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 he

I did that.

least I was the match

says softly, guiding me to

we walk, the silence wraps around me like a second

do

I stirred up

fresh wave of guilt

should've let

what caused me to

I had every right to

six

"Congratulations, Dawson! You've

this hospital!" Dr. Lin says, her voice filled with pride as

letter confirming my promotion.

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

it's a gentle,

already been on the

year that

and nod, thanking

paper. Ink

But to me?

blood, sweat,

pages of

bathroom when no

I looked in the mirror and

Alex tried

woman they

But Athena Dawson.

it,

ree

had to go under therapy for three months and and It helped me a lot. At first, I

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