Chapter 134

Athena gnashed her teeth, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned pale. Never before had Athena felt such murderous intent. The hatred was so intense that it threatened to consume her completely.

Only one thought remained in Athena’s mind: to avenge Macy.

I will make those who hurt Macy pay a thousand times over, Athena vowed inwardly.

Macy shook her head in terror, choking back sobs as she struggled to form words. "No—"

Macy was terrified, fearing Athena wouldn’t be able to stand against that person.

“Don’t be afraid, Macy,” Athena said firmly, gripping her shoulders, her eyes bloodshot with emotion. “I can protect myself now, and I swear I will avenge you. Tell me, who did this?”

Though a figure flashed through Athena’s mind, she wanted to hear Macy admit it herself.

Seeing Athena’s determined gaze, Macy hesitated, words trembling on her lips but left unspoken. Macy wondered anxiously: Can Miss Monson really protect herself?

Athena caught Macy’s anxious gaze and said reassuringly, “As Ferris’s future wife, no one would dare touch me.”

Ferris’s heart swelled with honeyed warmth as he heard Athena’s words.

Standing firmly behind Athena like her unwavering shield, Ferris gave Macy a decisive nod. “With me here,” he declared, “no one would dare harm her.”

Looking at the two of them, Macy laughed through her tears. Thank heavens, she thought to herself, overwhelmed with relief. At last, someone can protect Miss Monson.

Encouraged by Athena, Macy slowly and hesitantly nodded. But with her voice stolen, Macy could only tremble in frustration, beads of perspiration dotting her forehead.

Athena handed Macy a pen and some paper, saying gently, “You’ve learned to write before. If there’s something you can’t write, just draw a circle, okay?”

Tears streamed down Macy’s cheeks as she reached for the pen Athena handed her, but her fingers trembled. She winced in pain, and the pen slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor. Her hand had no strength left.

Seeing this, Athena understood and said gently to Macy, “There’s no rush. Just focus on getting better first.”

Now that we’ve found Macy, the truth can’t be far behind, Athena wondered.

Macy’s tendons were severed, but Athena was confident she could heal her. Athena said gently, “I will heal you. For now, stay here and focus on your recovery. I can’t take you back to the duke’s estate just yet.”

The duke’s estate was a devouring beast, and right now Macy had no way to protect herself. Athena knew she couldn’t keep an eye on Macy every moment, no matter how much she wanted to.

After much deliberation, Athena decided to have Ferris look after Macy. However, she wondered, “Would Ferris be willing?”

Athena looked at Ferris, who nodded gently and said, “Don’t worry, Athena, I’ll make sure Macy is well taken care of.”

Tears shimmered in Athena’s eyes as she gave Ferris a grateful look. Ferris gently placed his hand on her shoulder, and the two shared a quiet, understanding smile.

Macy watched their tender exchange and managed a faint, relieved smile.

“Rest up for now, and don’t go running around again, understand?” Athena said gently. “I’ll come to see you every day.”

Macy gave a weak nod and obediently settled back onto the bed.

As soon as Athena and Ferris stepped out, maids came in to attend to Macy.

Once they reached the outer chamber, Athena frowned and asked Ferris, “Can’t we find the traffickers who sold Macy?”

Ferris shook his head, visibly ashamed. “Aristocratic families operate with utmost secrecy. They never leave any trace behind. No one knows how many times she changed hands. Macy was probably sold out of town at first. Who would’ve thought, after all those twists and turns, she’d end up back here again?”

Athena’s heart ached all the more bitterly at these words. She covered her mouth with trembling hands, tears streaming down her face as she broke down in silent sobs.

“What’s wrong, Athena?” Ferris panicked at the sight of her distress. He tentatively drew Athena into his embrace. She collapsed against his chest, still sobbing uncontrollably.

Seeing Athena so heartbroken made Ferris’s heart ache. He gently murmured, “Hey, don’t cry. If something’s bothering you, just tell me, okay?”

Athena lifted her tear-streaked face, her voice coming out in ragged, broken gasps. “Actually, I think I might have seen Macy before.”

“What do you mean?” Ferris looked at her, confusion written all over his face. He gently wiped away Athena’s tears with a handkerchief.

Sobbing uncontrollably, Athena choked out between ragged breaths, “That night when we went to the lantern festival, on our way back, I saw Macy. Her hair was wild as she ran toward me, but I didn’t even recognize her.”

With each word, Athena thought it felt like a needle was stabbing her heart.

She was so close—if I’d just looked up, I would’ve seen Macy right there, Athena thought bitterly. But she missed it.

Athena felt a sharp stab through her chest, each one sharp with guilt and self-reproach.

How could I not recognize Macy after all these years she’s been with me? Athena thought, her heart aching with guilt.

Yet even in her disoriented state, Macy recognized Athena’s voice instantly. Athena’s heart twisted with guilt as she considered herself unworthy of being Macy’s mistress.

Ferris’s heart ached as he witnessed Athena’s anguish and self-reproach.

He gently pulled Athena into his arms, his eyes growing misty with tears. In a trembling voice, he murmured, “It’s not your fault, Athena. Don’t blame yourself.”

But Athena was consumed by guilt, unable to free herself. She would never be able to forgive herself.

It was a long time before her sobs finally subsided.

Athena raised her head, her eyes locking onto Ferris’s with unshakable resolve.

“Ferris, marry me. I want to be the McGee heir’s wife. I will have my revenge,” Tears streamed down Athena’s cheeks as she choked out. She laid bare all her ambitions to Ferris.

In this cutthroat world where power devours the weak, even as a master healer, Athena was no match for the aristocracy’s iron grip.

To protect herself, her friends, and her family, whatever it took, she had to climb the social ladder.

Athena knew how awkward this moment was. She hadn’t completely fallen for Ferris yet, but she vowed to herself that she would do her best to love him.

Ferris couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart. The once innocent, carefree girl he knew had been forced to become this hardened woman.

Ferris’s heart ached for Athena. He would give her his best, his all, unconditionally. If Athena wanted to climb, Ferris would help her climb even higher.

Ferris nodded firmly, tears glistening in his smiling eyes as he looked at Athena. “Yes, Athena, I will marry you.”

The truth was, Ferris had always wanted to marry Athena. The thought had always been there, buried deep in his heart, but Ferris had never voiced it out loud.

The dream was realized at last, if not in the way he’d imagined. But Ferris vowed never to release Athena’s hand again.

The carriage stopped before the duke’s estate. Ferris reluctantly held Athena’s hand, unwilling to let go. “Tomorrow,” he said softly, “I’ll come to formally propose.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting,” Athena said softly, standing at the doorway as she watched Ferris leave.

The rain had stopped and the wind had died down, but inside the carriage, Ferris frowned with concern. “The night air is chilly. Go on inside, Athena.”

Athena no longer hesitated. She gave him a gentle smile, then turned and entered the estate.

The butler hurried over as soon as he saw Athena return. “Lady Athena,” he said urgently. “We have found Matthew. He came back covered in mud and fainted from hunger. Would you like to go check on him?”

Athena didn’t break stride. “I’m no physician. Would my presence magically wake him up?”

Hearing this, the butler was momentarily taken aback and muttered under his breath, “But Lady Willow has already gone. I just thought you might want to go too.”

Trina shot the butler a look and rolled her eyes. “You’re overthinking it. Matthew never has a kind word for Lady Athena. Why would she even want to go near him?”

The butler froze in place, frowning as he mulled it over. “Well, she does have a point,” he admitted to himself. He was just being nosy.

Back in her room, Athena collapsed onto the bed, utterly exhausted.

That night, terror seized Athena in her sleep. In her nightmare, Athena saw Macy’s mouth full of blood, while Willow stood holding half a severed tongue, grinning hideously.