Since everything had blown up, this was the first time Athena had felt genuine kindness from a stranger. Her eyes stung—she almost lost control right there. But she swallowed the emotion back down. "I'm fine," she said with a steady face and a small, polite smile. "Just a family issue, Mr. Storm. Please don't mind it." She glanced toward the doorway. Teri had already climbed out of bed. The little girl stood there silently, watching her with big, curious eyes—eyes that looked exactly like Zaden's. "Teri is better now. As long as you watch her diet, she won't have another flare-up anytime soon. It's getting late. Mr. Storm, take Teri home." The message was clear—she was sending them off. Zaden understood she wasn't in the mood to entertain anyone. He didn't push. Rising to his feet, he said gently, "Thank you for tonight, Ms. Hall. I'll repay you another day."Once Zaden and Teri left, the house fell into a deep, hollow quiet. Athena's expression sank. Her whole aura dimmed. The warm yellow glow from the living room lamps wrapped around her thin figure, stretching her shadow long across the floor—lonely, fragile, almost breakable. As much as she told herself she needed to let go, the truth was cruel and simple—she genuinely loved the boy. She had raised Dion for eight long years. Pretending there was no bond at all would be a blatant lie. But every time she remembered that Dion was truly Nina's child—while her own daughter's tiny body had been reduced to nothing—her heart felt like it was being carved open again and again. At least the people who didn't belong to her would be out of her life soon. In just one month, they'd be gone for good. ... “Mr. Belmont, we still haven't been able to locate Mrs. Belmont." Ned stood stiffly in front of Lewis's desk, reporting the latest update. Back at the hospital, Nina had called several times, sobbing hysterically that Dion was acting up and she couldn't calm him down. Athena had hung up on her. Completely ignoring Dion. Ned had even suggested going to find Athena himself, but Lewis said nothing—he didn't approve, didn't deny. But in the end, Athena had left the hospital. And now no one knew where she went. "This is your idea of competence?" Lewis growled, fingers tightening around his pen as he shot Ned a freezing glare. "I'm sorry, Mr. Belmont. I'll continue searching." Lewis took a slow breath. Yelling wouldn't solve anything. But the frustration and stress churned in his stomach, and the familiar, sharp ache returned. His face drained of color as he pressed his hand against his abdomen, trying to hold back the pain.“Mr. Belmont, are you alright? Maybe you should go home and rest," Ned said carefully. Lewis leaned back in the leather chair, eyes squeezed shut as he struggled to breathe through the stabbing pain. Normally, whenever this happened, Athena always had a way to soothe it in minutes. But now, without her, everything was spiraling out of control. Before, he never thought Athena mattered much. But now—he had to admit—she was useful. Lewis opened his eyes. Athena had blocked his number. None of his calls or texts went through. He turned to Ned. "Give me your phone." Ned handed it over immediately. Lewis frowned in concentration as he typed: "Athena, I was wrong. Come home now!" He stared at it, then shook his head. Too blunt. Too cold. She wouldn't buy it.Women needed honey, not ice. He erased it and rewrote: "Athena, this was my fault. I never should've taken Nina to the hospital. I was wrong. Where are you? Let's talk." Satisfied, he sent it. When the message was delivered, a smug smile tugged at his lips. Athena was easy. She always had been. As long as he lowered himself a little, she'd come running back. He was sure of it. ... Athena received the message. She stared at the apology, her expression flat, unreadable—almost mocking. Minutes ago, Nina had called begging her to come back. Now Lewis sent this soft little text trying to coax her home.Did he mean a word of it? Not a chance. He just wanted his free nanny back. Wanted to keep fooling her, keep using her. Athena deleted the message without hesitation. Then blocked that number too. The next morning, Kit arrived to help. He slipped into the apartment, eyes drifting immediately toward the bedroom. Athena caught him in the act. "What are you looking at?" “Ms. Athena… you didn't… have a man stay over last night, did you?" She gave him a look. "I already told you—it was a patient. Stop talking nonsense and start cleaning." Last night, Athena had only managed to tidy up a tiny corner to sleep in. She slept, technically—but not well. All night long, her dreams were haunted by Lewis and Dion. And another image—bloody, blurry, terrifying. A little girl's face she couldn't quite see. When she finally opened her eyes, sunlight spilled through the window, birdsong drifting in from outside. That was when it hit her— This was the first morning of an entirely new life. Yes! Step one: leave behind the place that had poisoned her. Step two: start reclaiming her future. Together, she and Kit spent hours cleaning the entire apartment from top to bottom. "Finally done!" Kit collapsed onto the couch, exhausted. Then he suddenly frowned as if remembering something. “Ms. Athena, that Lewis guy is absolute trash." Athena lifted her eyes lazily. "No argument there." No decent man would ever do something so shameless—so cruel. "I dug up quite a lot during the investigation," Kit continued. "I'll send it all to you."He pulled out his phone and transferred the files. From the documents, everything became horrifyingly clear. The last eight years of Lewis and Nina's life—they had been deeply in love. Lewis chased Athena and rushed her into marriage not because of love… but because Nina was pregnant. She remembered it now—Lewis's birthday. She drank something at the party, blacked out, and woke up next to him the next morning. Weeks later, the doctor told her she was pregnant. Lewis had offered to "take responsibility," arranging a quiet private proposal. But now it was blatantly obvious—that "accident" wasn't an accident. He had orchestrated everything. Used her as a shield to hide Nina's pregnancy. Only if the two babies were born around the same time could he switch them.After the wedding, he was always busy. Always gone. Sometimes home only once a week. She had been understanding. Strong. Never complained. But these documents showed the truth—showed just how foolish she had been. While she went alone to her prenatal checkups… Lewis was tenderly holding Nina's hand at hers. When she went into labor… he left her delivery room mid-call—just to rush to Nina's. He was there when Nina gave birth. Meanwhile, Athena hemorrhaged, begging for someone to sign the consent forms. And worst of all, the baby girl she delivered— the daughter she never even got to hold— was taken away. Lewis had switched the children. And killed her baby.Eight entire years. Her whole life had been a lie. Athena had once believed Lewis felt something for her. But the truth was brutal. She had been nothing but a cover— a placeholder in his grand love story with Nina. A free babysitter. Ding dong! The doorbell ripped her from her thoughts. "Who is it? I'll get it!" Kit said, rushing to the door. He opened it— And Athena saw Lewis standing outside. The moment Lewis's eyes landed on Kit's presence inside her home, his entire face darkened.