immediately. The flicker of resentment in her gaze was unmistakable as she glared at Athena.
Her gaze flickered between Emmett and Aliana before she finally spoke, her tone icy but polite. “I hear you’re about to marry soon. Congratulations, Miss Forbes.”
Athena, holding Emmett’s hand firmly, gave a smile that could have melted ice. “Since you two are old friends, I won’t question your relationship.” she said, her voice sugar–sweet. “But let’s do this: when Miss Forbes’s wedding arrives, I’ll gladly attend. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure to bring a very generous red envelope.”
As Athena spoke, she noticed the uncomfortable shift in Emmett’s expression; his face flushed with awkwardness, but she pretended not to notice. With a steady smile, she met both their gazes as if the tension was merely a breeze.!!
Aliana, of course, recognized the sarcasm immediately, but her smile only widened as though she didn’t mind a bit. “You’re more than welcome to attend,” she said with an almost gloating air. “My fiancé has gone all out. The wedding dress is being custom–designed. we’ve hired makeup artists from world–renowned brands, and because I love lily–of–the–valley, he’s even rented an entire farm to provide fresh blooms for the ceremony”
Athena listened to Aliana’s sweet words, but all she felt was an emptiness deep inside her
She had been the one who meticulously planned every detail of her own wedding. Emmett was always “busy,” a convenient excuse. And whenever Athena expressed frustration, he would soothe her with words that seemed perfect at the time.
“You’re the bride, Athena; everything should be about what you love. If you love it, I’ll love it too.”
But now, as the reality of the situation settled in, it became painfully clear. He wasn’t busy, he simply didn’t care.
331 PM ₫ D
“The exact date of the wedding hasn’t been set yet. He still has to deal with the woman his family insists on, but he promised that once that’s out of the way, he’ll marry me and make me the happiest bride.”
Athena couldn’t even muster the strength for a fake smile. She stood there, frozen, until Emmett finally noticed the change in her demeanor His attention shifted, and he hurriedly cut off Aliana’s words.
“Don’t you have work soon? Shouldn’t you be leaving?”
Aliana’s expression shifted, a cold snort escaping her lips before she walked into the bathroom. As she passed by Athena, she didn’t miss the chance to mock
“Don’t worry, Ms. Athena. Not everyone expresses love the same way. My fiance, for instance, loves me so deeply that he’s willing to pour all his time and money into me.”
With that, Aliana stormed out, leaving the two of them in an uncomfortable silence.!!
Emmett, clearly flustered, reached for Athena’s hand and kissed it gently, his voice filled with urgency.
“Athena, let me explain..
“There’s no need.” Athena interrupted, her voice calm yet distantl
“Everyone expresses love differently, I understand,” she continued, her eyes never leaving his. “I know you’re busy, so you don’t have time
for me. But I also know.”
Athena’s words faltered as the weight of her emotions hit her. She paused, swallowing the pain, before finishing quietly. “I know you love me.”
“Unfortunately, you just love her more
She didn’t voice the thought, though it gnawed at her insides. As he
cheeks.”
gaze lingered on Emmett’s face, tears slipped silently down her
Seeing the tears, Emmett pulled her into his arms, the familiar gesture of comfort as he whispered soothingly. “Once we’re married.”
A fleeting shadow crossed Emmett’s eyes. “Once we’re manied, everything will get better”
Will it really, Emmett?
The question echoed in Athena’s heart, though she kept it to herself. She’d given him so many chances, lived in the illusion he’d crafted for years
But this time, she would no longer believe in his love.”
The night before the wedding, the agent had sent all the documents electronically to Athena 8
At that moment.Emmett held her from behind, his voice persistent as he teased about having a child together. He was insistent it had to be a boy.
When Athene saw the notification of foreign text flashing on the screen, Emmett furrowed his brow. “What’s this?”
Athena, with practiced calm, turned off the screen and casually replied, “A few foreign poems. I’m preparing my wedding vows for tomorrow“.
Emmett, hearing her words, relaxed at once, his grip tightening as he pulled her into his arms with a soft smile. “Wife, you really love me, don’t you?”
He lifted her gently, laying her on the bed, his eyes gleaming as he leaned over her. “From now on, you have to keep loving me like this, okay?”
Athena’s gaze lingered on him, and with a teasing smile, she asked, “What i
“You won’t,” he murmured, kissing her eyelids tenderly
if I fall out of love?”
“Neither will I,” he added, his voice lowering. “Remember what we said before: whoever falls out of love first will be str
Athena let out a soft laugh, the sound like music in the quiet room.
For the first time, she reached up and gently ruffled his hair her touch tender. “Yes, struck by lightning.”
be struck by lightning”
For some reason, Emmett felt a stirring unease, an instinctive sense that Athena had uncovered something, something he had hoped she wouldn’t
But it didn’t n
matter, not anymore. He only had to endure a little longer!!
Once they were married, Aliana’s baby arrived, and he could bring the child home and pass it off as his and Athena’s. After securing the Davidson family’s legacy, everything would fall into place. He could do whatever he wanted, no longer tethered to this charade.
Yet, in that moment, a strange pang of heartache tugged at him
The silence stretched between them as they lay side by side, closer than ever yet worlds apart in their thoughts. Neither spoke, both wrapped in their own worlds, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on them!!
Just as sleep threatened to take over, Emmett’s phone rang, the sound sharp in the stillness of the night. He hurriedly left, his footsteps echoing in the quiet
In the dark, Athena’s eyes flickered open, her gaze following his retreating “Emmett, where are you going?” she asked.”
