From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 386

**TITLE: Her Rise 386**
**CONTENT: From Betrayal to Brilliance: Her Rise to a New Life**

**Chapter 386 A Strange Call**

In the fleeting moments after her conversation with Kate, Athena found herself swept up in a tempest of emotions, each thought crashing against the other like waves in a stormy sea. It was as if a flickering light had ignited in the shadowy corners of her mind, illuminating the haunting memories she had fought so hard to bury.

“Kate,” she began, her voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of concern, “I genuinely believe you should tread carefully with him. Zaden is a good man at heart, and I can see the potential for true happiness blossoming between you two.”

As she spoke, Athena’s gaze remained locked on Kate, an overwhelming urge to reveal her closely guarded secret bubbling just beneath the surface. Yet she hesitated, the weight of that truth pressing down on her chest like an anchor. The bond she shared with Zaden felt so delicate, as if it were a fragile thread that could snap with the slightest tremor. Perhaps this was not the right moment to unveil the reality that loomed over her—a dark cloud that threatened to overshadow everything.

Teri was Athena’s child!

The gravity of that revelation hung heavily in the air, an unspoken truth that neither Zaden nor Kate was aware of, leaving Athena as the sole keeper of this secret. A tide of conflicting emotions washed over her, flickering across her features like a candle in the wind.

“Professor, I need to head back to my office now,” she declared, urgency lacing her words as she sought to escape the confines of this conversation. With everything settled in her heart, she felt an overwhelming need to move forward, to break free from the oppressive weight of her unshared burden.

Kate blinked, momentarily lost in thought before snapping back to reality. “Sure, go ahead,” she replied, a hint of understanding glimmering in her eyes.

Once outside the comforting walls of Kate’s office, Athena made her way toward her own, but just as she was about to step inside, the shrill ring of her phone sliced through the quiet hallway, jolting her from her thoughts.

Her heart raced as she glanced at the caller ID. It was a landline—a number that felt both oddly familiar and unsettling.

With a moment’s hesitation, she answered, her voice cautious. “Hello…?”

On the other end, only static greeted her, a crackling sound that sent a shiver racing down her spine.

Frowning in annoyance, Athena wondered if this was some sort of prank. Just as she was about to hang up, a raspy voice broke through the static, sending chills cascading down her spine.

“Athena.”

At the sound of that voice, time seemed to freeze. Her heart raced, and her breath caught in her throat.

Lewis!

The mere mention of his name tightened the already fragile state of her heart, reopening wounds she had believed were long since healed.

Gripping the phone tightly, Athena felt a tempest of emotions swirling within her. She was all too aware of Lewis’s past—his arrest for the terrible things he had done to Nina, the two years he spent behind bars. She had fought valiantly to put that chapter behind her, striving to fill her life with new experiences that dulled the pain of the past.

Now, just when she thought she had finally reclaimed her life and purpose, this unexpected call from Lewis yanked her back into the depths of memories she had desperately tried to escape.

Her expression hardened, and a chill settled into her tone. “How did you manage to call me? Aren’t you still in jail?”

To her, the relationship with Lewis was a closed book, the pages forever sealed and locked away.

His voice came through, weary and hoarse, as if he had been crying out for far too long. “I just got a rare chance to call a family member.”

Athena’s mind screamed at him, Get lost! I am not your family!

But she chose to suppress her anger, keeping her voice cool and detached. “What do you want? If you need something, contact the Belmonts. I’m busy and don’t have time for this.”

She moved to hang up, eager to sever this connection once and for all.

But Lewis’s betrayal had tainted those memories, transforming them into something bitter and unrecognizable.

The past was a ghost that refused to release its hold on her, yet she was determined to rise above it, to reclaim her brilliance from the ashes of betrayal.

In the aftermath of the unexpected call from Lewis, Athena stood at a crossroads, enveloped in a mix of anger and newfound strength. The memories he evoked, once suffocating, now felt like echoes of a life she had bravely left behind. As she reflected on their tumultuous past, she realized that the chains of his derision no longer bound her. The bitterness of their shared history had transformed into a catalyst for her growth, illuminating the path toward her true self. With every word he uttered, she felt the weight of his presence diminish, replaced by the clarity of her choices and the promise of a future filled with hope and possibility.

Emboldened by her journey and the connections she cherished, Athena resolved to embrace her new life fully. The fragile bond she had with Zaden stood in stark contrast to her past with Lewis, a reminder that love can flourish in the face of adversity. As she hung up the phone, a sense of liberation washed over her, reinforcing her commitment to pursue happiness, unencumbered by the shadows of betrayal. With each step she took away from the remnants of her former life, Athena felt herself rising—stronger, wiser, and ready to embrace the brilliance that awaited her.

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**

In the upcoming chapter, readers will witness Athena grappling with the emotional fallout from her unexpected encounter with Lewis. As the past resurfaces, the delicate balance of her new life with Zaden hangs in the balance. Will Athena be able to confront the shadows of her former marriage, or will Lewis’s reemergence pull her back into a world she fought so hard to escape? Tension will mount as she navigates this treacherous terrain, and the stakes will be higher than ever. The fragile thread connecting her to Zaden may fray under the weight of her unresolved feelings and the haunting memories Lewis brings with him.

Moreover, Athena’s struggle to maintain her newfound independence will be tested. As she wrestles with her past, she must also consider how much of her truth she is willing to share with Zaden. The choices she makes could either fortify their bond or drive a wedge between them. With secrets simmering just beneath the surface, the chapter promises to be a riveting exploration of love, betrayal, and the quest for self-identity. Will Athena find the strength to face her demons, or will they consume her once more? Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions and revelations that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating what lies ahead.

**Conclusion**

In the wake of the unsettling call from Lewis, Athena stands at a pivotal moment in her life, where the past and present collide in a tumultuous dance. The echoes of her previous relationship, once a source of pain and confusion, have begun to fade into distant memories, overshadowed by the light of her new beginnings with Zaden. As she grapples with the remnants of her former marriage, Athena discovers a newfound strength within herself—a resilience that allows her to confront the shadows without being consumed by them. The emotional turmoil stirred by Lewis’s voice serves as a catalyst for her growth, solidifying her resolve to embrace the life she has fought so hard to reclaim.

With each passing moment, Athena feels the weight of her past lifting, replaced by the promise of a brighter future. The fragile bond she shares with Zaden offers a stark contrast to the bitterness she once knew, illuminating the path toward genuine happiness. As she takes a deep breath and steps away from the ghosts of her former life, Athena is determined to nurture this new love, unencumbered by the chains of betrayal. The journey ahead may be fraught with challenges, but she is ready to face them head-on, armed with the knowledge that her brilliance lies not in her past, but in the choices she makes today.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the next chapter, Athena’s journey takes a gripping turn as she confronts the unsettling reality of Lewis’s reappearance in her life. The emotional turbulence that follows his call will force her to reevaluate her past decisions and the strength of her current relationship with Zaden. As memories of betrayal claw at her resolve, Athena must navigate the treacherous waters of unresolved feelings and the lingering shadows of her former marriage. Will she succumb to the familiar pull of her past, or will she rise above it, fortified by the love she has begun to cultivate with Zaden? The stakes have never been higher, and the tension will be palpable as Athena grapples with her choices.

Moreover, Athena’s internal struggle will be mirrored in her interactions with Zaden, who remains blissfully unaware of the tempest brewing within her. As secrets threaten to unravel the delicate bond they’ve formed, Athena will face the daunting question of vulnerability: how much of her truth can she share without jeopardizing their connection? The chapter promises to delve deep into the complexities of love, trust, and the courage it takes to embrace one’s past while forging a new future. With each turn of the page, readers will be captivated by Athena’s determination to reclaim her life, all while holding their breath to see if she can truly break free from the chains of her history. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected revelations that will leave you eager for more.