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

Chapter 364: Disrupted Dinner II

Pleasantries were exchanged with the exact politeness expected at formal dinners.

Jonathan and Marianne— Cedric’s parents — stepped forward with plastered smiles, but their eyes said something else entirely.

Athena could feel them scan her boldly from head to toe, eyes flicking over her gown, her makeup, the way she sat. It wasn’t admiration. It was an audit.

"So," Mrs. Thorne started, her smile so tight it barely touched her eyes. "Still practicing medicine, dear?"

Athena nodded once, not betraying an inch of emotion. "Yes. I still see patients during the week."

Jonathan interjected, adjusting the edge of his silk cuff as a waiter placed a plate before him. "And you plan to keep doing that... while handling business?" His tone made it sound ridiculous, like asking if she planned to juggle knives and solve algebra equations at the same time.

"I believe I can do both," Athena replied, raising her glass for a slow sip. "But ultimately, it’s up to Grandfather. If he wills me the legacy, I’ll run it."

The table froze for a second. The moment had the weight of a prophecy.

A practiced chorus of congratulations followed, but the flatness of their voices gave them away. Cedric’s father blinked slowly, drawing in a controlled breath. His mind was elsewhere — she could feel it.

If it were up to me, she’d still be on the street, forgotten like a clerical error.

She talks about running an empire like it’s scheduling a manicure.

Doesn’t even know the sacrifices Cedric made. Or the way we shaped him for this...

Mrs. Thorne’s thoughts were no better.

She’ll ruin it all. A stranger, parading in as if she belongs...

What does she know of company politics? Of legacy? Of hosting foreign dignitaries?

She’s... capable, maybe, but she’s not one of us.

"We’d love for you to visit," Mrs. Thorne added, voice dripping sweet poison. "During the week, before the party to be exact. Just to catch up properly. It would be nice."

"I’ll think about it," Athena said with a smile so calm it cut.

Their silence, thick with disapproval, didn’t daunt her. She continued eating with perfect poise as another waiter swept in with wine and fresh bread.

Then came the stories — Cedric’s childhood, how old Mr. Thorne had taken him to board meetings as a boy, how he gave his first speech at sixteen. Jonathan spoke with forced humility, but there was a pointed gleam in his eye every time he said "groomed for leadership" or "naturally gifted."

Athena smiled at intervals. Calm, passive. Like a lioness sunbathing, watching monkeys chatter.

Antonio remained polite, quiet, his hand occasionally brushing hers under the table in silent encouragement. But Athena didn’t need encouragement. She needed restraint. Her every smile was measured.

Then came the dagger.

Mrs. Thorne leaned forward, tone light as whipped cream. "And your college years? I do remember the news that circled the socials a few months ago. You were called..." She gave a soft, pitying chuckle. "An illiterate street girl, was it?"

Antonio’s fork paused mid-air.

Athena didn’t blink. "You’re a bit too old, madam, to believe rumors."

The pause after her words was icy. Mrs. Thorne’s smile faltered just slightly — not enough for scandal, but enough to mark the wound.

conversation stumbled from then. Antonio tried to revive it, tossing in remarks

to her dessert, ignoring the menace thick in the air. She focused on the sugar crust cracking

his throat. "We have to leave,"

rose. Athena smiled — all teeth.

nods and careful glances

Antonio was not pleased.

her once they were alone, voice low but firm. "You didn’t have to be that

and smoothing her

happy to see them," he said, watching her. "You’ll be working

Athena answered simply, picking up her clutch. "Pretending would’ve been a waste of my energy. I’m heading

sighed, rubbing his

She stopped, waiting.

enough. "I’m sorry. You were right. They were out of line. I just... I

him for a moment. Then, slowly,

home in silence, but it

for the door to close before he began kissing her — soft at first, then deeper. His hands on her waist, his mouth

Athena’s mind was elsewhere. The kids.

catching. "I need

exhaled, frustrated, but didn’t protest. "I’ll

to the second bedroom and sat on the bed, pulling out her phone. She shouldn’t be calling this late — she’d told Nathaniel to always be in bed before midnight. But

The phone rang twice.

bleary-eyed but smiling. "Hey, Mom. You are calling

sorry sweetheart. Just had to hear your

the camera. "Sort of."

caught. Kate lay curled like a kitten; her tiny arm flung

asleep, shirt half-buttoned, her daughter’s dark curls on

asleep with her daughter on his chest, like it was the most natural thing

She will know that body shape anywhere, even in her

Daddy, Mom. Kate wouldn’t sleep till he read her a story.

speak for

me to send him

to bed,

Send my regards

And she air-kissed

The call ended.

directions again. She could feel the tension between her

slowly, walked back to

out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around

the moment

tired," Athena said

energy draining from

to the bed, slid under the sheets, back

a moment, then sighed and dropped the

press her. But the air between them — tight with disappointment — lingered

even in the darkness, Athena could see the image burned behind her eyes: Ewan’s sleeping form, and Kate breathing on

*****

for him

against it, shielding his eyes with trembling fingers. It had been so long since he’d seen anything but

wore a mask — blank, unreadable