She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

Chapter 105

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Maria raised her hand to wipe her tears and smiled at Athena. "That day, I secretly swore that in this life. I would be a member of the Donovan family as long as I lived and a ghost of the Donovan family if I died." Athena nodded gently and used the towel to lightly wipe the tears from Maria's face.

Maria sniffled and said in a low voice, "I didn't intend to talk about my biological parents ever again.

"But you're Mom and Dad's biological daughter. You're their precious child. I don't want you to misunderstand or for anyone to sow discord between us in the future, so I think I should tell you this."

"Well, thank you for telling me this. Athena caressed her head again and said firmly, "Believe me, you're already grown up and can decide your fate."

"No one can control your life anymore. Don't feel hurt because of what happened in the past."

"Athena, you are just as nice as your adoptive parents and brothers." Maria sniffled again and smiled. "I have been thinking that I must live a very happy life to be worthy of the kindness your family has shown me." Athena nodded and looked at her. "Your feet must be numb by now, right? Can you get up?"

However, Maria shook her head. "There is one more thing I think I should tell you."

"Alright, go ahead," Athena said.

Maria glanced at the door and, after confirming it was closed, said in a low voice, Josie... is also adopted."

"I... begged our family to adopt her.

Athena was somewhat surprised, though not entirely caught off guard.

She had already suspected that Josie was not her parents' biological child, but she had not expected that there might be more to the story.

Maria sniffled in embarrassment. "You are so smart. You must have noticed Josie is not Mom and Dad's biological daughter

vacation, Maria performed poorly on her SATS, failing to

year, hoping

her teacher organized the students to volunteer at an orphanage.

was there that

a cardboard box at the

and to

the orphanage?" Maria's eyes grew wet again. "The little girl looked like two or three

Oct 12

Chapter 105

Athena sighed inwardly

this world

note inside the box

and her face was fair and clean. The person who raised her did not seem to lack money. I cannot understand why someone with means would abandon

and after a checkup, we discovered that she

that she had been abandoned. She did everything the adults asked of her. When no one cared for or played with her, she would carry her Hello Kitty doll and hide in a corner,

could not understand what she was singing, but

to me. Although she was not talkative and was shy around strangers, every time she saw me, it was as if

of myself when I was younger. I

this time, shedding more tears than when

listened silently, not interrupting her

made at home and run to the orphanage to see her." "When I was about

answer...

to bring her home, but... but the family had already adopted me. At that time, something had happened to the

She wondered, "Could this have been two years ago! Had my family fallen on hard

not let go of that child. I could not leave her in the orphanage, Maria said, struggling to control her emotions and prevent herself from crying. "School was about to start, and once it did, I could not visit the orphanage. L.. I fell ill... Her illness was quite severe. She had a fever

any medicine she took. Despite being barely conscious, she would crawl out of bed, crying and insisting on going to the

and had a lengthy discussion with