Chapter 121: Christmas Morning

Athena was so ensnared by the comforting embrace of sleep that the initial tugging at her ears barely registered.

But as the intermittent tugs grew more insistent—sharp taps on various parts of her body that blurred in the haze of slumber—she found herself reluctantly untangling from the hypnotic pull of sleep.

"Who’s there?" She murmured groggily, her right hand groping around the space as her eyes remained clasped shut.

A familiar sound broke through the fog, a whisper that sent a spark of recognition to her mind.

"Mom!"

That must surely be Kate, she thought, furrowing her brow in confusion. It couldn’t be five p.m yet, the time for the Christmas play. So what’s going on?

Suddenly alert, her eyes flew open at the thought, only to narrow in disbelief when she spotted her children, along with Gianna, sporting gleeful, sheepish grins.

"What the hell is goi—"

"Merry Christmas, Mom!"

"Merry Christmas, Athena!"

The twins and Gianna chimed in unison, bouncing on their heels like colorful rubber balls. The jubilance in their voices was so exuberant that it almost made her wince and cover her ears.

Athena opened her mouth to scold them for waking her up, but the sheer joy radiating from her children rendered her voice still. Instead, she grimaced and sat up, confusion swirling within her.

her? She blamed their current prestigious school for this

even help but feel warm at the

to say something back..." Kate insisted, impatience

Athena thought, huffing to the amusement of her friend and kids. "Merry Christmas to you too..."

so much to show

from their doorpost—an unmistakable sign of holiday cheer

her kids, their excitement bubbling over, her eyes silently

she could fathom Gianna being up and about,

when certain matters weren’t adding up, when the people under her, having down their best, still didn’t have a connecting rope to

be getting nowhere either, she had involved them, knowing it was what they would have wanted. Probably why she had

been worth it. She has never being so

before skipping after

the numerous Christmas decorations to shimmer and glow like so many stars. Colors danced across the walls,

When she finally stepped

transformed

dominated the corner, its branches sagging gently under the weight of glistening ornaments and garlands that seemed to sing of joy. Sparkling twinkling lights snaked lovingly around it, casting a rainbow of hues across the room, while the golden star perched on top shone like a bright

gifts—colorful wrappings reflecting the morning light, names scrawled on tags that promised surprise and delight. Sweet-smelling candles

tears rise as memories surged like an unstoppable tide. This was magic—magic that reminded her of the

and laughter of those bygone days. The scent of cookies enveloped her, sending her into a

Athena’s gaze locked onto her

add a touch." Gianna whispered softly, as if the admission

on the table. A

she lifted it to her mouth, she could feel the tension in the room thicken, a blend of excitement and uncertainty, mingling in the air. The children had baked these with her friend. She had no

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255