Chapter 22 The Debt Forgotten After speaking, Athena brushed past Lewis and headed upstairs. Lewis froze. His pupils tightened, and his head buzzed. What did Athena mean by that? 67 Finished Years ago, he really had faced a deadly moment. He had been ambushed in an alley, stabbed, and left bleeding until he blacked out. In the haze of his fading consciousness, he remembered a woman appearing in front of him. But that woman had been Nina. Not Athena. His chest tightened with unease. Lewis rushed after her, blocking her way. His voice was sharp. "What did you mean just now? When did you ever save me?" Athena frowned slightly. So, he didn't remember? Haha! How ridiculous. She lowered her gaze to her hand. Back then, she had thrown herself in front of him, taking the knife for him. Her tendon had been severed, and she had been forced to give up surgery. And yet, that sacrifice-the reason her career had ended-he didn't remember at all. All of it had become a cruel joke. "Fine. Think of it as me saving a stray dog, only for it to bite me later," Athena said flatly. Then her lips curved into a mocking smile. "I don't care how much you and Nina love each other. But she used your name to act untouchable, and she burned my father's keepsake. That, I won't forgive. Keep protecting her if you like, but I'll settle the score with both of you." Lewis's eyes darkened. Nina burned Athena's father's things? "What did you say? That's impossible. Nina would never- Athena's expression turned icy. She had no desire to explain further. There was nothing left to say. Lewis's heart belonged to Nina, and no argument could change that. She turned and walked upstairs, her back straight and unyielding, her coldness shutting him out completely. 1/3 14:39 Sat, Oct 18 Chapter 22 The Debt Forgotten Lewis didn't chase her. Something about her expression told him she wasn't lying. His brows furrowed in frustration before he finally turned and left. B 67 Finished At the hospital, Nina lay on the bed. The truth was, she wasn't sick at all. That day, when Athena was about to reveal that Nina had threatened her with her father's keepsake, she had faked fainting. And ever since then, she had pretended to be weak-just to make Lewis worry and fuss over her. In reality, nothing was wrong with her body. But how could she ever let Lewis see her darker side? In his eyes, she had to remain the perfect, gentle woman. For days, she pretended to be in a coma, listening as Lewis snapped at the doctors. Deep down, it made her feel sweet and warm. Lewis still cared about her. But she couldn't keep pretending forever. Her back was sore from lying down so long. She decided it was time to "wake up" soon. Nina was still planning when the door to her hospital room suddenly swung open. Lewis stood there, his face cold and stern. She jumped in surprise. He had caught her awake! Quickly, she slumped against the pillows, putting on a weak voice. "Lewis, you came?" He strode across the room, stopping by her bed. His eyes locked on her with a look she couldn't read. Nina's heart began to pound with guilt. She forced a harmless smile. "Lewis, why are you looking at me like that? I didn't know how long I'd been asleep. When I woke up and didn't see you, I got so scared." Lewis pressed down his thoughts. "I was at the office." 2/3 14:39 Sat, Oct 18 Chapter 22 The Debt Forgotten Then, without warning, he asked, "Did you burn Athena's father's keepsake?" Nina froze. Her mouth opened, but no words came. Then tears spilled down her cheeks. 67 Finished "It was Dion. I never thought he would do that. That day Athena came at me, ready to hit me. Dion stepped in to protect me. It's my fault. I didn't raise him right." She looked at Lewis carefully, then asked in a small voice, "Lewis, what's wrong? Isn't Athena just a pawn? Why are you suddenly so concerned about her?" His face darkened at this. Yes-Athena was supposed to be nothing more than a pawn I'd chosen to raise the child in Nina's place. So why did I care so much about her? Lewis thought of Athena's cold, distant face earlier and the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. Athena even claimed she had once saved him. His gaze sharpened on Nina. "I'll ask you one last thing. Back then did you really save me?" Nina's pupils shrank. Cold sweat trickled down her back. She forced herself to stay calm, putting on a hurt look. Her voice trembled. "Lewis, what's gotten into you? Did Athena say something to you? You know she's always wanted to take you back. Of course she would twist the truth to fool you. Are you really going to believe her?" Send Gifts