From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 388

**TITLE: Her Rise 388**
**CONTENT:**
**Chapter 388 I Have to Go**

Just as Athena was on the verge of delving deeper into their conversation, a palpable shift in Lewis’s demeanor completely threw her off balance. It was as if a dark cloud had suddenly cast a shadow over his features, signaling that urgent news had reached him—news that required his immediate attention and departure.

“Athena, I have to go,” he announced abruptly, his tone strained, each syllable laden with an unspoken heaviness. The call ended as swiftly as it had begun, leaving Athena engulfed in a fog of confusion and turmoil. He hadn’t even taken a moment to explain who the man was or why this news held such critical importance.

Frozen in place, Athena felt her heart race, pounding against her ribcage as her mind spiraled into chaos. The world around her blurred, spinning wildly as she was swept away in a torrent of emotions. For seven agonizing years, she had held onto the belief that the child she had lost belonged to her and Lewis. The haunting thought of that little one growing up without her—perhaps even calling another woman “Mom”—gnawed at her heart, a relentless torment. Despite the painful divorce from Lewis, her resolve remained unshaken; she was determined to find her child, no matter the obstacles that lay in her path.

The gnawing fear that her own flesh and blood was out there, possibly being nurtured by another woman, was a burden she had borne in solitude. Now, with this new revelation hanging over her like a storm cloud, everything she had clung to felt as if it was disintegrating, slipping through her fingers like grains of sand.

A tempest of anger surged within her, each wave threatening to pull her under. She stood there, a statue of disbelief, until a familiar voice broke through the haze of her thoughts.

“Athena, are you okay? You look pale,” Elijah’s concerned voice cut through her turmoil, pulling her back to reality.

As her vision sharpened, she recognized Elijah standing before her, worry etched across his brow. But in that moment, she felt too overwhelmed to engage with him. Instead, she turned on her heel, her heart heavy with unspoken anguish, and walked away, leaving him staring after her, confusion written all over his face.

Elijah had merely been passing by when he caught sight of Athena on the phone, her expression revealing a world of distress. Though he couldn’t hear the particulars of her conversation, the gravity of her demeanor suggested that whatever was happening was significant—and likely had nothing to do with Zaden.

A sharp glint flickered in Elijah’s eyes as he contemplated the implications of what he had just witnessed. He resolved to uncover the truth behind Athena’s distress; it might prove to be a valuable piece of information he could leverage in the future.

Once back in her office, Athena collapsed into her chair, her body weighed down by exhaustion. The news she had just received felt like an anchor, making it nearly impossible to think clearly. She felt lightheaded, as if the very air around her had thickened, suffocating her thoughts. There was no way she could focus on work now.

With trembling fingers, she texted Kate, explaining that she had an urgent matter to attend to and would be leaving early.

**12:02 Sun, Dec 7**
**Chapter 388 I Have to Go See Him**

After receiving Kate’s swift reply, Athena gathered her belongings and exited the hospital. The early hour meant that Teri and Zaden were still away, leaving only the maid, who looked taken aback upon seeing her. “Mrs. Storm, why are you home so early today?” she inquired, her eyes wide with surprise.

Athena, feeling drained, could barely muster the energy to respond. “It’s nothing. Please, just continue with your work,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might shatter her already fragile composure.

With a heavy heart, she trudged upstairs, locking herself in her room. All she wanted was a moment of peace, yet exhaustion enveloped her, and she soon succumbed to sleep, her body sinking into the mattress as if it were a refuge from her chaos.

**12:02 Sun, Dec 7**
**Chapter 388 I Have to Go See Him**

He would have to reveal everything, word for word!

By the time Zaden and Teri returned home, Athena had managed to compose herself. The signs of her earlier panic had all but vanished. Zaden, surprised to see her back so soon, raised an eyebrow, sensing that something was amiss but unaware of the storm brewing within her heart.

In the wake of the tumultuous events that unfolded, Athena found herself standing at a crossroads, her heart heavy with unresolved pain and the weight of lost years. The abrupt departure of Lewis had ignited a fire within her, one that demanded answers and closure. As she stewed in her own thoughts, the haunting memories of her child lingered like shadows, each moment a reminder of the love she had fought so hard to protect. The emotional turmoil she experienced was not merely a reaction to Lewis’s sudden call but a culmination of years spent grappling with her grief, her longing, and the unresolved questions that had haunted her ever since she had lost her child. Athena’s resolve hardened; she would confront her past, no matter how painful the journey might be.

Emerging from her bath, Athena felt a renewed sense of purpose. The chaos that once engulfed her mind began to dissipate, replaced by a steely determination to uncover the truth. She understood that this was not just about seeking closure for herself but also about reclaiming her identity as a mother. The battle ahead would be fought alone, but she was ready to face it head-on. As Zaden and Teri returned home, oblivious to the storm brewing within her, Athena knew that she would have to navigate this path carefully, balancing her responsibilities while delving into the depths of her past. With every step she took towards Lewis, she felt the weight of her past lifting, replaced by the hope of finally unearthing the truth that had eluded her for so long.

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

As Athena steels herself for the confrontation with Lewis, readers can expect an emotional rollercoaster filled with tension and revelations. The chapter promises to delve deeper into the past that haunts Athena—secrets that have lingered like shadows, waiting to be uncovered. With her heart set on finding answers, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Lewis finally divulge the truth about their lost child, or will he continue to shield the painful memories that have long haunted both of them? The anticipation of their reunion looms large, and the outcome could change everything.

Moreover, the dynamics between Athena and Zaden are set to shift as the truth threatens to unravel the fragile fabric of their relationship. As Zaden senses that something is troubling Athena, the tension between them could ignite a confrontation of its own. Will Athena confide in him, or will she choose to bear the burden alone? The emotional stakes are raised, and the impending clash between Athena and Lewis is sure to leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what truths will be revealed and how they will affect the lives of everyone involved. Prepare for a chapter filled with heart-wrenching decisions, unexpected twists, and the relentless pursuit of closure.