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

Chapter 362: In Love?

The private dining room glowed with soft golden light, spilling from a chandelier shaped like a cluster of tiny blossoms. The table before Athena was set with crystal glasses and fine china, each plate rimmed with delicate gold. A vase of fresh orchids stood in the center, their fragrance faint but sweet, blending with the aroma of the dishes laid before them.

Gentle music floated in the background—a low, steady rhythm that wrapped the room in quiet romance.

Antonio had gone all out for this date. Maybe he was trying to wipe off the memory of the last one they’d had, the one where her mind had been in the clouds rather than on her boyfriend.

She mused on that with a soft smile, pleased that he had at least taken her complaints into account and had kept the paparazzi away. It would have put a stain on the evening; it was enough receiving congratulatory messages and looks from the citizens on her feed, her website—everywhere.

Even her colleagues, past and present, had thrown in their congratulations. Shawn had asked for his daughter to be one of the little flower girls at her wedding—she had sent him a sticker of an angry lady shooting at a disturbing male in return. And her old boss was still holding a little grudge; the media had made it seem like Antonio was her fiancé.

Seven minutes ago, the president himself had joined the parade. I hear congratulations are in order, Athena. Remember to send an invite. It would mean much to me and the state. As if she were at a level higher than the president.

As much as her companies worldwide had recorded an increase in sales—seeing as she had utilized the attention strategically—she wished for obscurity, just a little.

Now, in this moment, she took it all in. The beauty of this place she had heard of but had never taken the time to visit—mostly because she hadn’t had a partner. It wasn’t a place for business talks.

Her gaze wandered over the elegance before returning to Antonio, her man looking dashing in a navy-blue tuxedo. He sat across from her, relaxed but with that familiar glint in his eyes. She felt warm inside just looking at him.

Her cheeks blossomed red when he winked at her suggestively. Of course, he was still riding the high of the few hours they had spent together before preparing for the date.

He hadn’t expected her sudden visit. She hadn’t planned it either, but with Ewan bearing down on her earlier, she had taken the easy way out—needing to needle his emotions as he did to hers.

It had been worth it, she surmised, her thoughts drifting to the memories they had shared in his beautiful, homely apartment—to the heat of their make-out session on his couch. The smile on her lips widened, unknown to her.

It had started innocently enough—Antonio teasing her about losing in their little board game challenge. He’d leaned in to "congratulate" himself, his lips brushing hers in a playful, stolen way that made her breath hitch.

Then it had deepened—his hand warm against her cheek, his mouth claiming hers in slow, lingering kisses that left her melting into him. She remembered the soft scrape of his stubble against her skin, the weight of his arm pulling her closer until the world beyond his living room simply didn’t exist.

of his phone ringing, her bra had slipped off their

spa in the bathtub. She’d been bathing luxuriously in scented oils, preparing for the dinner date, when he had walked in naked—save for the bottle of wine in his hand and two glass

ungracefully when he slipped while trying to get

lounged side by side, sipping wine, talking

her there—like he was memorizing her—before he claimed her

of her marriage with Ewan. She believed her earlier unsettling about Antonio was only because of past trauma; she

contemplating whether they should damn the reservation at the best romantic restaurant in the city—they were late after all—and just spend

they had been with him? She wondered. No wonder they had fought over each other for his attention instead of fighting

didn’t notice Antonio leaning closer until the cool silver of a spoon brushed her lips. It held a bite of saffron-infused risotto studded with tender lobster—fragrant, creamy,

accepted it, savoring the taste

his hand reaching forward. Instead of a napkin, he

a word, he replaced his touch with the soft press

this was love, she argued against

deep, husky voice made

intimacy. Each couple present in their tent-like space

loved it. She

muttered, kissing his lips. "And I’m still hungry. You haven’t remedied

end, Antonio brought up another spoonful of food to her

feed myself. Just let me eat

the world, smiled and

"Antonio!" A weak protest.

you know how

response before she dug

"You love the food?"

spoonful finding home in her mouth. "Best I’ve

phone buzzed softly on the table. She glanced down to see a