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Athena felt a piercing pain in her heart, but she forced herself to remain calm. Pushing down the turmoil inside, she verified the flight information and hit the confirm button without wavering.
That task done, there was one last important thing to do.
Athena caught a taxi and headed to the Davidson family graveyard.
Her parents had been loyal workers for the Davidson household. In a tragic incident over ten years ago, they had given their lives to rescue Emmett from drowning. Their devotion had deeply touched Azrael Davidson, who honored them with a spot in the family cemetery and Jensured their orphaned daughter was raised with great care.
Athena set a bunch of chrysanthemums carefully on the grave, her quivering hands caressing the flowers as if seeking solace.
“Mom, Dad, you always told me Emmett was a good person, the only one in the Davidson family who would look after me,” she said softly, her voice breaking. “But why… why did he cause me the most pain?*
“He claimed he loved me more than anyone. So why did he betray me?”
“Mom, Dad, I’ve lost everything now.”
Her grief overtook her, and Athena collapsed, weeping uncontrollably in the quiet graveyard. She recalled the time after her parents‘ passing, when despair had overwhelmed her. Every night, she cried herself to sleep, her tiny body wracked by persistent fevers that no one could alleviate.
Emmett, consumed by remorse and anguish, stayed by Athena’s side each night, his words heavy with regret.
“I’m so sorry, Athena… It’s all because of me,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “Athena, please recover. You’re all that’s left of their family.”
“I’ll take care of you from now on, alright? You’re part of my family now.”
“My life is yours.
From that point on, Emmett became her guardian, her big brother, and she allowed herself to
trust him.
Then, in the warm days of early summer after graduation, he held her hand, vowing to give her a wonderful future.
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Initially, Athena believed him completely. She put all her faith in him.
But as time went on, Emmett started to change.
The first seeds of doubt were planted on the day she tried on her wedding gown.
In the car, Emmett declined numerous calls before finally switching off his phone entirely.
Flustered, he tried to explain it away. “It’s just my assistant, Athena. She’s been bothering me about trivial matters. I’ll set her straight when we return!”
Ever understanding, Athena reassured him with a gentle smile before going to try on the dress. A year earlier, Emmett had spared no expense in having the dress custom–made overseas. When Athena put it on, she looked the picture of elegance and innocence. But when she emerged from the changing room, Emmett was nowhere to be seen.
The area had been reserved just for them, leaving it strangely vacant. Unable to reach him, Athena wandered the building, her confusion growing with each step, until she turned a corner and stopped dead.
Not far away, Emmett was holding another woman’s hand, his tone pleading and submissive. The woman seemed upset, shrugging off his attempts to embrace her.
But Emmett persisted; he pulled her close and leaned in to kiss her. In the shadowy corner of the bridal shop, the pair were lost in their passion, unaware of their surroundings.
Athena watched in shocked silence, feeling as though the ground had disappeared beneath her feet. It was as if she had been thrust into a raging fire, her heart burning with an agony so intense it was unbearable.
The man who had once sworn to love her more than life itself was the one who had shattered her world.
Athena clutched her chest, struggling to breathe as tears clouded her vision and streamed down her face.
By the time Emmett returned, Athena had regained her composure. He didn’t notice anything amiss. Seeing her standing there, so beautiful, he was moved, approaching to embrace her tightly.
“Athena, you look stunning”
Emmett nuzzled her shoulder, his lips brushing her ear, his voice a low, enticing whisper. “My Athena is the most gorgeous bride. I want to make you mine, right here and now.”
As Athena gazed at their reflection in the mirror, her heart sank. The pain in her eyes matched the emptiness she felt within.
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