Chapter 397: A Heads-Up

"Mom, we are sorry that we forgot your birthday." Kathleen broke into Athena’s thoughts while she stared at the missed call from Herbert.

It was Thursday morning, a cold Thursday morning, as rain which had started sometime in the early hours of the morning was still pelting down on the roof, though in a lesser torrent.

"Kathleen, I forgot too. You don’t have to be hard on yourself." She spoke, dropping the phone on the bed with a faint sigh.

She had come into her children’s room to speak with them concerning her upcoming busy and lonely schedule, wanting to prepare them so that they wouldn’t be taken unawares by her absence, and Ewan’s presence which would be more than before.

They all sat on the bed, legs crossed, the twins facing Athena in such a way that they would form a triangle if dots were connected.

"Nathaniel, you too. This period has been a trying one for us all, and I will appreciate it if you let the guilt go. I am not in any way angry, neither do I fault you two in anything."

The twins exchanged glances and nodded slowly.

"Okay Mom. So, why are you in our room this morning...it seems you have something on your mind." Nathaniel observed, his eyes flicking to the wall clock before her. Just half past six.

Athena inhaled softly, clutching her hands together in her lap. "Something came up at work..." she started, meeting their gazes tenderly.

She knew they wouldn’t be pleased with what she was about to say, but there wasn’t a choice really. "A new virus will be released soon, and I have to work to avert it, or find a cure for it, like I did for the Grey Virus."

She watched them watch her, watched their eyes become laden with understanding—understanding and anger.

it the same

was asking about, so she nodded

her arms across her


like she had done something chaotic in her past life for her to be visited

do as before... work in my lab. And you know it takes a lot of my time. Aunt Gianna won’t be around, well not as before, considering the state of her work now, and I can’t burden her more than is necessary... Aunt Chelsea is also busy... so..." she paused, licking her lower

asking them to get used to an Ewan

then, reading his mother’s

time for

meanwhile, touching Nathaniel’s cheeks gently, her eyes softening. Even though she was saddled with chaos in this life, having these children of hers triumphed over

times though. Will you both

quickly. "Yes. I like him. He is a

what that statement did to her mother’s heart

away from her children lest they discovered the emotions splashing across

that I’ll be absent most

okay Mom, we understand that you are saving the world." The twins gave her

proud


proud of you two too. And I love you so much. So very much."

Uncle Herbert..." Kathleen muttered, having seen the name flashing on Athena’s phone

I am okay. I just need to figure out a way to deal with the new variant. Did

then, thank you

think." Kathleen noted, when

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