From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 372

**Her Rise 372**

**Chapter 372: Emergency Call**

Athena’s thoughts swirled in a tempest of emotions, each one vying for her attention as she grappled with the reality that Teri might be Zaden and Maya’s biological child. The anticipation that had once sparked mere curiosity had morphed into a gnawing anxiety, a heavy weight that pressed down on her chest ever since she had submitted the paternity test. Now, as the results loomed ominously on the horizon, she felt a complex mixture of dread and fragile hope.

What was it that truly troubled her more—the possibility that the results might not align with her desires, or the fear of unforeseen consequences that could ripple through her life? The uncertainty was almost unbearable, a constant hum in the back of her mind that refused to quiet.

As she wrestled with these conflicting emotions, a wry chuckle escaped her lips. “What a tangled web I’ve woven,” she mused, shaking her head at the absurdity of her situation. Yet, deep down, she understood one immutable truth: there was no turning back. Whatever the outcome, she would face it head-on, no matter how daunting the prospect.

Earlier that day had been a whirlwind in itself. Zaden had been summoned back to the Storm Estate for dinner by Drake, leaving Athena to navigate the evening alone. As she wrapped up her work at the hospital, the thought of returning to an empty home weighed heavily on her mind, a shadow that loomed larger with each passing minute.

Upon arriving at the hospital entrance, she prepared to call a cab, her heart sinking at the prospect of solitude. Just then, a sleek black car glided to a stop beside her, the window rolling down to reveal a familiar face framed by the car’s interior. Elijah’s half-smile, so characteristic and inviting, beckoned her closer.

“Where are you headed? Need a ride?” he asked casually, his voice smooth yet laced with an unspoken tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud.

Athena felt a rush of memories flood her mind, recalling their previous conversations and the weight of unaddressed questions that lingered between them. But the thought of Zaden’s grievances loomed large in her heart, a constant reminder of the conflict that separated them. She hesitated, acutely aware that Elijah stood on the opposite side of the divide, and the last thing she wanted was to provoke Zaden’s ire by engaging too closely with him.

“No thanks. I already called a cab,” she replied, her tone distant, as if she were erecting an invisible barrier between them.

Elijah’s expression shifted, disappointment flickering across his features. “You really don’t need to avoid me. We’ll be seeing each other often from now on,” he said, his voice tinged with a mix of sincerity and frustration that made her heart race.

Athena pressed her lips together, grappling with her response. Words eluded her, and silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Moments later, her cab arrived, and she slipped inside as if escaping from a brewing storm. As the car pulled away, she let out a sigh of relief, grateful to have evaded the awkward encounter.

Yet, Elijah’s words echoed in her mind like a haunting refrain. They would indeed cross paths again, and the thought sent a shiver down her spine. Did he harbor ulterior motives, or was it simply that she was Zaden’s woman? The uncertainty gnawed at her, a relentless itch she couldn’t scratch.

Once back at the villa, she pushed those troubling thoughts aside, focusing on the present moment.

Inside, the maid had returned with Teri, who was now happily engrossed in a TV show in the living room. The moment Teri spotted Athena, her face lit up like a beacon in the dark. “Mommy, you’re home!” she exclaimed, rushing toward Athena with an infectious smile that melted away the weight of the day.

In that instant, Athena felt her heart swell with warmth. All her worries seemed to dissipate, replaced by the pure, unadulterated joy that only a child could bring. A sudden realization struck her: no matter what the test revealed, Teri was her child, and that bond was unbreakable.

Teri’s curious gaze darted behind Athena, and she asked innocently, “Mommy, where’s Daddy? Why isn’t he back yet?”

Typically, by this hour, Zaden would have already returned home, but the clock ticked on, and his absence was palpable. Athena’s heart sank slightly at the thought of his delay.

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