Chapter 6: Her Rival

The name Emilia Rhodes sliced through Athena’s resolve like a blade.

"No." The word left her lips before she could stop it. "I won’t work for them. Not now, not ever. Over my dead body."

Lia flinched at the venom in Athena’s voice. "Athena, I know this is personal, but—"

"Personal?" Athena let out a bitter laugh. "She stole the man I loved. Humiliated me. And now you want me to work under her? I’d rather starve."

Before Lia could respond, Ryan’s doctor approached, his face grim. "Ms. Vega, we need to talk."

Athena’s stomach churned.

"Ryan’s condition remains critical. He’ll need continuous treatment for the next several months. Any delay could be dangerous." He handed her a prescription. "This medication is crucial, but it’s costly. Five thousand dollars."

Athena stared at the paper in her hand, her mind spinning. Five thousand dollars—an entire month’s salary at her current job. Her hands trembled as she walked to the hospital pharmacy, Lia by her side. When the pharmacist confirmed the price, the reality of her situation hit her like a tidal wave.

She couldn’t afford to let pride dictate her choices.

Back in Ryan’s room, she watched him sleep, fragile and pale. She swallowed back her emotions and reached for her phone. Her hands shook as she scrolled to Lia’s contact.

Taking a deep breath, she whispered, "Tell me more about that job offer."

Lia responds quickly, her voice laced with cautious optimism. "Athena, are you sure about this?" she asks. "I can arrange a meeting with a Rhodes Company HR representative, but you need to be prepared."

I swallow the lump in my throat and nod, though she can't see me over the phone. "I know what I'm doing, Lia. I just... I just need this job."

Lia sighs. "Alright. I’ll set it up. But please, Athena, be careful. You know who you're dealing with."

As I prepare myself mentally for the interview, old wounds resurface. Emilia Rhodes' cruel laughter echoes in my mind, her sharp words cutting me down as Callum stood there, silent and ashamed to be associated with me. The bitterness of that memory fuels me, reminding me exactly why I despise her. But now, I'm willingly walking into her territory.

The Rhodes Company office is sleek and modern, exuding wealth and power. I step inside, feeling small and exposed. My hands tremble slightly as I clutch my bag tighter. I don’t belong here.

A sharp, professional voice breaks my thoughts. "Ms. Athena Prescott?"

I turn to see a tall woman in an immaculate gray suit. Her dark eyes assess me with thinly veiled scrutiny. "I’m Miranda Ellis, HR Director. Follow me."

Her tone is clipped, efficient, and something about the way she watches me makes my skin crawl. As we walk through the corridors, she speaks casually, but her words hold weight. "You should know, Ms. Prescott, Emilia personally approved the consideration of your application."

My stomach tightens. I keep my voice level. "How generous of her."

Miranda lets out a short, humorless chuckle. "Generous indeed."

We enter her office, and she gestures for me to sit. She lays out the job requirements with the same cold efficiency. "The position is demanding," she explains. "You'll be working closely with upper management, which means—"

"Which means I’ll likely cross paths with Emilia," I finish for her, my voice even.

Miranda smirks slightly, as if entertained by my awareness. "Exactly."

Then comes the offer—more money than I ever expected, enough to cover Ryan’s medical expenses and then some. It’s tempting. Too tempting. But there’s a catch.

"You’ll need to sign a strict non-disclosure agreement and a loyalty clause, binding you to the company for at least two years. No competing offers, no resignations without severe penalties."

I hesitate. This isn’t just a job; it’s a contract that chains me to the Rhodes Company. I glance at Miranda, searching for any hint of an ulterior motive.

Before I can speak, the door swings open.

Emilia Rhodes strides in, commanding the room with her presence. My breath catches. My heart pounds in my chest. She’ll see me. She’ll know.

But she walks past me without a flicker of recognition.

For a month, I dedicate myself to my work. I keep my head down, prove my worth, and earn quiet respect from my colleagues. Despite my fears, Emilia remains absent.

The next day I stood outside the hospital room, my heart heavy with unspoken fears. The fluorescent lights above cast a harsh glow on the white walls, amplifying the sterile scent of antiseptic that clung to my senses. I took a deep breath, steeling myself before pushing the door open.

Inside, the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor provided a steady but fragile reassurance. My younger brother, Ryan, lay on the hospital bed, his small frame swallowed by the crisp white sheets. His face was pale, his body too weak to move much, but his eyes brightened at the sight of me.

"Athena," he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Forcing a smile, I approached his bedside and took his frail hand in mine. "Hey, buddy. How are you feeling?"

Ryan tried to shrug, but the effort seemed too much for him. "Tired. But better now that you're here."

My mom sat in the corner of the room, her face lined with exhaustion. She had barely left Ryan’s side since he had been admitted. I turned to her, offering a reassuring nod. "Mom, have you eaten anything today?"

She shook her head. "I’m fine, sweetheart. I just... I can’t leave him. Not even for a second."

I reached into my bag and pulled out a container of homemade soup. "Then eat while you sit here. You need to take care of yourself too."

Maria hesitated, but the pleading look in my eyes made her sigh in surrender. "Alright."

Ryan watched us, his small smile faltering as worry flickered in his eyes. "Is everything okay? You’re not... stressed, are you?"

My heart clenched. He was too young to carry such concerns. I squeezed his hand gently. "Of course not. Everything is going to be alright. I promise."

His lips pressed together, unconvinced. "Mom says you took a new job. Is it good?"

I hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. "It’s a great job. It pays well, and I can make sure you get everything you need."

Ryan studied my face with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. "But you don’t like it."

I exhaled softly, brushing his hair back. "I like what it does for us. That’s what matters. I will do everything for you, Ryan. No matter what it takes."

Tears welled in his eyes, and he whispered, "I don’t want you to be unhappy because of me."

I felt my chest tighten. "Hey, don’t say that. You’re the reason I keep going. You’re my family. Nothing else matters."

Maria sniffled softly in the background, wiping away a tear. I turned to my mother, offering a small but firm smile. "We’ll get through this. Together."

Ryan blinked away his tears and nodded. "Together."

I stayed with him until he drifted off to sleep, his breathing even but weak. As I sat back in the chair beside his bed, exhaustion seeped into my bones, but I refused to let it take me. There was too much to fight for.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. A message from Lia.