Ennis was taken aback.

But he soon smiled gently, "Alright, I'll be there at nine a.m. tomorrow. Get some rest tonight."

Byron didn't look at Ennis and remained silent.

He picked up the letter Athena had written and read it carefully.

After a while, Ennis left the research institute.

He spotted Athena's car parked across the street.

Ennis thought for a moment and then approached it.

He tapped lightly on the car window.

After a brief moment, the car door opened, and Athena stepped out.

Her eyes were red, clearly indicating she had been crying.

She must have seen Byron's and his conversation through the app.

"We'll start the treatment tomorrow." Ennis spoke softly, "If you're comfortable, you can watch from the observation room." Athena cleared her throat.

She shook her head. "I have tons of work waiting for me back home. If I don't return soon, my son and daughter will create a ruckus."

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of him." Ennis assured Athena with a gentle yet firm tone.

"Ennis." Athena looked up, her beautiful eyes calm. "Mr. Freed's psychological research institute isn't just your life's work. It's your father's legacy." "Yes," Ennis agreed.

"I can also create some trouble as a patient's relative." Athena said with a hint of sarcasm, "I won't tell you when I'll visit, so if anything seems off with Byron next time..." She didn't finish her sentence, but Ennis understood her implication.

He chuckled helplessly and nodded. "I understand."

Athena glanced at the building, dimly lit in the twilight.

With her fists clenched, she quickly got back into her car and sped away.

Ennis stood there, deep in thought.

He recalled how, back in the day, when Xaviera was supporting Larry during his treatment, her mental state had also suffered. Ennis had read those therapy records. It made him wonder.

If Xaviera had been as strong-willed as Athena, would the outcome for Larry and Xaviera have been different?

A cold wind blew, sweeping the fallen sycamore leaves all around.

For years, Rebecca had looked after Ennis' every need.

Now that she was gone, he couldn't even gauge the appropriate clothing for the weather.

Clearly, he had underdressed for the day.

Most of the time, Ennis biked to and from work since he lived nearby.

Today was no exception.

Braving the cold, Ennis faded into the distance.

When Athena got back to her hotel, she took a shower.

Then, she packed her bags and left for the airport with Logan and a few others.

Though she no longer harbored any doubts about Ennis, she still stationed a dozen or so men near the institute.

The idea was if she noticed anything amiss through the surveillance or if the feed went dark, these men could intervene immediately.

Before took off, Athena looked out the airplane window.

A heavy weight seemed to press on her chest.

Throughout the long flight, Athena drifted in and out of sleep.

Oddly, her dreams were filled either with Larry or Xaviera.

She finally fell into a deep sleep, waking up only upon landing, when Logan nudged her awake.

"Athena, your forehead is burning up. You have a fever!" Logan said, his face lined with concern.

Athena touched her forehead.

Indeed.

"I must've caught a cold. Don't make a big deal out of it." Athena straightened up. "There's a car waiting for you at the airport exit. You won't need to go back to Lakin. Your luggage and equipment are already in the car. Head straight to Mrs. Suzy Timberlake's place."

"What?" Logan, who had been engrossed in his documents throughout the flight, was taken by surprise.

"What's so surprising?" Athena queried Logan.

"Okay, got it." Logan quickly nodded.

Upon exiting the plane, Logan pulled Mike aside. "Mike, Athena's running a slight fever. When you guys get back, remember to get her some medicine." Mike readily agreed.

Yet, Logan remained worried, constantly nagging Athena every step of the way, until she was finally so annoyed that she shoved him into the car.

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