Chapter 2009 The Wrong Number
"No one is answering." Byron held the phone, frowning. Athena took the phone from him and listened. "Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service." "Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service." "Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service." The mechanical voice of the automated message, coldly repeating itself, resonated in her ears. Aloud thud echoed in Athena's heart, and the towering structure she desperately held up in her mind collapsed instantly. In her mind, the video Mike brought forth reemerged. In one of the three clips, Byron stood under a tree shade, unwrapping an ice cream and handing it to someone opposite him. He was furrowing his brows and speaking constantly. In another clip, he was walking on a deserted path, not looking as distressed as before. It seemed as if someone by his side had said something funny, making him laugh. He walked with a smile, even making playful gestures with the unseen companion. The last clip was similar. Byron seemed to be having a heated conversation with someone. Due to the distance from the dash cam, no sound was captured. But it was evident he was very upset. After speaking, Byron looked down, frustrated, and then made a motion to pat the other person's head. Athena, with her sharp intuition, realized after watching the videos that her hopes, the lifeline she had clung to, were baseless. Byron would never laugh and jest with the "himself" he despised, nor show such a caring expression to that "himself." All signs pointed to the fact that the video captured scenes of Byron with the boy, whose childhood was similar to his own, as he'd described. "Did he answer?" Byron's voice pulled Athena back from her thoughts. "No." Athena's voice was a bit hoarse. "What's wrong? Why has your complexion changed so suddenly?" Byron's brows tightened. "Do you feel unwell?" "I didn't eat enough for breakfast. | feel a bit lightheaded." Athena lowered her gaze, her eyes becoming moist. She wasn't worried about breaking down in front of Byron. She felt so numb she couldn't even cry. "Come, let's wait inside the restaurant.” Byron supported Athena and quickly moved her inside. "Martin, go check downstairs. He mentioned wearing a beige hoodie and arriving by bike." "Yes!" Martin watched as Byron helped Athena into the restaurant, feeling extremely anxious. Athena had been off since they alighted from the car, and after receiving Byron's phone, it got even worse.
A thought surged in Martin's mon Trouble was breyngtBiGira fio FResereadtne original content at .
A server poured a cup of wa Athena. PI se eat Fe Sriginal coMteft at .
She sat there, numbly, sippin Hen water slowly Rieaye Ridthe original cbMfeftat . "Do you feel better?" Byron stood by her side, his large hand alternatively touching her cheek and forehead. Feeling the warmth from his palm, Athena's chaotic thoughts began to settle. She thought to herself, "Collapsing now wouldn't solve anything. If Byron is ill, then we treat it. We'll treat the illness!" "| feel much better." Athena looked at Byron. "Byron, | remember you telling me that the first time you met that boy was in Northern Canakey. Where exactly?" "Near the hospital where Evie gave birth. He almost got hit by a cyclist, and | saved him. | got slightly injured during the process but didn't tell you because | didn't want you to worry," Byron answered honestly. Property © NôvelDrama.Org.