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The situation now seemed even more ludicrous.
Emmett had been prepared to sacrifice their entire bond for a deception, a preposterous and heartless falsehood. Athena found it impossible to excuse his actions, no matter how hard she tried.
She gazed at him, her expression icy, and found herself at a loss for words.
Without a backward glance, she embraced Eira, forcefully breaking free from Emmett’s grasp and moving ahead. Emmett’s eyes grew large, a frantic desire to pursue her welling up inside him, but then he was struck by a wave of queasiness. His abdomen cramped, sending sharp jolts of discomfort through his body.
“Athena… my belly is aching..”
His tone was feeble, barely audible, almost beseeching, anticipating that Athena would turn back, to tend to him as she once did. But she didn’t.
With Eira firmly in her embrace, Athena pressed on without hesitation. She never looked behind her.
On this occasion, Athena had journeyed back to her homeland with a single objective: to seek medical care for Eira. After the physician prescribed a month’s supply of conventional medication, Athena intended to take Eira to pay homage to her parents before returning to Finland.
Holding her daughter’s hand, Athena ascended the incline gradually, recounting to her parents everything that had transpired in the years since her departure.
She spoke of her’split from Emmett, the ultimate, irreversible farewell. She described her current life, with a daughter who meant everything to her. Just as she was preparing to leave with Eira, two individuals materialized behind her.
Before Athena could respond, Azrael, his eyes brimming with tears, approached her slowly. “Athena… you bear a striking resemblance to your grandfather
Athena observed the elderly figure of Mr. Davidson, pausing momentarily before moving to
assist him.
“Where have you been all this time?” Azrael’s voice, weathered by age, carried immense sorrow, and Athena felt tears welling up in her own eyes.
“After sending my parents back to Northpoint, I went overseas.”
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Azrael remained quiet for an extended moment, exhaling deeply. “The Davidson family owes your and your parents an apology,” he finally uttered, his words laden with remorse.
Athena smiled ruefully, her lips curling in a mixture of anguish and incredulity. “What purpose does that serve now?”
The quiet stretched between them, oppressive and unyielding. After a prolonged pause, Azrael spoke cautiously, his voice hesitant, “Emmett has already ended things with Aliana. Please, heed your grandfather’s advice and forgive him, won’t you?”
Athena’s reply was instantaneous, her voice sharp with resolve. “Not possible”
“For what reason?” Azrael’s brow furrowed, perplexed. “If you simply produce an heir for the Davidson family, everything will be yours. All of it, the entire estate!”
Emmett, standing off to the side, swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on Athena. His silence spoke volumes, but his eyes, hopeful and desperate, sought hers. Three years prior, he had betrayed her for the Davidson family’s fortune. But now, he’d offer it all to her without hesitation, even knowing she had a child with another. Surely, she would reconsider.
The Davidson family had thrived beyond all expectations. Their market worth had skyrocketed to over 10 billion. It was a lure few could withstand, but Athena remained unmoved.
Because Athena was no longer able to bear children.
After concealing the truth for so long, Athena felt the burden of her secret weighing heavily upon her. The time had come to reveal everything to them.
Taking a deep breath, she retrieved the report she had kept hidden for three years and presented it to them. “I suffered a miscarriage just before our wedding.
”
Azrael’s eyes widened in astonishment while Emmett’s face paled; disbelief was evident in every aspect of his expression.
He lunged forward, his eyes fixed on the report in his hands. “When did this’occur? How could I have been unaware of something so significant? Why didn’t you inform me?!”
Azrael’s face flushed with rage. His voice boomed in the silence, “You rascal! You’d better explain yourself this instant!”
“L… I had no idea… Emmett’s voice broke with panic, his grip on Athena tightening. He shook her gently, his voice quavering as he whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me? Why?!”
