Chapter 80 ~ Earned it!

ATHENA

Looks of pity.

I detest them—and I'd rather not receive any.

They feel like quiet judgments wrapped in sympathy. Like everyone's saying, "poor Athena", without ever opening their mouths.

Noah and Sloane have been so quiet, I didn't even realize they were still in the

room.

It's only when I feel the warm weight of a jacket settle over my shoulders that I notice Noah beside me.

He doesn't say much. He never does when I'm hurting. But the way his eyes soften, the way he avoids looking at Alex's direction, says everything.

He's angry and is having a hard time keeping that in check.

"Let me drive you home," he murmurs.

"I'll come with you," Sloane says, stepping forward. But Noah shakes his head.

"Stick around. Keep me updated."

A flicker of protest dances across her face, but then I give her a small, tired smile. "I'll call you."

She nods, and I can tell she wants to say something more but doesn't.

I step over to Ariana and pull her into a brief hug, then turn to Giana.

She looks... spent. Like every last ounce of strength has been drained from her bones. She sits on the couch, her expression so far away, her eyes glistening.

A pang of guilt stabs me in the chest.

Alex has always been careful to shield her from stress. To keep his demons behind a well-mannered front when she was near.

tonight, he

she saw him for who

I did that.

was the match that

says softly, guiding me to the door

silence wraps around me like a second skin. But my thoughts

Eli do

I stirred up in this

of

I shouldn't have come. Maybe I should've let the

remember what caused me

I know I had

six

"Congratulations, Dawson! You've

Dr. Lin says, her voice filled with pride as she

letter confirming my promotion.

"PGY-2. You've earned it."

conference room, but it's a

already been on the

first time in over a year that

give her a smile and nod, thanking them, my fingers tightening

paper.

But to me?

sweat,

sleepless nights, endless pages of notes,

when

the mirror and reminded myself who I

Alex

woman they

But Athena Dawson.

damn it, I

ree

under therapy for three months and and It helped me a lot. At

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255