From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 298

For a brief moment, Athena hesitated, then a gentle smile spread across her face. “Teri, it’s been quite some time. How have you been?” she asked softly.

“I’m doing well, Mom. You don’t need to worry about me,” Teri replied with a sweet, reassuring tone.

Hearing those words finally allowed Athena to relax a little.

Over the years, her heart had gradually drawn closer to Teri. Perhaps, after her painful separation from Dion, all the love she once reserved for her daughter had naturally shifted toward this little girl. Maybe Teri had quietly filled the void left by her missing child.

Teri’s eyes scanned the room with a spark of curiosity. “Mom, where’s Dad? I want to talk to him,” she asked eagerly.

The question caught Athena off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. Some things were just too complicated to explain to a child—matters far beyond her years or understanding.

Without offering any explanation, Athena simply said, “Hold on, sweetheart. I’ll go get your dad.”

With that, she stepped out of the room, phone still in hand, and pressed the doorbell next door. After two rings, the door swung open.

There stood Zaden, freshly out of the shower. His damp hair clung loosely to his forehead, water droplets still tracing down the strands. The robe draped casually over his frame, the belt tied with little care.

Athena couldn’t tell if he was wearing anything underneath.

The open collar revealed a glimpse of his chest—broad, firm, and radiating warmth. The sight carried a subtle, masculine allure that was both distracting and dangerously magnetic.

Her eyes swept over him, taking in the quiet strength he exuded.

Since her phone call was still active, she said nothing but handed the device to him.

Her plan was to give him the phone and quietly retreat to her room to rest, perhaps returning later to retrieve it.

But before she could even turn away, an arm wrapped tightly around her waist. Zaden pulled her back inside and closed the door behind them.

Athena froze in place.

He raised the phone, angling the camera toward himself. She stood close beside him, just out of view.

Realizing she wasn’t visible on the screen, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

She shot him a sharp, annoyed look, her eyes silently warning him to behave. Yet, the smirk playing at the corner of his lips only grew wider.

“Dad!” Teri’s sweet, innocent voice chimed through the phone. “Hi, Daddy!”

Zaden’s tone softened immediately. “Hey, sweetheart. I’m here.”

Athena noticed he still hadn’t released her.

Frowning, she tried to gently push him away, but he held firm.

He shifted the phone slightly, leaned in close, and whispered, “Do you really want Teri to know we’re arguing? She’d just worry about you.”

At those words, Athena froze completely.

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