The Devil CEO's Contract Wife - Chapter 302: What Needs To Be Done [1]

Chapter 302: What Needs To Be Done [1]

It was days until we could get Athena away from Adrian.

Athena spent the last week cuddling his cold body and saying as much as she wanted. Things she couldn’t tell him or never had the chance to. In her own way, he listened, and she poured her heart out. But when it was finally time to part with him, she screamed and caused a tantrum.

Not until Ares held her back and she broke in his arms while screaming for us not to take him away.

It has been a long week. Adrian’s funeral and the devastating news. We tried to keep it down a notch, but the media got a whiff of his demise.

It turned out Ares didn’t pull the trigger on Constance. He originally went to the room, but she already had the gun pointed at her head, claiming she had given up on the family and there was no hope for us. The truth about Adrian was the last straw for her.

Maybe she regretted using Adrian to get her way, or perhaps siding with Agatha, or maybe she was just a crazy old witch who saw there was no use fighting a losing battle and would rather die by her hand than Ares’.

See? Crazy.

I made a turn into the next hallway, being greeted by the nurses, to whom I replied with a curt nod. I arrived at the room and found Isaac leaning against the door.

“She kicked you out?” I asked, knowing that was the only reason he could be out here.

Isaac had stuck close to Athena like glue, even though she had pushed him away many times. I guess she won this battle.

“She’s kicking everyone out…” He replied in annoyance. “Except you. You were always a favorite.”

I tried to overlook the shifty tone there. It would be hard to wrap my head around the fact that he was jealous.

“Because I’m not forcing her to stop bed rotting.”

“She can’t continue like this…”

“And she won’t… all she needs is time.”

Isaac’s scowl deepened. I swore he was gonna throw words at me or something. We were both like oil and water, but sometimes we blended well like fire and gasoline.

“Don’t give that look. What she needs right now is for us to be patient. You know how Athena is… don’t you trust her well enough to be back on her feet?”

“That’s the thing, Catherine… I don’t want her to do it alone…”

I see. I understand his pain as well as his feelings. Athena was a handful, but I was certain that was what he loved most about her. There was no other explanation why he kept bringing down her wall, no matter how high she built it.

I released a breath. “That would be up to her, wouldn’t it?”

Isaac huffed, pushing off the door with his hands buried in his jeans pocket.

“Just convince her it’s time to leave this place or something.”

“Do you have a plan in mind?”

“Of course, I have plans. For her.”

I smiled.

“What?” He scowled again as if my amusement disgusted him.

“I’m glad she has you, even though she doesn’t want it. The Kings aren’t good at letting anyone in, trust me, I experienced it firsthand. It’s gonna take a while, but it’ll be worth it.”

“Unlike you, I’m not gonna bolt. I worship craziness.”

I rolled my eyes as I grabbed the doorknob and opened the door, closing it behind me.

I dropped the takeout box I came with on the couch, stepping into the room, but she wasn’t on the bed.

“Athena?” I moved my gaze to the open doors leading to the balcony, and my heart dropped.

I called her name as I ran, halting. “Okay, you don’t have to do this!”

Athena threw a look over her shoulder. “Do what?”

How can she ask me that question when she’s literally seated on the railing? And need I remind her that the wind is enough to knock her over!

“W-Why don’t you get down first? I brought Chinese… your favorite. At least have a meal first, then we can talk. I’m here, alright? I’m here. Your bestie isn’t going anywhere… so please

…”

Athena snorted. “Oh, Cat. What do you think I’m gonna do? Jump?”

Her laughter wasn’t enough to ease my nerves. My heart beating so fast I fear it might literally drop.

“I’m not suicidal, don’t worry. There are so many things I wanna do, so hell gotta wait.”

My mouth hung as words were lost. Athena swung her legs towards my direction and jumped off to the floor, my dread dissolving.

“How’s Esme?” She asked, walking past me back inside the room.

I stood for a while trying to get a grip on myself before following behind her.

“Esme’s fine.”

“Don’t worry, her favorite auntie is gonna see her soon. I’m gonna spoil her with tons of shopping.”

I didn’t realize she was ready for that. After Adrian’s funeral, she has been in the hospital for a close check-up and therapy. A lot of therapy. Ares and I had ours, too.

It was to focus more on their trauma, and I was with him every step of the way.

“Esme can visit…” I suggested. “She would have come but…”

“Oh, let her… I miss her.” Athena smiled. “What’s with you? Why so uptight? Did I scare you? I didn’t mean to. The wind just smelled so fresh, I couldn’t resist. Maybe a trip to an island is gonna ease that craving.”

I should be asking her that question. Suddenly, the entire thing is in reverse. I’m worried about her. What she has been through for the last week was scarring, and now she is just okay?

“I’m fine, Cat.”

Her words brought me back. I guess this was one of the times when she had finally stepped up from her grief. But the process was…!

“I think the push I needed was for Adrian to be at peace.”

I swallowed a lump in my throat, my gaze dipping.

“Have you found her?” she asked in a cold tone.

My eyes met hers. “Yes…”