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

Chapter 421: Gestures

The shrill sound of Athena’s alarm broke through the quiet hum of the lab.

She blinked, disoriented, and for a moment thought it couldn’t possibly be morning yet. But the digits on her phone confirmed it—5:30 a.m.

Already?

Her back ached when she straightened from the stool she had been hunched over, her fingers brushing across the scattered notes she had filled through the night. Charts, calculations, scribbled hypotheses—all the restless markings of a mind reluctant to yield.

She let her gaze sweep over them, and a flicker of relief warmed her chest. She was closer to a cure today than she had been yesterday, and that was enough. Progress, no matter how slow, was still progress.

She pressed her hand to the base of her neck, rolling the stiffness out. Less tired than before, though a dull pain lingered behind her eyes and along her spine. It was the kind of ache that came from pushing too long, too hard, but she brushed it off.

With deliberate slowness, she pushed away from the desk, stepping out of the heavy atmosphere of chemicals and into the adjoining kitchen.

The sound of running water grounded her as she washed her hands, the coolness offering temporary comfort. She splashed a little on her face, dabbing away the thin sheen of fatigue.

For a second, she simply stood there, leaning her weight against the counter, staring at her reflection in the darkened window. She had been working since she left Ewan in the sitting room hours ago. Was he still waiting?

A quiet sigh escaped her lips as memories of the previous day spilled back. At least her secretary and the woman’s family were safe—that was one victory she could claim. As for the evil twins, they would face their reckoning in time.

However, her thoughts snagged painfully on the image of Cairo, the child who hadn’t deserved any of it. For her, the pity was sharp and unbearable.

a handful of crucial notes to tuck into her bag. She promised herself she’d rest once she got home, at least a few hours before the evening’s party. Her grandmother would notice if she appeared worn down, and Athena had no desire to spark alarm or

on the counter.

her phone during the night—the barrage of messages had been unrelenting.

remorse, spilling out words as though the faster he spoke, the more sincere they

sorry Athena... I wasn’t

listening,

else could she do? Holding onto resentment was another weight she

returned to the sitting room,

Ewan was still there.

frame folded into an awkward position that couldn’t

conflicted emotions rising within her chest. He had stayed, even when he could have gone home, even when she hadn’t asked him to.

taking in the sight of the cleared room—the dishes from their meal

lines of exhaustion

make my heart feel heavier than all

reached out and tapped his shoulder

He ruffled his hair with one hand, straightening quickly, trying to mask the discomfort in his joints as he

you done?" His voice was rough with

Athena nodded.

"Then let’s go home."

form a reply, Ewan was already picking up her bag, slinging it over his shoulder with ease. She