From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 190

Zaden took the bag from Tommy. “Thanks.”

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After closing the door, he walked back and pulled out what was inside. He handed it to Athena and said, “It’s brand new.”

Athena blinked in surprise. Inside the bag was a brand–new set of pajamas–and even underwear.

Her face turned bright red. “Um… is this really okay?”

Zaden’s eyes swept over her once. “It should fit.”

How could he possibly know that?

Athena hurried into the bathroom to wash up and change. When she slipped into the pajamas, she was stunned–they fit perfectly, not even a size off.

Her cheeks grew hot again.

Did he actually know my size?

When she stepped out, Zaden was holding a small bottle of medicated lotion. “Your foot seemed sore earlier,” he said. “Come here, I’ll put some on it for you.”

Athena hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She’d spent the whole day searching for him; if he wanted to help her now, she couldn’t refuse. She sat down quietly.

Zaden took her foot gently into his hand and rolled up her pant leg.

As he bent his head to work, his focus and calm expression made something stir inside her.

He’d helped her like this before–but this time, it felt different somehow.

She couldn’t explain why.

He poured some of the lotion into his palm and rubbed it slowly into her ankle. His voice dropped low. “If it hurts, tell me.”

“Oh.”

Athena snapped out of her daze and nodded quickly.

It didn’t hurt at all–in fact, his touch felt warm and careful.

12:20 Fri, Oct 24 B.

Chapter 190 Second Time

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Zaden’s face was close, his sharp features softened under the light. The quiet intensity in his eyes made her heart beat a little faster.

Then her thoughts wandered to the time he went missing.

Maybe he’d been struggling with something deep inside. Maybe she should try to talk to him

about it.

After a moment of thought, she asked softly, “Zaden … you don’t get along with your mom, do

you?”

Zaden’s hands paused. He looked up at her. “Did Harriet tell you about me?”

“Uh…

she just said your mom was really strict when you were a kid. That you always felt like you didn’t belong in her world. She thinks you just hate being controlled…

Seeing the worry on Athena’s face, Zaden chuckled.

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He nodded. “That’s pretty accurate. But honestly, I don’t let it bother me anymore.”

Liar.

Athena frowned. “If it didn’t bother you, you wouldn’t have gone missing like that! Do you know how worried Harriet was? She nearly lost her mind looking for you!”

Harriet looked for me until she almost went crazy… but what about you?

Zaden almost asked the question out loud, but before he could, Athena gasped.

“Oh! I totally forgot to call Harriet and tell her I found you! What if she’s still out there looking? I need to call her now.”

She grabbed her phone, but Zaden stopped her.

“No need. I already had Tommy tell her.”

Athena let out a breath of relief. She’d feel awful if Harriet were still out there searching while they were already resting here.

Zaden rubbed the bridge of his nose.

He felt a little guilty. After all, his whole “disappearance” had been a setup–something he and Harriet planned just to see if Athena cared about him.

Judging by her reaction, it seemed to have worked.

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