From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45 Teri Needs Help

Even Athena, who was usually a bit careless, could tell what that woman was thinking.

She and Zaden sat together in the living room, both looking a little uncomfortable.

Athena glanced at him, wondering if she should say something. Sitting there in silence felt far too awkward.

“Ms. Hall.”

Zaden’s deep voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

She turned to him. “Mr. Storm, what is it?”

Zaden looked at her for a long moment–so long that Athena began to feel uneasy.

Did she forget to wipe food off her face after dinner or something?

Finally, he spoke. “I have a favor to ask. I don’t know if you’ll agree.”

“Go ahead,” Athena said, frowning slightly.

She had a feeling it might be something serious but didn’t want to jump to conclusions.

Zaden glanced toward the kitchen, then he asked, “Do you know what Asperger’s syndrome is?”

Athena nodded. “You mean autism?”

Finished

She used to be a surgeon. While it wasn’t her field, she had a general understanding of such conditions.

Zaden nodded again, his tone serious. “Asperger’s is a type of autism. The main symptoms are social difficulties, trouble communicating, repetitive behaviors, and narrow or unusual interests. Teri was diagnosed with it when she was very young.”

Athena doubted her hearing. Teri? She could hardly believe it.

Teri didn’t seem like a child with that condition.

Zaden pinched the center of his brows and said quietly, “Teri didn’t start talking until she was five. She keeps her distance from everyone, except you and Harriet.”

That was why he had asked Harriet to help take care of her.

But Teri’s closeness to Athena, a total outsider, was something he had never expected.

Athena didn’t know what to say.

If what Zaden said was true, then Teri’s progress meant he must have poured an incredible amount of time and energy into helping her.

Deep down, Athena couldn’t help but admire him even more.

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Chapter 45 Teri Needs Help

Finished

After a short pause, Zaden’s expression grew serious. “I hope you can spend more time with Teri,” he said slowly. “Help her learn how to connect with people. She smiles a lot more when she’s with you.”

He looked straight at her. “If possible, I’d like to hire you as Teri’s therapist. I’ll pay you double the standard

rate.”

Wait–what?

Athena’s eyes widened. He wanted to hire her as Teri’s therapist?

She used to be a surgeon and a skilled holistic medicine doctor. Now, he wanted her to become a child therapist? That was far too big of a leap!

“But…” she hesitated. “I used to be a doctor, yes, but I’m not really trained in psychology.”

Zaden went on, “I’ve hired many well–known psychologists. some of the best in the field. None of them helped Teri. But you’re different.”

He gave her a steady look. “You don’t need to do anything complicated. Just spend time with her whenever you can.”

“Like today,” he added gently. “Have a meal with her. Talk to her more.”

Athena was stunned. For a moment, she couldn’t even react. She had never imagined Teri would have such a condition. The thought made her heart ache for the little girl even more.

What touched her most was that Zaden, a man with such status and pride, had put all that aside to sincerely ask for her help and even offered to pay her.

It felt like a miracle falling right out of the sky. How could she possibly refuse?

“Do you need me to come to your place every day?” she asked after a pause. “That might be a little inconvenient.”

She wasn’t being difficult. Athena just didn’t want to run into Lewis and Nina. She was already determined to cut ties with Lewis, but she wasn’t a masochist. The last thing she wanted was to see him and Nina acting lovey–dovey every single day.

Zaden thought for a moment before replying, “That won’t be necessary. I’ll figure something out.”

Athena was just about to ask what he meant when Harriet and Teri came out of the kitchen, having finished washing the dishes. “Teri,” Zaden said gently, “let’s go home.”

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