"I understand. Dr. Hall, you'd better hurry. Don't keep Mr. Storm waiting!" Hearing Jaylee's words, a strange look flickered in Athena's eyes. Whose side is she even on? Why did it feel like Jaylee had already been won over by Zaden? Athena didn't say anything more. She stood up and walked toward Zaden. "Let's go." Zaden nodded, and the two of them left the office together. He had driven himself today, and his car was parked in the underground garage. Athena got in with him, and soon after, the car started and rolled out of the hospital. The atmosphere in the car was calm, accompanied by soothing music playing softly through the speakers. Out of nowhere, Athena recalled how, when she'd been trying to please Zaden earlier, she had run into Maya on her way out of the stairwell. She asked tentatively, "I just saw Maya. I think she was visiting Mrs. Ariana. Did you see her too?" Zaden frowned slightly. By now, Maya had almost become a sensitive subject between them. After all, they had quarreled countless times over her, and every argument ended in a cold war that lasted for days. This time, even though it had nothing to do with Maya, Zaden felt their relationship had only just started to mend. If another fight broke out because of her, that would be disastrous. Still, he couldn't bring himself to lie. If Athena ever found out the truth later, she would only be more furious. After weighing it over, Zaden decided to tell the truth. The car came to a stop at a red light. Turning to Athena, he said with a serious tone, "Yes, I did see Maya. She told me Mrs. Ariana was sick and invited me to visit her together." He paused, then added, "But I refused. I've already been to visit Mrs. Ariana, and there's no need to go again, especially not with her. If I do go, it'll either be alone or with you." Athena hadn't thought much of it at first, but hearing Zaden's earnest explanation stirred something in her heart. She smiled and teased, "You look kind of nervous. Don't tell me seeing Maya scares you that much?" "I'm afraid of you getting angry," Zaden said with a helpless sigh. "I didn't say more than a few words to her, and there's nothing left between us from before." Athena fell silent. After hearing what Preston had told Zaden that day, she went through a whirlwind of emotions—from shock to anger, then helplessness and confusion. In the end, she decided to secretly run a paternity test between Teri and Maya. But now, seeing how cautious and careful Zaden was, afraid of upsetting her, she couldn't help wondering if maybe none of it really mattered. Wasn't his attitude toward her the thing that mattered most? With that thought, Athena sighed softly in her heart. Still, she decided to go through with the test. It was to satisfy her curiosity and get an answer for herself. "I understand," Athena said sincerely. "I believe you. You don't have to worry about me getting upset. You make it sound like I'm some petty, jealous woman." Zaden smirked. "You're not petty at all. You're incredibly generous." Except when you actually throw a tantrum—it's enough to make anyone lose their mind. Athena could tell he was being sarcastic. She couldn't help but reach out and give him a sharp pinch, huffing coldly, "Shut up!"Zaden didn't get angry. Instead, he chuckled and leaned over to press a peck to her cheek. Athena's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected him to do that. Then the car behind them honked loudly, snapping her back to reality. At some point, the light had already turned green. Her face flushed as she stammered, "H-hurry up and drive!" When Teri came home from school and saw Athena, she immediately ran toward her. "Mom, I missed you so much!" Athena stiffened and instinctively took a step back. That small, involuntary movement made Teri freeze in place. Her eyes were filled with hurt and uncertainty as she looked up at Athena. She wasn't sure if Athena hated her. The thought made her eyes red. With fear in her eyes and tears glistening, the pitiful look she gave Athena was heartbreaking. Athena's heart clenched with guilt. She hadn't meant to react that way. It was purely instinctive. The events with Maya over the past few days had clearly affected her, and perhaps, deep down, she had unconsciously started associating Teri with Maya. "Mom ... do you hate me?" Teri asked softly, her voice pitiful and trembling.