Chapter 21 A Shadow at the Door Finished Harriet never wanted Athena to become a housewife. To her, a woman as talented as Athena should use her skills and show her worth. Staying home would be such a waste. Neither Harriet nor Kate knew Athena was planning to divorce Lewis. Athena didn't want them. to worry, so she kept it to herself during dinner. Athena sat in silence, staring at her hands. It wasn't that she didn't want to work, but she could no longer hold a scalpel. Harriet understood what was on her mind. She brushed it off and said, "If surgery isn't an option, you could move toward holistic medicine instead." Athena had thought about it. Over the years, she hadn't just been a housewife. She used every spare moment to sharpen her medical skills. There was no rush. Once she broke free from Lewis, she would finally have real freedom. "I'll think about it," Athena said. Harriet knew that after years at home, Athena might feel hesitant and unsure. She didn't push her. "If you decide, call me." Soon, Harriet's car stopped outside Athena's apartment. Athena stepped out and said, "Got it." She waved as Harriet drove away. Kate's medical skills were still amazing. Not long ago, Athena's leg had been stiff and painful. But after Kate placed a few needles, the pain almost vanished. Maybe in a couple of days she'd be back to normal. Why hadn't she thought to needle herself? Just as she turned to head upstairs, a shadow suddenly fell across her. She looked up and saw Lewis's dark, cold face. His eyes burned with anger as he glared at her. "Athena! Where were you today?" His voice came sharp, more accusation than question. 1/3 14:39 Sat, Oct 18 Chapter 21 A Shadow at the Door Athena had to bite back the urge to roll her eyes. 67 Finished "Why do you care? We're about to get divorced. You don't get to boss me around anymore!" Athena remembered how Lewis used to scold her if she came home late, accusing her of neglecting Dion. Not anymore. She didn't owe him any explanations now. She turned to head upstairs without another word. But Lewis stepped in front of her, blocking her path. His voice was low and sharp. "Today you went to Woodridge ... " He paused, his eyes narrowing with anger. "And Zaden was there too." Athena froze for a moment, surprised he knew her whereabouts. Did he have someone following her? His tone made her laugh inside. What a double standard. Lewis had done far worse with Nina in secret, yet here he was furious just because she'd had dinner with Zaden. She met his gaze, her voice cold. "And what about you? You set up a whole second home with Nina upstairs in my building. That's a lot worse. Where do you get the right to question me?" There was no point in being polite anymore. She was done pretending. Lewis was speechless. Ever since the gas explosion, when Athena had seen Nina, he knew he couldn't hide things anymore. But he still hadn't cared much. He thought he could smooth things over with a few sweet words. Yet now, as Athena pulled further out of his control, his grip slipped, and he couldn't stand it. To him, Athena was just a tool. She was his possession. Even if he didn't love her, no one else was allowed to touch her. "So you really are sneaking around with Zaden?" Lewis's eyes narrowed, his voice dangerous. Athena pulled her arm free from his grip, her voice sharp with irritation. "I went to see my professor. I'm not as filthy as you're imagining. If you came here just to lose your mind over this, then you can leave." 2/3 14:39 Sat, Oct 18 Chapter 21 A Shadow at the Door 67 Finished Lewis let out a cold laugh. "Your professor?" His tone was mocking. "The only person in that neighborhood who deserves that title is Professor Warner. Are you saying she's your professor?" It was obvious he had already investigated every single resident in the area. Athena stopped in her tracks and lifted her eyes to meet his. "That's right." "Athena, do you really think I'd believe that?" His eyes brimmed with scorn and disbelief. "Professor Warner comes from a family of holistic medicine experts. How could you possibly be her student?" Athena suddenly felt the conversation was pointless. Lewis had never truly known her. He didn't understand her past, didn't care about her struggles, and would never believe a word she said. To him, she was nothing more than a quiet housewife, an accessory to his life. But the truth was different. She had only withdrawn because she had ruined her hands saving him. She had given up her career and her future because of that moment. Her throat tightened, her voice breaking as she finally whispered the words she had buried for years. "Lewis, I should never have saved you." Send Gifts