From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 286

Her Rise 286
A Quiet Trip Together

Zaden was behind the wheel as they made their way to the airport. Tommy had already taken care of booking their plane tickets the evening before, so all Athena needed to do was bring her ID. The simplicity of the arrangements suited Zaden’s low-profile approach—no flashy private jets or extravagant plans. Just a straightforward trip, nothing to draw attention.

Once they arrived, Zaden parked the car in the airport lot, unbuckled his seatbelt, and stepped out. He moved with a calm efficiency, helping Athena unload her bags before grabbing his own. The casual nature of the trip only reinforced Athena’s suspicion that Zaden had some hidden agenda. Why else would he insist on coming along if it wasn’t for business?

The flight was uneventful, and about an hour later, they landed in Mofpolis. Athena had never visited the city before, but she felt a strange mix of curiosity and wariness. Zaden led her to a luxurious five-star hotel, its sleek, modern design both impressive and intimidating. When they checked in, she noticed he had booked just one room.

Of course. Athena thought bitterly. He was definitely planning something. She steeled herself, determined not to let her guard down until she was truly ready to forgive him. She exhaled quietly, trying to mask the turmoil swirling inside her. Her mind raced with conflicting emotions, but outwardly, she remained composed.

Hotel staff soon appeared, carrying their luggage up to the room. Once the bags were neatly arranged, the staff left, leaving the two of them alone in the spacious suite. The sudden silence felt heavy, almost suffocating. Athena found herself at a loss for words, unsure how to break the awkward stillness.

A flicker of regret crept into her thoughts. Maybe agreeing to this trip had been too hasty. If she really wanted to gain experience, she could have accompanied a professor or gone alone. There was no real reason for Zaden to be here with her. But back then, none of that mattered—the moment he kissed her so unexpectedly, her mind had gone completely blank.

She tapped her forehead lightly with her palm. Of course—beautiful men are dangerous.

No wonder he kissed me the second I got into the car, she thought, adding another mark to Zaden’s growing list of “bad decisions.”

“Are you hungry?” Zaden’s voice cut through her reverie. He noticed the change in her expression and asked gently, “Want me to order something for you?”

His question brought Athena back to the present. With a small sigh, she nodded. “Fine. Order whatever you want.”

Truthfully, she wasn’t sure what else they were supposed to do if they didn’t eat. It felt like the only natural thing to do in this unfamiliar place.

Zaden called room service and ordered several local specialties. Soon enough, the food arrived, filling the room with a warm, inviting aroma. “Come eat,” he said, gesturing toward the table.

They settled in, but Zaden hardly touched his own meal. Instead, he kept piling food onto Athena’s plate. She hadn’t felt very hungry, but with him insisting, she found herself eating more than she wanted.

She blinked, surprised. Those words caught her off guard. He was afraid of losing her?

Zaden kept his gaze steady, as if confessing a long-held truth. “You were angry because of Maya. When you moved out, I panicked. I was scared—really scared—that I’d lost you for good. And in that moment, I finally understood something. Maya doesn’t matter to me at all.”

He exhaled deeply.

Maybe it was because he’d never been good at handling emotions. Maybe it was because Maya’s betrayal had left a wound that never fully healed. Over the years, he had convinced himself he was over her.

But deep down, a part of him still clung to that shadow of regret.

He hadn’t realized it until now.

It was Athena’s anger, her distance, that finally forced him to see the truth. Between Maya and Athena, the balance in his heart had shifted. For the first time, he truly knew where he belonged.