"Alright, alright! What are you so anxious about, geez ... " Harriet said as she spoke again, "Honestly, that whole thing back then was just ridiculous. Maya dumped Zaden because she thought he wasn't good enough and ran off with another guy. She never came back. It really messed Zaden up." Athena narrowed her eyes. "She left just because he didn't have money?" Zaden came from a good family and was good-looking too. Even back then, before he had all his current success, he was still better than most guys. Did Maya really have the heart to walk away? Or was there some guy out there even better—richer, more attractive—someone worth giving everything up for? Or ... maybe it was like Preston said. Maybe Maya had no choice. Could it have been because of Teri? The thought made Athena's chest tighten. Harriet noticed her frowning and added, "Probably, yeah. That's what people said anyway. Zaden never wanted to talk about it. Well ... it's been years, and it's not like he's still hung up on her. You've seen how he treats you lately, right? He's clearly not looking back. Think about everything that's happened; he's been on your side every time, totally ignoring Maya. That should tell you everything you need to know." But Athena didn't feel reassured. That wasn't what she was worried about. She was thinking about Teri's mother. If Maya was Teri's mom, then that would make things incredibly awkward. Athena wouldn't even know how to face Teri anymore. She had hoped this meal with Harriet would give her some clues, something to help her deny her own suspicions. But instead, what she got only made her feel worse. While Harriet chatted away about recent events, Athena sat there, barely touching her food. She listened in silence, her mind somewhere else entirely. At one point, Zaden called. Athena declined the call and texted him to say she was out having lunch with Harriet, and that he didn't need to worry. Zaden replied, "Okay. Let me know when you're done." Clearly, he planned to come pick her up afterwards. Athena didn't reply. She just stared blankly at the screen, lost in thought. Harriet glanced at her and couldn't help thinking to herself. What's up with Athena? Anyone who didn't know better would think she just got dumped or something. Why was she suddenly so hung up on what happened all those years ago? That old drama had been buried long ago. Zaden wasn't even acknowledging Maya anymore. Maybe Athena just didn't feel secure. After dinner, Harriet and Athena went their separate ways. As she left, Harriet sent Zaden a message, telling him to take better care of Athena and stop burying himself in work all the time. She even added that Athena had come to her just to vent about how he hadn't been spending time with her lately. Zaden was still at home in his villa when the message came through. He stared at his phone, frozen for a second. Athena had been complaining about me not being around? He thought back carefully. The past couple of days, Athena had been busy with her patients at the hospital. They really had barely talked. And he hadn't checked in on her at all. Today, her patient had finally been discharged, so she should've had more free time. On top of that, he had just learned that the journal had pulled Athena's article about the surgery—something that must've hit her hard, and he hadn't even comforted her about it.The guilt hit him all at once. He quickly called her. The phone rang for a long time, but she didn't pick up. Zaden immediately realized that she really was upset, and his heart sank as regret crept in. He silently cursed himself for being so oblivious. But now that she was clearly in a mood, there wasn't much he could do except try to make it up to her. He called again. This time, Athena finally answered. Zaden lowered his voice. "Why didn't you pick up earlier?" "I was busy." "Did you finish dinner with Harriet? I'll come get you, okay?" he said gently. But Athena just replied coolly, "It's late. I'm staying at the hospital dorm tonight. I'm not coming home." Zaden glanced at his watch. It was only ten. Late? Not even close. That excuse was weak and clearly on purpose. She was mad at him. He sighed quietly, blaming himself again for being so dense. Just as he opened his mouth to apologize, Athena hung up on him. The cold, robotic tone of the disconnected call echoed in his ear. Zaden sat there, stunned. She was really, truly angry.