From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44 Each With Their Own Scheme

Finished

Lewis’s face darkened, and his brows drew together. His voice rose sharply. “I told you to go find your

mom!”

“I’m not going.” Dion said firmly.

Lewis was already in a bad mood. Dion’s refusal made his anger boil over. He glared at the boy, his voice cutting through the air. “Are you going or not?”

“I’m not going! I’m not going! I don’t want to!” Dion cried, his voice trembling.

He was terrified of Lewis. His father’s dark expression made him want to cry, but he held his ground. Dion had dignity. He didn’t want to look weak or cry in front of his mom, so he refused to give in.

Lewis raised his hand, ready to strike.

Just before it came down, Nina rushed forward and grabbed his arm. “Lewis, stop it! He’s just a kid! You can’t hit him!”

Lewis took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.

“He’s been completely out of control since he came back to you,” he said coldly.

Lewis felt like the days when he was a loving father and Dion was an obedient son were nothing more than a dream. When Athena was around, even if Dion threw a tantrum, he’d calm down and listen soon after.

But now, the boy kept defying him again and again.

Nina’s eyes began to glisten with tears as she listened. She had overheard everything outside the door.

Lewis clearly wanted Dion to bring Athena back..

Was he still not over that woman?

When did Athena start taking up space in his heart?

Panic spread through Nina like wildfire.

Lewis, how can you say that? Are you blaming me for not raising him right? Dion is my son! Of course, 1 want the best for him. I would never yell at him or hit him!”

Lewis pressed his aching temples, not wanting to hear another word.

Lately, his whole life felt tangled and chaotic.

Nina and Dion were both crying now–their voices, one high and one low, pierced the air like sharp needles. The sound filled the room, suffocating him, making him want to run from it all.

Lewis suddenly turned and stormed out.

“Lewis! Where are you going?” Nina called after him, her voice echoing through the hallway.

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5:20 pm P DDD.

Chapter 44 Each With Their Own Scheme

Finished

As the door slammed shut, Dion burst into louder sobs. Tears rolled down his small face as he whimpered, “Did Dad not want me anymore?”

Nina’s expression darkened. She was just as frustrated as she was furious.

She crouched down to Dion’s level and asked coldly, “Do you want Athena to come back and be your mom again?”

Dion stopped crying at once. He looked up at Nina, hesitated a little, then nodded hard.

He wanted that more than anything.

Nina’s lips curled into a chilling smile. “Then you have to listen to me,” she said sweetly, half coaxing and half deceiving. “Do whatever I tell you, and Athena will come back.”

Dion wiped his tears and nodded seriously. “I’ll listen to you, Nina.”

Inside the car, Lewis lit a cigarette.

The smoke swirled around his sharp features, blurring his expression into a cold, shadowed look. He stared blankly ahead for a moment, then called Bridget.

The call rang once before she picked up.

“Why are you calling me this late?” she asked, her tone sharp and suspicious.

Bridget knew her son well. Lewis never called without a reason. Ever since she had opposed his relationship with Nina, their bond had grown distant.

He rarely came home, choosing instead to live elsewhere.

But with the family’s future at stake, Bridget couldn’t afford to let things spiral out of control.

“I messed things up with Athena,” Lewis admitted flatly. “I can’t bring her back this time.”

He had already failed to use Dion to fix things, so now he decided to just tell the truth. After letting it all out, he felt slightly lighter, though his frustration still lingered.

He rested his hand on the steering wheel and leaned back against the seat, exhaling slowly.

His mood was terrible.

The other end of the line went silent for a few seconds before Bridget sighed. “I’ll handle it,” she said calmly. “Don’t worry. Just do as I say when the time comes.”

Lewis frowned. He knew Bridget didn’t like Athena–never had.

Back then, when things got ugly, his mother had even tried to use the same tricks she once used against Nina, though she’d failed.

It shocked him that she was now willing to help.

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5:21 pm

Chapter 44 Each With Their Own Scheme

Still, the thought comforted him. His frustration began to fade.

༠:|

Finished

Athena had been pushing him away for weeks, even filing for divorce. At first, he thought she was bluffing -just trying to make him surrender first. But when he realized she was dead serious, a wave of panic hit him.

Now that his mother was getting involved, he was certain Athena would come back to him.

Meanwhile, Athena, Harriet, Zaden, and little Teri were enjoying a peaceful dinner together.

After the meal, Harriet cheerfully volunteered to wash the dishes. She even pulled Teri along, pretending it was a good lesson in helping with chores.