Athena lay back against the pillow, finally ready to rest. But out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Zaden wasn't making any move to leave. Her brows drew together. "Um ... aren't you heading out?" "No. I'll stay with you." Wait, why does that sound so suggestive? Maybe he sensed her unease, because Zaden added, "You ended up like this because of Teri. Staying is the least I can do." "I can handle myself." Zaden smirked. "Worried you'll snore or drool in your sleep? Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." Who says I drool in my sleep?! Athena shot him a glare, but he didn't budge. He sat there calmly in his chair, taking her silence as permission to remain. She had been on the edge of sleep, but now her drowsiness was gone. With him sitting so close, watching her, there was no way to relax. Wide awake, she fixed her gaze on the ceiling. The cut along her waist gave a dull, persistent throb. Damn, that hurts. Zaden noticed her shift with discomfort and got up, moving to her side. "Does it hurt? Should I check your wound?" Check my wound? Athena blurted, flustered, "N-no need!" Her injury was at her waist, low enough that letting him check would mean pulling down her pants. Absolutely not. That would be mortifying. Even imagining it made her cheeks burn. Zaden's worry faded as he caught her expression—the stiff refusal, the way her whole body tensed, and her face pink with embarrassment. His eyes lowered slightly, as though he had figured out why. He was about to speak when the door swung open. A tall man in an impeccably tailored suit strode in, his steps brisk. "Athena!" Her temple twitched hard, like a shadow had fallen across her. Lewis. Why is he here? "I heard you were hurt. How are you?" Lewis's face was tight with worry, his gaze locked on her, full of anxious concern. Athena cleared her throat, answering with cool detachment. "I'm fine. Thank you for asking. You can go now." "Athena, we're divorced. The past is past. Do we really have to talk like strangers? We were married eight years—don't tell me you have no feelings left at all." Athena almost laughed at that. Whatever feelings she might have had vanished the day she discovered what Lewis had done. But she knew him. He was stubborn to the core. No matter what she said, he would twist it into his own truth. And right now, weak as she was, it wasn't worth wasting energy on an argument. So she pressed her lips together and kept silent. She even let her eyes drift shut, refusing to look at him. Seeing her like this, Zaden cut in coldly, "Athena's injured. Don't mess with her recovery."Lewis's expression darkened in an instant. He swung on Zaden, eyes burning with rage. "Zaden, stop pretending to be noble. Athena's in this condition because of you, isn't she?" Zaden didn't bother to deny it. The truth was, her injury was tied to him. Lewis let out a sharp, mocking laugh, his tone dripping with venom. "Don't think I'll just let this slide." Zaden chuckled under his breath, his eyes sweeping over Lewis with icy indifference. "You're her ex-husband. What right do you have to challenge me?" Lewis froze. The word "ex-husband" cut like a blade. With the divorce, he had no claim or authority, nothing to hold over Zaden. But he recovered quickly. Grinding his teeth, he snapped, "So what if we're divorced? You know divorced couples can remarry, right? Even as her ex, I still have the right to hold you accountable!" Athena had wanted to stay out of it, but his words kept stabbing at her like needles, hammering against her skull until her head ached. "Enough!" Her eyes flew open. She fixed Lewis with a hard stare. "Lewis, we're divorced. Accept it. If you respect me at all, then don't appear in front of me again. "I don't need you fighting my battles. And besides ... " Her lips curved into a sharp, mocking smile. "I almost forgot to congratulate you. I wish you, Nina, and Dion all the happiness in the world, now that the three of you are officially a family." The blood drained from Lewis's face.He lurched forward to her bedside, words stumbling out half-formed. Athena knows? She knows Nina and I have gotten married? Who told her?