CHAPTER 16

Athena's POV

I wake up feeling even heavier than I did when I went to sleep. The weight of last night’s farewell lingers, making my heart feel like it's been dragged through a storm. As we prepare to head back to the city, I try to mask the signs of my distress. My eyes are red and puffy, so I slip on a pair of dark sunglasses, hoping they’ll shield my pain from view.

In the foyer, my father is waiting with a cup of coffee. He hands it to me with a concerned look. “Rough night?” he asks, his voice gentle but probing.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak without breaking down.

“Well, let’s get you back home. You can rest before tomorrow,” he says, pulling me into a brief, reassuring hug. His hand rests comfortingly around my shoulders, a gesture that provides a small measure of solace.

“You’ll need to be sharp this week,” he continues, his tone shifting to a more business-like edge. “There’s a meeting with the New York FDA that I need you to attend.”

I nod again, more out of obligation