapsed not far from her, clutching her chest, face pale and contorted in agony.

Athena's instincts surged forward.

This wasn't ordinary pain—this was respiratory distress.

Grabbing her crutch, she hobbled over, lowered herself beside the child, and checked her condition swiftly, methodically.

Despite the girl's eyes being squeezed shut, Athena could see her features—delicate, striking. She would grow into a stunning young woman one day.

The symptoms were painfully familiar.

Just like Dion's rare allergy.

Unpredictable attacks. No permanent cure. But they could be eased.

Without hesitation, Athena reached into her coat and pulled out the silver needles she always carried. Her movements were fast, precise. She placed them at the right pressure points one by one.

Color slowly returned to the child's face.

Her breathing steadied.

Athena let out a long breath of relief.

Just then, a pair of pale, strong hands reached down as a man moved in to lift the girl.

Athena looked up—and blinked.

Zaden Storm.

Tall, sharp and coldly handsome, with a commanding presence that made people instinctively obey him.

She knew him. He and Lewis belonged to the same wealthy circle. They'd crossed paths at events, though never spoken much.

Rumor said he had a daughter. Rumor never said who the mother was.

And now Athena knew who the girl was.

"Wait," Athena said.

She carefully removed each silver needle before giving him a nod. “Alright. You can pick her up."

Zaden's dark eyes lingered on her, something unreadable there. Clearly, he hadn't expected her to have skills like this.

The little girl finally opened her eyes. When she saw him, she lifted her hand weakly. “Daddy…”

Zaden gathered her into his arms at once. His voice softened, low and warm. "Don't be scared, Teri. Daddy's here."

He turned to Athena. "Thank you, Mrs. Belmont."

Athena forced a smile at the title.

Soon, she wouldn't be Mrs. Belmont anymore.

Doctors rushed in then, pushing a wheelchair for little Teri Storm. By the time Zaden looked back to check on Athena, she had vanished.

Outside, Athena pulled open the SUV door and climbed in.

Kit turned, eyes wide. “Ms. Athena, what happened? You look like you've been through a war."

Athena let out a small, ironic laugh.

Why had she ever let herself fall this low? She should've never let it happen.

"How's your task going?" she asked.

Kit brightened. "Already working on it. The law isn't exactly on the side of housewives, but we'll get him another way. I'm gathering evidence on Lewis as we speak."

Athena nodded faintly. She didn't care about the money.

She was just tired—tired of playing the dutiful wife her father had wanted her to be. She had done her duty for eight years.

In one month, the divorce would finalize.

Then she could finally be herself again.

"Let's go."

The SUV pulled away, disappearing into traffic.

Not long after, Lewis's car rolled out of the hospital. Nina sat beside him, Dion nestled comfortably against her.

They looked like the picture of a perfect, happy family.

"Lewis… our house burned down. What should we do?" Nina asked nervously.

"We'll move into one of my villas," Lewis said.

Excitement lit Nina's face—followed quickly by worry. "But… what if your mother finds out?"

"No one will know—unless someone talks."

His eyes slid to the driver. Lewis's assistant, Ned Hum, stiffened and quickly said, "Mr. Belmont, I won't say a word."

"What about Athena?" Nina whispered.

Lewis let out a dismissive scoff. "She wouldn't dare."

Unless Athena wanted a divorce, she would never tell his mother.

And divorce? Athena would never leave him.

She could sulk, cry, or pout for a few days…

but in the end, she'd crawl back.

Lewis was sure of it.

He knew Athena too well.

Lewis brought Nina to one of his villas.

The instant she stepped inside, her whole face lit up. She spun around, taking in the polished floors and the high-end decoration, her voice full of delight. "Lewis, this place is gorgeous!"

Lewis slid a hand into his pocket, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "From now on, this will be our home."

Nina rushed over and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

The warmth of her lips startled him—and for one ridiculous second, he thought of Athena. She had always been quiet, restrained, distant… never the type to initiate anything, let alone kiss him with open affection like this.

Realizing his thoughts had drifted to her, Lewis let out a dry smirk.

Why the hell would she cross my mind now?

"Lewis!" Nina tapped his arm. "What are you spacing out for? Did you even hear me?"

“What?”

"I said, to celebrate our move, I want Cajun boil for dinner tonight!"

Lewis paused. Athena used to forbid him and Dion from touching spicy food. She'd claim it would hurt his stomach, then force herbal soups on him instead.

He'd hated the taste, but drank them anyway.

And come to think of it… his stomach problems hadn't come back for years.

Maybe she exaggerated those warnings. Maybe she'd just wanted to play the caring, controlling wife.

Lewis smiled gently at Nina. "Whatever you want to eat, we'll eat."

Dion piped up immediately, trying to sound grown. "I want it too! If Nina likes spicy food, I want to learn to like it too!"

Nina laughed, warmed by the attention from both father and son. "Alright, but don't come crying when your tongue burns."

"I won't! I'm a man!" Dion declared proudly.

…

Meanwhile, Kit drove Athena to the apartment under her name—a small place her father had left her. It wasn't huge, but the location was great.

After marrying Lewis, she moved out. She never rented it out; the place held too many memories of her parents. It was the only thing they left behind.

As she was getting out of the car, Kit peeked at her through the rearview mirror, grinning. “Ms. Athena, feeling down because of the divorce? How about I take you out to eat tonight?"

Athena paused, then corrected him flatly, "No. I'm in a fantastic mood. Leaving a jerk feels amazing. But I will need your help cleaning."

They climbed the old five-story building together—no elevator, just narrow stairs. Years ago, Athena had replaced the lock with a fingerprint system, so she could still get inside despite losing everything else.

Dust blanketed every surface. She had just opened her mouth to speak when her phone buzzed.

An unfamiliar number.

Frowning, she answered silently.

A deep, magnetic voice flowed through the speaker. “Athena?”

"You are…?"

Something about his voice tugged at her memory. Familiar, steady, low.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"You're Zaden!" Her brows dipped. "What do you want?"

How did he even get my number?

A soft, controlled breath came through the line. Then, calmly: "Teri had another episode. The family doctor couldn't help her this time. You treated her before—could you look at her again? Since your leg is injured, we'll come to you."

She remembered how he'd noticed her cast earlier.

Instead of summoning her over, he offered to bring his daughter to her door.

That alone left a surprisingly good impression.

She thought of the fragile girl at the hospital—and her heart softened.

Years ago, she'd lost her own daughter, taken from this world too soon—before she ever had the chance to see it. Maybe that was why she felt an instinctive tenderness toward Zaden's little girl.

She couldn't refuse.

"…Alright," Athena said quietly. "Come over."

She gave him the address and hung up. Kit stared at her in shock.

“Ms. Athena, is this your new guy? Zaden… that name sounds familiar."

Athena flicked him on the forehead. "Don't be ridiculous. Just a patient."

Thirty minutes later, Zaden showed up carrying his tiny daughter.

Athena had already prepared a makeshift bed. Teri lay on it, pale and sweating, small whimpers slipping out of her.

The sight hit Athena hard—Dion used to look exactly like this.

She'd nursed him through countless episodes. Every time he cried or threw a tantrum, she held him steady… while Lewis stood on the side, frustrated and impatient, accusing her of torturing the boy or pestering her about when Dion would finally recover.

Zaden stood at the bedside, tall and sharply built—long legs, broad shoulders, a trim waist. His presence filled the small room instantly.

"She felt sick after dinner," he said. "The family doctor checked her—it's the same issue."

Helplessness edged his voice.

Over the years, he had sought the best doctors, but none helped. Athena was the only one who brought relief so quickly.

"Alright, let me look."

Athena calmed Teri and began the treatment. Ten minutes later, the symptoms eased. Soon, Teri relaxed completely.

Her big dark eyes blinked open, staring at Athena with quiet curiosity. Not a single complaint, not a single tear.

Such a sweet child.

"Your name's Teri, right? Don't be scared—all better now."

Teri nodded timidly.

Athena grabbed her crutch and slowly stood. "Normally, after one episode, she shouldn't relapse so soon. She must've eaten something that triggered her allergy."

Zaden's expression darkened. He dialed immediately. "Check tonight's dinner."

When the call ended, the room fell silent.

“Mr. Storm, you can go—"

Growl.

Her stomach betrayed her with an unmistakable, hungry roar.

Athena froze.

Heat crawled up her neck. She wished she could disappear into the floor.

Of all possible moments…

She hadn't eaten all day. She'd cooked earlier, waiting for Lewis and Dion… only for everything to fall apart. Then the hospital. No wonder she was starving.

Zaden let out a low chuckle.

“Ms. Hall," he said, voice gentle, "sorry for taking so much of your time tonight."

"It's fine." She forced composure.

If they left now, she could still cook a quick bowl of pasta.

But Zaden didn't move.

Her head was spinning with hunger. Finally, she gave up on pretending. “Mr. Storm, I haven't eaten all night. I'm afraid I can't entertain you—"

"I already ordered food." He settled onto her couch, long legs crossed casually. "Hope you don't mind the liberty."

Athena stared at him, speechless.

You already did it—what can I possibly say?

…

Meanwhile, at the villa, Lewis, Nina, and Dion were tearing into a Cajun seafood boil.

Dion, desperate to impress Nina, stuffed his mouth until his face flushed red and his lips went numb. Still, he forced a brave grin, insisting the spice didn't bother him.

With Nina cheering him on, Lewis ate more than he should've too.

After dinner, Lewis leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes—and a sharp, familiar pain twisted in his stomach.

His vision darkened.

His stomach problem was back.

Sweat beaded across Lewis's forehead. He clutched his stomach hard, gasping for breath as another sharp wave of pain stabbed through him.

Not again.

He remembered this kind of pain—years ago. Back then, Athena had given him something, and the agony vanished almost instantly.

Athena…

He fumbled for his phone and dialed her number.

"The number you have dialed is no longer in service. Please check the number and try again."

Lewis went still.

He had expected her to pick up right away. Instead—

What?

She blocked me?

A surge of anger shot through him. How dare Athena cut him off like this?

The burst of fury only made the cramps worse. He doubled over with a groan, certain he was about to die right there on the couch.

“Lewis! Something's wrong! Dion's having an allergic reaction!"

Nina rushed into the room, Dion limp in her arms.

The boy's face was flushed red, rashes blooming across his skin as he whimpered in pain.

When Nina spotted Lewis lying pale and drenched in sweat, she gasped. "Lewis, what's wrong with you?"

Lewis looked at Dion, disbelief flickering through him. Him too?

Forcing himself upright, he managed a strained whisper, "Maybe that Cajun boil was too spicy for my stomach…"

Before he could finish, Nina burst into tears.

"I didn't know this would happen! I just wanted to celebrate moving into the new house. I'm so sorry!"

She collapsed beside him, sobbing into her hands.

Her crying only worsened the pounding in Lewis's skull. His head felt like it was splitting open.

If Athena were here, she wouldn't be crying—she'd already be fixing everything.

Damn it.

Why is she on my mind again? Does she really think blocking my number will make me chase after her?

His fury spiked. He slammed the call through to Ned and barked, "My stomach pain is back. Get an ambulance here, now!"

He figured the hospital could fix it.

But the pain only got worse there.

Even the strong painkillers didn't help.

Lewis lost it.

"Are you all useless? You can't even treat a minor stomachache?!”

"Please calm down, Mr. Belmont," Ned said carefully.

Seeing Lewis's condition, he added in a low voice, "Maybe we should call Mrs. Belmont. She might—"

"Shut up!"

Lewis snapped, face dark.

So that was her plan—using his stomach issues to control him. If he went crawling back, she'd hold it over his head forever.

No.

I would never beg her!

After a chaotic stretch of misery, Lewis's pain finally dulled. Dion's allergic reaction was under control too.

But both father and son looked like they had survived a war—pale, exhausted, miserable.

"Dad… I feel awful. Can I have some water?" Dion whispered weakly from his hospital bed.

Lewis sat hunched on the nearby couch, still sickly pale. His brows drew together in irritation.

"Can't you see I'm sick too?" he snapped.

The kid expected his half-dead father to wait on him? Ungrateful.

"Lewis, don't be mad at Dion. I'll get the water," Nina said quickly.

She rushed to pour him a cup and held it up to Dion's lips.

He took one sip—and immediately spat it out.

"This water is bitter! It's not sweet at all! I want sweet water!"

Nina's eyes welled up again.

"It can't be bitter. It's just normal water."

"It's bitter! I don't want it!" Dion wailed, kicking and rolling on the bed.

Lewis's face darkened. His patience was almost gone.

Ned spoke up softly, "Mr. Belmont… when Dion got sick before, Mrs. Belmont always gave him honey water."

Nina blinked helplessly. "Where am I supposed to get honey?"

Lewis gritted his teeth. "Ned, go buy a bottle."

Ten minutes later, Ned returned with a jar. Nina mixed the honey water hurriedly and offered it to Dion.

One sip—and Dion gagged, then burst into fresh tears.

"It's wrong! It doesn't taste the same!"

Nina stood frozen, tears streaming down her face. "Lewis… what do we do?"

Lewis rubbed his temples, feeling his sanity unravel.

How would I know?!

Athena had always handled Dion. She never asked him to help, so he never learned any of this.

Frustrated and overwhelmed, Lewis nearly snapped at Dion—but the boy cried himself into exhaustion and drifted off to sleep.

Lewis pinched the bridge of his nose, defeated.

For the first time, nothing went his way.

Dion wouldn't listen.

Nina couldn't do anything besides cry.

And he—he felt like he was drowning.

Just then, Ned stepped in again. "Sir, there's a problem with a project at the company."

Lewis shot to his feet. "Stay here with Dion. I need to go."

"Lewis… it's so late. You're still going to work?" Nina's eyes were swollen red. "If you leave… what am I supposed to do by myself?"

She had never cared for Dion alone—not even for a single day.

Tonight had already pushed her to her limit.

Lewis sighed tiredly.

"Athena's still mad. She won't come back for a while. You'll have to hold on for a couple days. Once she cools off and returns, you won't have to worry."

Nina sniffed and nodded. “Alright.”

…

Athena was quietly eating the takeout Zaden had ordered.

She never imagined her birthday would look like this—strangely peaceful, yet also the day she lost both her husband and her child.

Her phone rang. She answered.

Before she could say a word, Nina's frantic voice exploded through the speaker. “Athena! Your son had an allergic reaction! He's in the hospital—you need to come take care of him!"

Athena set her fork down and let out a cold little laugh.

"How did that happen?"

"I—I don't know! Maybe he ate the wrong thing!"

Athena knew Dion's allergies better than anyone. She had spent years managing every detail of his diet. Under her care, nothing had ever happened.

And now, the moment he was back with Nina, he landed in the ER.

It was almost pathetic.

"If you don't want to tell me, then forget it," she said, ready to hang up.

Nina panicked. "H-he ate a little spicy Cajun boil."

Athena's laugh sharpened. "A little? More like you fed him half the pot."

Nina's voice trembled. "Athena, your son is sick. Don't you care?"

My son?

The words stabbed straight into her chest.

For years, she had raised Dion like her own—day and night, no breaks, no complaints.

And the truth?

He wasn't hers.

He was Nina and Lewis's child.

He had never belonged to her.

Athena's expression hardened.

Her voice turned cold and steady.

"I can't come. You take care of him."

She hung up.

Athena inhaled slowly, steadying her breath. She refused to break down—not here, not now, not with two people sitting beside her.

When she finally lifted her head, she met Zaden's deep, steady gaze—quiet, observant, concerned.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

His voice was gentle in a way that made her chest tighten.

Since everything had blown up, this was the first time Athena had felt genuine kindness from a stranger.

Her eyes stung—she almost lost control right there.

But she swallowed the emotion back down.

"I'm fine," she said with a steady face and a small, polite smile. "Just a family issue, Mr. Storm. Please don't mind it."

She glanced toward the doorway.

Teri had already climbed out of bed. The little girl stood there silently, watching her with big, curious eyes—eyes that looked exactly like Zaden's.

"Teri is better now. As long as you watch her diet, she won't have another flare-up anytime soon. It's getting late. Mr. Storm, take Teri home."

The message was clear—she was sending them off.

Zaden understood she wasn't in the mood to entertain anyone. He didn't push. Rising to his feet, he said gently, "Thank you for tonight, Ms. Hall. I'll repay you another day."

Once Zaden and Teri left, the house fell into a deep, hollow quiet.

Athena's expression sank. Her whole aura dimmed.

The warm yellow glow from the living room lamps wrapped around her thin figure, stretching her shadow long across the floor—lonely, fragile, almost breakable.

As much as she told herself she needed to let go, the truth was cruel and simple—she genuinely loved the boy.

She had raised Dion for eight long years. Pretending there was no bond at all would be a blatant lie.

But every time she remembered that Dion was truly Nina's child—while her own daughter's tiny body had been reduced to nothing—her heart felt like it was being carved open again and again.

At least the people who didn't belong to her would be out of her life soon.

In just one month, they'd be gone for good.

...

“Mr. Belmont, we still haven't been able to locate Mrs. Belmont."

Ned stood stiffly in front of Lewis's desk, reporting the latest update.

Back at the hospital, Nina had called several times, sobbing hysterically that Dion was acting up and she couldn't calm him down.

Athena had hung up on her. Completely ignoring Dion.

Ned had even suggested going to find Athena himself, but Lewis said nothing—he didn't approve, didn't deny.

But in the end, Athena had left the hospital. And now no one knew where she went.

"This is your idea of competence?" Lewis growled, fingers tightening around his pen as he shot Ned a freezing glare.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Belmont. I'll continue searching."

Lewis took a slow breath. Yelling wouldn't solve anything.

But the frustration and stress churned in his stomach, and the familiar, sharp ache returned. His face drained of color as he pressed his hand against his abdomen, trying to hold back the pain.

“Mr. Belmont, are you alright? Maybe you should go home and rest," Ned said carefully.

Lewis leaned back in the leather chair, eyes squeezed shut as he struggled to breathe through the stabbing pain.

Normally, whenever this happened, Athena always had a way to soothe it in minutes.

But now, without her, everything was spiraling out of control.

Before, he never thought Athena mattered much.

But now—he had to admit—she was useful.

Lewis opened his eyes. Athena had blocked his number. None of his calls or texts went through. He turned to Ned.

"Give me your phone."

Ned handed it over immediately.

Lewis frowned in concentration as he typed:

"Athena, I was wrong. Come home now!"

He stared at it, then shook his head.

Too blunt. Too cold. She wouldn't buy it.

Women needed honey, not ice.

He erased it and rewrote:

"Athena, this was my fault. I never should've taken Nina to the hospital. I was wrong. Where are you? Let's talk."

Satisfied, he sent it.

When the message was delivered, a smug smile tugged at his lips.

Athena was easy. She always had been. As long as he lowered himself a little, she'd come running back.

He was sure of it.

...

Athena received the message.

She stared at the apology, her expression flat, unreadable—almost mocking.

Minutes ago, Nina had called begging her to come back.

Now Lewis sent this soft little text trying to coax her home.

Did he mean a word of it?

Not a chance.

He just wanted his free nanny back.

Wanted to keep fooling her, keep using her.

Athena deleted the message without hesitation.

Then blocked that number too.

The next morning, Kit arrived to help.

He slipped into the apartment, eyes drifting immediately toward the bedroom.

Athena caught him in the act. "What are you looking at?"

“Ms. Athena… you didn't… have a man stay over last night, did you?"

She gave him a look. "I already told you—it was a patient. Stop talking nonsense and start cleaning."

Last night, Athena had only managed to tidy up a tiny corner to sleep in.

She slept, technically—but not well.

All night long, her dreams were haunted by Lewis and Dion. And another image—bloody, blurry, terrifying. A little girl's face she couldn't quite see.

When she finally opened her eyes, sunlight spilled through the window, birdsong drifting in from outside.

That was when it hit her—

This was the first morning of an entirely new life.

Yes!

Step one: leave behind the place that had poisoned her.

Step two: start reclaiming her future.

Together, she and Kit spent hours cleaning the entire apartment from top to bottom.

"Finally done!" Kit collapsed onto the couch, exhausted. Then he suddenly frowned as if remembering something. “Ms. Athena, that Lewis guy is absolute trash."

Athena lifted her eyes lazily. "No argument there."

No decent man would ever do something so shameless—so cruel.

"I dug up quite a lot during the investigation," Kit continued. "I'll send it all to you."

He pulled out his phone and transferred the files.

From the documents, everything became horrifyingly clear.

The last eight years of Lewis and Nina's life—they had been deeply in love.

Lewis chased Athena and rushed her into marriage not because of love…

but because Nina was pregnant.

She remembered it now—Lewis's birthday. She drank something at the party, blacked out, and woke up next to him the next morning.

Weeks later, the doctor told her she was pregnant.

Lewis had offered to "take responsibility," arranging a quiet private proposal.

But now it was blatantly obvious—that "accident" wasn't an accident.

He had orchestrated everything.

Used her as a shield to hide Nina's pregnancy.

Only if the two babies were born around the same time could he switch them.

After the wedding, he was always busy. Always gone. Sometimes home only once a week.

She had been understanding. Strong. Never complained.

But these documents showed the truth—showed just how foolish she had been.

While she went alone to her prenatal checkups…

Lewis was tenderly holding Nina's hand at hers.

When she went into labor…

he left her delivery room mid-call—just to rush to Nina's.

He was there when Nina gave birth.

Meanwhile, Athena hemorrhaged, begging for someone to sign the consent forms.

And worst of all, the baby girl she delivered—

the daughter she never even got to hold—

was taken away.

Lewis had switched the children.

And killed her baby.

Eight entire years.

Her whole life had been a lie.

Athena had once believed Lewis felt something for her.

But the truth was brutal.

She had been nothing but a cover—

a placeholder in his grand love story with Nina.

A free babysitter.

Ding dong!

The doorbell ripped her from her thoughts.

"Who is it? I'll get it!" Kit said, rushing to the door.

He opened it—

And Athena saw Lewis standing outside.

The moment Lewis's eyes landed on Kit's presence inside her home, his entire face darkened.