Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours!

Chapter 166: Visiting Mr. Thorne V

"Would you like to take anything? Maybe coffee?" Florence asked, as Athena settled into one of the comfortable seats in the room, which the older woman had claimed was small, yet which was larger than Zack’s living room.

The room was a sanctuary of warmth and personality, adorned with an eclectic mix of furnishings that told stories of family gatherings and cherished moments.

A large library stand filled with books, some with worn spines and dog-eared pages, beckoned from the right side of the space. To the left stood a piano alongside a well-loved guitar, their seats inviting anyone who passed to take a seat and create music.

Everywhere Athena looked, she found elements of warmth: throw pillows scattered across the sofas in various colors, inviting visitors to sink into their softness; and projectors mounted on the walls, evidence of countless movie nights spent together as a family.

A box of toys rested at the far end of the room, overflowing with stuffed animals, building blocks, and board games, transforming the space into a true family room. It was a place where laughter could echo, where memories could blossom, and where joy held a permanent residence.

When Athena finally glanced up at the older woman to respond to the usual tea or coffee question, she noticed that Florence was looking around the room as if she didn’t live there.

"We wanted more children, Edward and I..." Florence began, picking up a delicate doll from the toy box, its porcelain features still bright with youthful innocence.

Holding the doll brought a flicker of nostalgia to Florence’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a shadow of sorrow. "We dreamed of a large family. We’ve always loved many children. But it seems the curse of Edward’s family wasn’t going to allow that to happen."

Athena frowned, intrigued and alarmed by the term "curse."

"Curse? What are you talking about? What curse?" She exclaimed, her eyes widening slightly.

Thoughts raced through her mind, and she prepared herself to spring into action, potentially whisking the children out of there if there was some sort of impending doom. But did things like that even exist?

Her frown deepened when Florence laughed lightly at her concern.

like that, dear. It’s just that Edward’s family has always been small. His ancestry tends to have one child, or at most two—if they’re lucky. Cedric is the only child of his father, who is also the only child of Edward’s sister." Florence paused, dropping

after Emily, but nothing seemed to work. It was

and Florence sighed as she sank into the chair

Emily would have many children since she married very early like her best friend. But then..." Florence’s voice cracked, and she sniffed,

up when she heard the woman’s silent sobs, instinctively moving closer.

the back gently, wishing to

end of her cloth. She

this moment, Athena noticed the similarities between them, especially the way Kathleen shared the same distinctive eye quality that sparkled with

the gift of your friendship to my husband," Florence said, her voice steadying just a little. "I’ve never seen him so happy since our daughter’s death. Thanks for letting the kids play with him sometimes. You

enjoy our friendship too. He feels like family now,"

with being adopted by us? I heard

jaw slackened, wide-eyed and speechless, the mere suggestion catching

broken by the entrance of Edward,

that, Florence..." He said, treating the atmosphere as if he were walking on

Cedric and Victoria followed behind Old Mr. Thorne and her children into the room, Athena noted the frowns on

air, and she was sure they had caught wind of Florence’s

sight of Victoria’s balled

Thorne wasn’t finished, however. "But, seeing as she has no parents, is it wrong to adopt her?" She asked Edward as

sofas, a tableau

Thorne swallowed hard, glancing at Athena, whom he

the time for that," He urged gently, but firmly, trying to steer the conversation away