23 23#23
23
In times past, whenever he found himself in an alcohol–induced fog, Athena would invariably be there. She’d tenderly prepare a restorative broth, assist him in changing his attire, plant a gentle kiss on his brow, and murmur a soft goodnight.
Those days, however, were now a thing of the past..
“I’ll track you down… Athena, don’t you dare think about abandoning me.”
Just as his thoughts began to spiral, Aliana’s voice pierced through the quiet with a phone call. “Emmett, our child will arrive in a matter of months. When are we going to tie the knot?” Emmett massaged his pounding temples, the inquiry barely eliciting any reaction from him. “We’ll discuss it another time.
“Athena’s vanished; how much more time do you need to look for her?”
“Have you forgotten that you once claimed I was your most cherished person? You and Athena were merely stepping stones to wed me, weren’t you?”
Her words reverberated in his mind, momentarily transporting him back to his initial objective: gaining control of the Davidson family’s influence and a life with Aliana.
Yet why did his heart still ache so intensely?
“Let’s hold off a bit longer… Emmett answered, his tone guarded, as if concealing something. “Grandpa hasn’t fully yielded yet. Once I locate Athena and resolve matters at home, we’ll talk” He ended the call before Aliana could reply, a flicker of disquiet in his chest.
The time without Athena had felt interminable. He couldn’t stop revisiting their shared moments, pondering how, despite his caution, Athena had uncovered his infidelity,
Emmett’s brow creased as fragments of forgotten instances swirled in his mind.
A sudden realization struck him, and he promptly dialed his assistant,
*Investigate whether Aliana has been in touch with Athena,
After hanging up, Emmett gazed out the window, lost in contemplation.
‘Athena… you truly are remarkable. But don’t fret. No matter where you go, I will find you!
While Emmett obsessed over her, Athena was enjoying a tranquil existence far away in Finland. During a meal with an American pair, they couldn’t help but comment on Eira.
23 23#23
“Athena, bringing up Eira on your own… isn’t that challenging? Don’t you want to find a partner to assist you?”
The couple, who had chosen not to have children, looked at Eira with tender eyes, their hearts warming to the sight of the little girl. Upon learning Athena was a single mother, their sympathy deepened.
Athena took a small sip of the homemade wine, relishing the warmth it spread through her chest. “Eira is all I need,” she said, her voice gentle yet resolute.
The husband frowned, his worry evident. “You’re still so young. Raising a child alone in Finland won’t be simple.”
“And her education… Finland’s climate is harsh, especially for someone from our country.”
“We’ll see how it goes.
She had already considered everything they were saying, but their words echoed the concerns others had raised. Recently, as she devoted herself entirely to caring for Eira, people had been eager to match her with someone.
Athena had declined every suggestion, but she couldn’t prevent her friends in Finland from worrying about her. They saw only her youth and beauty, forgetting the resilience she had developed in silence.
Though difficult to admit, Athena still hadn’t fully recovered from the emotional trauma Emmett had inflicted. After all, during those times, she had genuinely loved him.
The couple sensed her inner conflict and wisely changed the subject. Instead, they sipped their homemade wine and casually discussed various topics, avoiding the theme of lifelong commitments.
The New Year was approaching, and in previous years, she and Emmett would have been engrossed in planning their home’s decor, debating even the placement of a single potted plant. Those hours spent together, meticulously planning every detail now seemed like a distant
