She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

Chapter 9

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After polishing off two bowls of rich, cr****my radish soup. Athena put down her spoon and said earnestly, "Mom, Dad, I know some top-notch doctors. Once you decide on a time, let me know, and I'll arrange for a car to pick them up. I'll also have my friend who's a doctor take a look at them. "And I don't worry about the costs. The hospital allows us to defer payments over five or ten years."

Wesley and Claire exchanged glances, both surprised and overjoyed. "Thank you so much, Athena. Youre truly a blessing to our family." Wesley said, his voice full of gratitude.. Athena beamed,

ned, her heart warming at the sight of her parents' happiness. She returned to her meal, savoring the deep satisfaction of being able to help them.

Overjoyed by Athena's obvious enjoyment, Claire kept piling more food onto her plate. "Here, have some more," she urged, her eyes twinkling with motherly pride.

Not wanting to be outdone, Wesley grabbed the serving spoon and placed an empty plate in front of Athena. Try these, too! I made the chicken pot pies, shrimp, and macaroni and cheese, he said enthusiastically. happily ate everything that was offered, feeling like a contented cat as she relished each bite. The dishes were exceptionally fresh, and the fish she tried had such a rich flavor it reminded her of farm-to-table cooking. Not to be outshined in the kitchen, Claire chimed in, "Athena, I made the baked fish, seafood chowder, casserole, and salad. So, tell me, who's the better cook, your dad or me?"

Athena

While most people might offer a polite response. Athena, being straightforward as always, thought for a moment before replying. Td give Dad's cooking a perfect score.

Wesley chuckled

ckled and shot Claire a playful wink,

Claire, momentarily deflated, pouted a little as if her cooking skills had been found lacking.

But then Athena grinned and added, "And Mom's cooking? That gets an extra twenty bonus points."

Claire's face instantly lit y lit up, her pride and joy making her look years younger as she smiled broadly.

"Then eat more!" Claire insisted, eagerly spooning more food onto Athena's plate. "As long as you want, I'll cook for you every day. And if there's something I don't know how to make, I'll learn.

begged me to marry him because I could whip up a killer pasta salad and crab

pretending to be stern, shot back, "Now, don't go lying to the kid, You're the one who fell for me and started cooking for me

but smile at their lighthearted banter, filling the room

puffed cheeks, sparkly eyes, and constant munching. Every

her fork and spoon with a contented grin. "I'll take a break and eat more later, she said,

Claire were delighted to hear that. Claire quickly brought her

myself-my secret recipe. Everyone says it good enough to be sold in a restaurant, she said

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Oct 9 Chapter

it while I tell you

He's been covering all his expenses with scholarships and part-time jobs. We haven't sent him a cent, but he still manages to send us a little. money each month." Wesley's expression flickered between pride and guilt as he went on, "He really wanted to visit you, but he's been saving up for a plane ticket. He wouldn't even let us help with the cost-he insisted on paying

smiled warmly. "Please let him know I'll be in Kitmore City for

"Athena, you're so thoughtful. I'll pass on your message, and I'm sure it'll mean the world.

"Your third elder brother, Harry, is in

Wesley's phone suddenly rang,

to miss anything important, so Wesley answered the call and put it

other end was frantic, barely audible over the background noise. "Hello, are you Arthur Donovan's father? Arthur got

wwwww

from his seat, quickly moving to the kitchen to avoid alarming Athena

faded, and the spoon and fork slipped from her

closed the kitchen door behind him, the warmth

living room plunged into a tense silence, and Claire's eyes

the sofa and handed it to

quickly picked up tried to dial a number. She pressed the phone to her ear, but the line was busy. Her face grew paler with each failed attempt,