She couldn't say anything, not even tell Zaden that she'd heard Preston's words or that Teri might be Maya's child. While Athena was racking her brain, trying to figure out how to deal with Zaden ... The balcony door opened, and Teri appeared behind them. She was in her pajamas, looking sleepy. She said to Athena, "Mommy, didn't you say you'd come back to me after using the bathroom? I fell asleep waiting. Why haven't you come?" Perfect timing, Athena thought. She said to Zaden, "I'm going to put Teri to bed. Don't overthink it." Then she took Teri's hand and smiled. "Yeah, I was chatting with your dad. Come on, let's go to bed. I'll stay with you." After Athena and Teri left, Zaden frowned. That weird feeling inside him came back. He didn't know why, but he felt like there was a hidden bomb between him and Athena, ready to explode at any moment. The peace was nothing more than an illusion. In the bedroom, Athena and Teri were lying on the small bed. The lights were off, and it was quiet. Teri, still awake, turned toward Athena and asked cautiously, "Mommy, our school's having a parent-kid carnival, and they need one parent to come as a representative. Can you go?" Athena froze for a second. The last time Teri started school, Athena had gone with Zaden, but after that, she never went again. The teachers always talked to Zaden about Teri's school matters. He was a good dad and highly involved in Teri's life. Usually, events like this would have been prepped and announced a long time ago.It should have been Zaden who attended. So Athena didn't expect Teri to want her to go. She pushed down her thoughts and asked softly, "Don't you want your dad to go?" Teri shook her head. "Daddy went to all these events before. My mom has never come. Sometimes the other kids ask me why my mom doesn't come, and I don't know what to say." She was talking about parent events in kindergarten, where Zaden was always the one to attend. Teri didn't have a mom then, didn't know who her mom was, so it was always her dad who went. But she wished her mom could go, too. Athena frowned. Last time she asked Teri if she had any feelings about Maya, Teri didn't seem to like her that much. If Teri knew Maya was her mom, would she still be this close to Athena? Would she turn to Maya instead? Athena hadn't planned on letting Teri rely on her anymore. Teri had just started school, and none of the other kids knew about her mom. If she went as Teri's mom, things would be super awkward at school if she and Zaden split and Maya came back to him. So, it was better not to go. But hearing Teri's pitiful plea, Athena's heart melted instantly. She couldn't even bring herself to say no. Her long silence made Teri look disappointed. Teri asked anxiously, "Mom, is it impossible? Or you just don't want to go? "Actually, it's fine if you don't want to. I'll just have Daddy go!" Athena immediately said, "That's not it!"I'll go!" She pulled Teri into a hug and said to her, "I'll go to the school event tomorrow as your mom, okay?" Teri nodded softly. "Mom, you're the best." Hearing that, a strange feeling bubbled up in Athena's chest. Ugh! I wish Teri were my daughter. "Mom, I thought you hated me. You've been acting weird, like you don't want me. I promise I'll be good. Please don't leave me, okay?" Teri begged again. Athena whispered, "I won't leave." But sometimes adult issues are too complicated to explain. I just have to go with the flow and talk about it after everything is settled. Hearing Athena's answer, Teri relaxed, closed her eyes, and fell asleep fast. Athena listened to her calm breathing, feeling a mix of emotions. She ran her fingers through Teri's hair, then carefully pulled out a strand—something she could use for a DNA test. She sealed it in a bag from her pocket and put it back.