It only took her a moment to process everything, and then it all made sense. Kate said, "Anyway, you need to be extra careful around him. Zaden's a good man. You two will be happy together." She looked at Athena, feeling a strong urge to share a secret with her, but then held back. Athena and Zaden's relationship still seemed shaky. Maybe now wasn't the right time. Teri was Athena's child! Neither Athena nor Zaden knew, and Kate was the only one who knew the truth. A wave of emotion flashed across her face. "Professor, I'm heading back to my office." With everything settled, Athena didn't want to waste any more time. Kate snapped out of her thoughts and nodded to Athena. "Okay, you go ahead." After leaving Kate's office, Athena headed for her own, only to have her phone ring in the hallway. She checked the caller ID. It was a landline, not a regular phone number. Athena hesitated, then picked up. "Hello ... ?" There was only static on the other end. Athena frowned, feeling annoyed. Was someone just messing with her? Then she remembered—the number looked familiar, almost like it belonged to some institution. Maybe it was just leftover nerves after everything Maya pulled, but Athena felt a wave of unease. Just as she was about to hang up, a raspy voice came through. "Athena."The moment she heard that voice, Athena froze in place. Her eyes widened in shock, her heart clenching tight. Lewis! The name made her chest tighten, cutting into wounds she'd thought had healed. She gripped her phone so tightly her knuckles went white. Athena knew Lewis had been arrested for what he did with Nina, and had served two years. She'd put all of it behind her. She had worked hard to move on, filling her life with new things until the past barely mattered anymore. She was finally back on track with her life and work. And then this call from Lewis dragged her straight back into the past. Her face turned cold. "How did you manage to call me? Aren't you in jail?" As far as Athena was concerned, she and Lewis were done. There was nothing left between them. Lewis's voice was tired and hoarse as he replied, "I just got a rare chance to call a family member." Athena cursed at him in her head, Get lost! I am not your family! But she didn't want to start a fight, so she kept her tone icy. "What do you want? If you need anything, call the Belmonts. I'm busy and don't have time to deal with you." With that, she moved to hang up. Lewis quickly said, "Athena, wait!" Athena nearly hung up but stopped herself at the last second. She said coolly, "What else do you want, Lewis? We're divorced. If you want to be a decent ex-husband, you should stop bothering me and let me live my life." Hearing her talk about a "new life," Lewis let out a low, rough laugh.He rasped, "Do you mean your new life with Zaden?" "Athena, do you really think Zaden will want to watch boring medical shows with you after dinner? Or choke down that nasty herbal tea you make?" Hearing this, Athena's expression turned icy. She had thought Lewis regretted everything he'd done to her. But hearing him now, she realized he never changed. He still thought her hobbies were boring. He still hated the herbal tea she made for his stomach problems. There was nothing left to say. Athena gave a small, self-mocking smile. Maybe it was just because she'd already moved on with someone new, but the old feelings didn't sting anymore. She found it easy to let go. But Lewis kept on talking, as if he couldn't stop thinking about the past. "There was a time when I thought you were boring, always watching shows no other woman cared about. You were always busy with Dion and barely noticed me. That herbal tea was bitter, but after I drank it, my stomach problems never came back ... " He started out mocking, but then got lost in nostalgia. Athena's frown deepened. Of course, she remembered all of it—it was part of her life, after all. But Lewis's betrayal had ruined those memories.