Chapter 46. You Need to Have Been Grown

Athena

I could hear Tristan calling after me, his long strides echoing in the hospital corridor as he tried to catch up.

“Athena!” His voice carried that commanding tone he used when he expected people to listen.

I didn’t stop. I kept walking, faster now, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The fluorescent lights above felt too bright, too harsh, making everything look stark and ugly.

“Wait up!” I felt his hand grab my arm, spinning me around to face him.

My face was burning with anger, my whole body trembling with rage I could barely contain. When I turned to look at him, I saw him flinch at whatever expression was on my face.

“What is it?” I snapped, my voice sharp enough to cut glass.

For a moment, he looked genuinely shocked that I’d screamed at him. Then he quickly masked his surprise, slipping back into that calm, controlled demeanor he always wore when things got difficult.

“Why won’t you tell me what’s going on