From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 110

Chapter 110 Leave Her in Your Care

Lewis listened to Bridget in silence for a long while.

It’s true that I cheated on Athena. But that was only because Nina bewitched me. She tricked me!

None of this is my fault.

The one I truly love has always been Athena!

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Bridget knew her son inside and out. Of course, he was regretting things now that Athena was

gone.

Men were all the same–when they had something, they never cherished it. Only when they realized they had lost it did they start yearning for what they’d thrown away.

They put on a performance of devotion, and if they faked it long enough, they even fooled themselves into believing it.

But there was no changing things now.

Bridget spoke firmly, weighing down every word, “Lewis, you’ve helped the Belmonts smooth over the scandal by marrying Nina. Jerome is pleased with you. We’re already this close to the finish line–are you really going to throw it all away?”

Lewis’s fist clenched at his side.

He shut his eyes, drawing in a slow, deep breath until a chill steadiness settled over him.

She’s right.

We’ve come too far to back out now. Once I secure control of the Belmonts, then I can go back and win Athena over.

If I lower my pride enough, she will definitely come back to me.

Seeing him calm down, Bridget finally nodded, satisfied. “You don’t need to worry about this any further. I’ll handle it.”

“Okay,” he forced a reply.

Then he turned and walked out, his figure heavy with loneliness.

Athena was discharged from the hospital.

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Chapter 110 Leave Her in Your Care

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After leaving Zaden’s place, she didn’t go back to her old home. Afraid Lewis might show and force a confrontation, she rented a different apartment instead.

Yet even then, she hadn’t completely managed to avoid him.

She felt helpless.

up

She opened the door to her new place–a modest two–bedroom. Small, but clean, complete, and more than enough for just her.

She intended to stay here quietly while she recovered.

I still have to go back to the hospital to change my dressings, and I can visit Teri when I’m there. I need to think carefully about how to bring the girl back to being her old self.

Just thinking about it made her temples ache.

She couldn’t cook since her hand was still injured, so she ordered takeout. After placing the order, she sat down on the couch, waiting.

Before long, the doorbell rang.

She had left a note asking the delivery to be left at the door, so she hadn’t expected anyone to buzz.

She got up to open it–and froze.

It wasn’t the delivery guy. It was Zaden and Teri!

“What are you doing here?”

Isn’t Teri still supposed to be in the hospital? And how did they even know where I lived? Did Harriet tell them?

Zaden opened his mouth as if to explain, then stopped.

Athena understood at once–he must have come for Teri’s sake. She quickly pulled the door wider to let them in.

Just then, her food arrived.

The delivery man handed over the bag, glancing at her. “Ms. Hall, your order.”

Before Athena could take it, a larger hand reached past her and accepted it first.

Then Zaden’s palm settled lightly on her shoulder, guiding her back inside with a steady arm.

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The door clicked shut. Only then did Athena jolt, realizing what had just happened and how unexpectedly close he had been.

Her

eyes

widened at him.

D–did he just…

But Zaden immediately released her, stepping back with composure. His voice was steady. “You need to be more careful when you’re living here alone. Women on their own are easy targets. Even when you order delivery, don’t let strangers come all the way to your door.”

Athena ducked her head, nodding meekly. “Oh, I was just too lazy to go get it. I didn’t think about it. I’ll be more careful next time.”

So that little gesture was to make a point.

Still, she couldn’t ignore how attentive it had been. A faint warmth stirred in her chest.

She motioned for Zaden to sit on the couch, then led Teri into one of the rooms and handed her a book.

“Read here for a while,” Athena said softly to Teri. “I need to talk to your dad, alright?”

The girl nodded.

Athena smoothed her hair affectionately, then stepped out.

In the living room, she and Zaden sat across from each other on the couch.

“Mr. Storm, did you bring Teri here for her condition?”

“Yes.” Zaden’s tone was low. “She needs a safe, steady place. And she trusts you. Could she stay here with you?”

“Of course.”

Zaden let out a quiet breath, almost a sigh of relief. “Then I’ll leave her in your care. If there’s anything you need, let me know.”

Athena shook her head. “Nothing for now.”

She had already resolved to help Teri. Now that Zaden had entrusted the girl to her, she could try out all sorts of ways to bring her back, without worrying about anything else.