"Leon, where are you?"
Athena's voice trembled as she pressed the call button on her phone. Her fifth call in the past hour had been met with nothing but the cold sound of a ringing tone. Worry gnawed at her, making her bite her lower lip, especially after her mother had called from the hospital, weakly repeating her husband's name.
"Mrs. Athena? Excuse me, but shall we leave now? Perhaps Mr. Leon is still stuck on the city's access road?" Edward, her assistant, suddenly approached, nearly causing the wineglass in her tightly gripped hand to slip.
"I can't calm down until I see my husband, Ed. He promised to be with me, and my mother's call earlier... What if he's in some kind of trouble right now?" Athena sighed heavily, the finest goose feathers adorning her wide-brimmed hat shifting slightly with her breath.
"But, ma'am—"
"The businessman hosting this event is one of Leon’s new associates, Ed. It would be better for me to arrive with him and avoid questions from the reporters that will only give me a headache."
"All right, ma'am. How about delaying your departure for another ten minutes? I'll notify the event organizers of the change."
Nodding, Athena let her assistant leave. With her fingers clad in white mesh gloves, she reached for her phone again. She intended to call her husband once more but was distracted by a notification that shattered her heart.
"Impossible! How could they be together?!"
Camera flashes alternated, illuminating Athena's beautiful face as she stepped out of a black limousine. The clicking of cameras grew louder as she walked down the red carpet, forcing a fake smile and a soft wave from her delicate fingers.
Who didn't know Athena Rose Waverly? In addition to being a talented pianist, her last name alone revealed her to be the daughter of a renowned business mogul. Born into fame, her name echoed across the nation, especially after her marriage to Leon Alexander Thorne, a man coveted by many women.
"Mrs. Athena? You've arrived alone at tonight's party? Where is Mr. Leon? Weren't you both listed together this evening?"
"Yes, Mrs. Athena. Where is your husband? Could the rumors be true? Is your marriage on the rocks after less than a year?"
"So the photos circulating on social media are real, Mrs. Athena? Your husband is having an affair with your best friend? Is this the worst birthday gift you've ever received, Mrs. Athena?"
Forcing another smile, Athena continued walking, ignoring the reporters swarming her. Her dazzling evening gown reflected the light from the crystal chandeliers, making her appear mesmerizing to everyone present, though beneath her graceful smile lay a turmoil she couldn't dispel.
"Mrs. Athena, it's time. Everyone is eagerly awaiting your piano performance," Edward whispered, snapping her out of her reverie.
"All right. Don't forget to signal me if my husband arrives." Athena tried to remain positive, but before heading to the stage, she turned to look at the man behind her with a slightly quivering gaze. "Do you think... I haven't been a perfect wife for Leon?"
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
"Ah, it's nothing. I... I'm just nervous!" She shook her head, ending the conversation with a smile. For the first time, she felt unsure of herself. But despite her doubts, she resolved to deliver her best performance that night.
"Great! It feels like I'm about to play the soundtrack to my downfall!"
With her mask of composure firmly in place, Athena waved to the guests. She forced herself to banish the haunting image of her husband's intimate photo with her best friend, captivating everyone with her performance, including someone watching her from afar.
"Perfect! Give it your all tonight, darling. Enjoy this moment while you can, for tonight marks your ruin!"
Applause and cheers erupted as Athena's music bewitched the audience. She delivered the climax of her piece masterfully, channeling her shattered emotions into the melody.
"Mrs. Athena? The host of the event and the Mayor would like to speak with you. They seem deeply impressed by your performance tonight," Edward said, approaching with a drink in hand.
"How can I socialize when my mind and heart are in utter chaos, Ed?" Athena quickly wiped away a tear before accepting the drink. "Please find an excuse for me. Tell them I'll speak with them another time."
"Understood, ma'am. I'll let them know. Please wait here for a moment, and then—"
"I want to leave on my own. Give me your car keys; I'll use the back gate to avoid the reporters. Apologize to everyone on my behalf for leaving early."
Without further ado, Athena downed the drink Edward had handed her. She frowned slightly at its odd taste but dismissed the feeling, unaware of the looming danger.
"Mr. Leon, Mrs. Athena has left the event as predicted!"
Oblivious to the conversation behind her, Athena continued walking away. Though the back gate was still busy, it offered respite from the reporters who stirred her childhood trauma—especially now, with Leon's rumored affair circulating widely.
"How could Leon and Crystal have been carrying on behind my back? I... I can't believe they'd do this to me," Athena muttered, gripping the steering wheel tightly as she drove.
The quiet of the night road gave her the freedom to accelerate. She pushed Edward's car to its limit under the dim glow of the streetlights. Her hands trembled on the wheel, her mind consumed by the photos of her husband and best friend at a hotel.
[They look so intimate. Are you sure they're just friends?]
The text from an unknown number echoed in her head. Athena's headache worsened. Finally, the tears she'd held back spilled freely, leaving her sobbing as pain tore through her heart.
"How could you do this to me, Leon? I love you so much, but why did you betray me like this?!"
The storm of emotions caused her head to throb. Her vision darkened as she reflexively swerved the car, sending it skidding. A deafening crash reverberated as sparks flew.
"This is your downfall, Athena!"