From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 261

r 261 The Silent Distance

But what happened next was beyond what Athena had ever imagined.

For a moment, she even wondered if she’d made a mistake taking this step.

While she sat lost in thought, her phone rang. Harriet’s name flashing on the screen saved her from the emotional whirlwind.

Athena answered, “Hey, Harriet.”

“Oh my gosh!” Harriet’s voice came through, half shouting. “I just found out Maya is Kit’s sister! What kind of twisted fate is that? Athena, you’d better stay away from Kit. Who knows? He might end up helping Maya come after you!”

Athena stayed calm. “I already know,” she said quietly.

She had only found out slightly earlier than Harriet did, but it was true. Kit and Maya were siblings. What Harriet didn’t know was that Athena had a strange tie to the Rices.

Not that she intended to talk about it; she had no reason to.

She’d decided long ago she’d never have anything to do with that family.

Still, Harriet wasn’t wrong. Athena really should avoid Kit from now on. Before, she’d turned to him for help because Patricia didn’t know.

But Patricia had personally warned her, and Maya was back. There was no reason to give them another chance to twist things against her.

Harriet paused, sounding surprised. “Wow, okay! I thought you didn’t know. I was just about to warn you myself. But hey, don’t worry. Zaden’s yours now. No matter how hard Maya tries, she can’t steal him from you.”

Athena sighed quietly.

If only that were true. Who said Maya couldn’t win? She herself didn’t seem to have any advantage at all.

She whispered, almost to herself, “Maybe I’m not a match for Maya.”

When Harriet heard Athena’s defeated tone, she almost wanted to appear in front of her and shake her by the shoulders. “Athena, what happened to you?” Harriet snapped. “Since when did you become so timid? The Athena I know wouldn’t back down from anyone! Are you seriously scared of a woman like Maya?”

Athena sighed helplessly. “It’s not that I’m scared,” she said softly. “If I wanted to, I could fight back easily.

“I’m legally married to Zaden. No matter what Maya does, it won’t change that. Even if she’s his ex, if I go public with our marriage, Maya will be the one who looks bad. Everyone will see her as the woman trying to destroy a married couple.”

Harriet clapped her hands in approval.

1/3

“Exactly! That’s the Athena I know! You should put her in her place. Maya came back acting like she owns the world–news, interviews, rumors–she’s everywhere. I even heard she’s planning to join Storm Hospital! And doesn’t her family already have their hospital? Who do you think she’s doing this for? It’s so

obvious!”

Athena gave a small, self–mocking laugh. “It’s true, I could shut her down easily,” she admitted. “But that all depends on Zaden. If he still has feelings for Maya, then no matter what I do, I’ll just end up looking like a

fool.”

“I’ll handle it,” she said softly. “You don’t have to worry.”

Harriet thought Athena was really going to do as she said. All her worries vanished in an instant. “Now that’s more like it!” she said with a grin. “I’ll be waiting for that good show!”

After hanging up, Athena let out another long sigh.

Knock, knock. A steady rhythm came from the door.

Athena looked up toward it but didn’t say a word.

“Athena, are you still awake?” Zaden’s voice came softly from outside the door. Athena pressed her lips. together, silent.

She hesitated for a moment but didn’t respond.

Athena wasn’t ready to talk, not yet. Her thoughts were a mess. She didn’t want to face Zaden or bring up anything about that photo. Maybe staying quiet was the best choice for now.

After a while, the hallway went silent. It seemed Zaden had left.

Athena finally exhaled, feeling a small wave of relief.

She knew she couldn’t keep letting her emotions control her. Maybe it was time to focus on herself–to stay busy, to stop thinking about everything that hurt. When her mind was full, maybe her heart would finally calm down.

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