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Athena’s eyes fixed on the message, her emotions in such turmoil that she lost her footing and fell down the staircase. The unborn child she had carried for weeks was lost, becoming a crimson tide that flowed from her body.
The pain of losing her baby was intensified by the incomplete nature of the miscarriage. In the stark hospital room, Athena remained motionless as cold tools removed what remained of her child. The remnants were disposed of, vanishing as if they had never been.
Upon regaining consciousness, her spirit was crushed, and with it, the wedding she had once anticipated.
Since Aliana’s reappearance, each action and whisper had been a new injury, cutting deeper into her soul. The affection she had once freely given to Emmett had been exhausted, leaving her feeling empty.
At the cemetery, time seemed to crawl, her limbs growing stiff from inactivity. Eventually, Athena dried her final tears and initiated the process to move her parents‘ remains.
“Mom, Dad, I’ll bring you home. We’ll be free from the Davidsons from now on.”
She joined the relocation team and spent five days isolated in her quiet, rural birthplace.
During this time, Emmett called repeatedly, his voice honeyed, inquiring about her whereabouts and reasons for not returning.
Initially, Athena responded with brief, dismissive words before ending the calls, but this time, Emmett prevented her from hanging up by initiating a video call.
“Athena, shall we make our wedding even grander?” Emmett’s smile was warm, his tone as
gentle as ever. “I can barely sleep, I’m so excited about marrying you soon.”
Athena forced a smile, tasting bitterness. She wanted to tell him to stop the charade.
After everything, wasn’t he weary of the endless deception?
But she couldn’t bring herself to say it. She had truly loved ‘Emmett all these years.
“Athena, why are you distracted again?” Emmett’s frown deepened, clearly annoyed. “Is something more captivating than me?”
Athena snapped back to reality, quickly focusing on Emmett’s face on the screen.
The setting behind him was unfamiliar, a place she didn’t recognize. It wasn’t their home. Athena paused before replying, “I’m in Skyridge, preparing a wedding surprise for you.”
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Emmett’s eyes brightened, his smile widening with pleasure.
Long ago, they had cuddled in bed, watching videos together.
Emmett had held Athena close, watching couples visit Skyridge to create matching household items, something they had vowed to do someday.
“Why did you go alone?” Emmett’s playful frustration was evident as the camera shook. He reached for his jacket, ready to leave.
“Hold on. I’m coming to Skyridge to find you!”
But Athena stopped him. “No need. I’ll return tomorrow.”
At Emmett’s words, Athena’s gaze intensified. He frowned deeply as if greatly wronged.
“You don’t want to see me?”
“No,” Athena replied coolly, barely moving her lips. “I just don’t want you to see the gift I’m preparing. It would ruin the surprise.”
Emmett’s expression softened slightly, a smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. “Alright,” he said, his voice tinged with arrogance. “I’ll let it go… this time.”
Blowing a kiss at the screen, he added, “I’ll be waiting for your surprise.”
Athena gave him a faint, enigmatic smile. Without changing her expression, she signed the immigration application form. She hoped, for Emmett’s sake, that this surprise would be enough to shatter any illusions he had about their future.
Afterward, she returned to Ravenloch..
She had already submitted the necessary documents to the agency and paid for expedited processing.
The agency’s response came quickly, confirming that she could cancel her U.S. residency. They would arrange a new identity for her abroad
including permanent residency rights.
If she wished, the entire process could be completed within three days.
Three days; that would have been their wedding date.
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