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.

me to marry him because I could whip up

back, "Now, don't go lying to the kid, You're the one

their lighthearted banter, filling the

watched her with growing affection, finding her utterly adorable-like a little hamster with her puffed cheeks, sparkly eyes, and constant munching. Every bite she took

set down her fork and spoon with a contented grin. "I'll take a break and

delighted to hear that. Claire

says it good enough to be sold in a restaurant, she said

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20:5

Wed, Oct 9 Chapter

I tell you more

the lemonade. Wesley continued, "Brandon, your second brother, is studying abroad. 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.

Kitmore City for a while, so he

face softened with relief. "Athena, you're so thoughtful. I'll pass on your message, and I'm sure it'll mean

then said, "Your third elder brother,

she could continue, Wesley's phone suddenly

want to miss anything important, so Wesley answered the call and

over the background noise. "Hello, are you Arthur Donovan's father? Arthur got into a fight with a security guard

wwwww

moving to the kitchen to avoid alarming Athena Where is he now? Is he hurt?" he

and the spoon and fork slipped from

tension in the room thickened as Wesley closed the kitchen door behind him, the warmth from moments before quickly replaced by a heavy sense of

plunged into a tense silence, and Claire's eyes darted around the room

from the sofa

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