From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 287

Chapter 287: A Quiet Truce

“I’m sorry. I really messed up this time. It won’t happen again—I swear. Please forgive me. Don’t leave me,” Zaden’s voice was earnest, stripped of any pretense.

Hearing those words, Athena’s heart was a whirlwind of emotions. There was something raw and genuine in his confession that stirred a softness within her. Despite the cold front she had tried to maintain, she found herself unable to hold onto her anger any longer.

She exhaled deeply, the tension in her chest easing just a bit. “Honestly,” she began, her tone gentle but honest, “you’re not entirely to blame. We were already married, but our feelings hadn’t really deepened yet. And what happened with Maya… that’s all in the past. Maybe I was being a little petty, holding onto it for so long.”

Zaden caught the subtle shift in her voice—the anger that had once simmered beneath her words was gone. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. This trip abroad, with all its ups and downs, had done something unexpected: it had thawed the ice between them.

He met her gaze, voice softening as he asked, “So… does that mean you forgive me?”

Athena grunted, a small, reluctant sound. “I’m not angry anymore. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to forgive you completely. If I do, you might think you can get away with it next time.”

Zaden’s smile turned a little helpless. “Okay, then give me a timeline. What if you never forgive me? Then I’d never get to be near you again.”

He felt the weight of that thought deeply. After everything, he realized just how much he needed her—whether that meant her coming back home or him moving in with her. But he knew Athena wouldn’t easily agree to such a change.

After a brief pause, Athena considered his words and finally said, “Let’s wait until this project is finished. If you behave and nothing else goes wrong by then, I’ll forgive you completely.”

Zaden’s eyes lit up with hope. “So… does that mean you’ll move back home?”

A frown creased Athena’s forehead. She had only just moved out two days ago. Was he really expecting her to come back so soon?

Seeing the confusion on her face, Zaden’s words caught in his throat. He wasn’t sure how to explain what he was feeling.

“Fine,” Athena said finally, her voice soft but firm.

The tension in Zaden’s face melted away. When he looked at her again, his gaze was filled with a tender affection that spoke louder than words.

—

Athena had set the deadline. Now all Zaden had to do was wait.

They lingered in conversation for a little while longer before Athena glanced at the clock and murmured, “It’s getting late. I should get some sleep. I have to visit a professor tomorrow.”

Gathering her clothes, she slipped into the bathroom.

Minutes later, she emerged, her hair still damp from the shower, cheeks flushed from the warm steam. Her fair skin glowed with a soft blush, reminiscent of a ripe apple, while a few stray curls framed her face playfully.

Zaden’s eyes were fixed on her, darkening for a brief moment with desire. He wanted nothing more than to pull her close, but he held back, worried that she might push him away again. So, he swallowed the urge and forced himself to stay still.

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