Chapter 62
After returning to Snowdrop Wing, Athena remained unsettled. For some reason, the desperate cries of that woman kept echoing in her mind. She sat there, lost in thought, motionless for two full hours.
Trina brought over a cup of hot drink, placed it beside her, and said softly, “Miss, have some calming drink.”
Athena murmured, seeming momentarily dazed. It had been ages since she last drank this, back at the Monson family. She used to have it often. As a child, she suffered frequent abuse and was often haunted by nightmares. Lloise would order the servants to brew this drink for her, but each time, she barely had a moment to sit before hurrying off to care for Willow, whose health was delicate.
Seeing the drink again, Athena felt a bit dazed.
“Why did you make this for me?” Athena asked.
Trina replied nervously, “You nearly fell into the river today. I thought you must have been frightened and needed something to calm your nerves.”
At this, Trina grew flustered. “If you don’t like it, I won’t make such decisions on my own again.” As she moved to take the tea away, Athena gently held her arm. “No, I really like it.” She gave Trina the faintest, almost imperceptible smile, then took the cup and sipped the tea slowly.
The drink was hot, and as it slid down, its warmth seemed to melt the ice in Athena’s chilled heart. Even her maid knew to care for her, while those so-called family members only ever blamed and used her. Her heart was a swirl of emotions. Looking at this cold “home,” she steeled her resolve to leave this place.
The next day, Athena went to visit Margaret. After a period of treatment, Margaret’s health had gradually stabilized. She no longer looked frail and sickly; her cheeks were rosy and glowing. When Athena arrived, Margaret was playing with a white Pekingese. The dog, round and white like a snowball, crouched at her feet.
It kept pawing at her trouser leg, making Margaret burst into hearty laughter. She picked up a piece of jerky treat and fed it to the dog, saying, “Lucky, here’s some jerky for you.”
After getting the treat, the puppy even performed a little begging pose for Margaret, making her laugh so much she could hardly close her mouth. Seeing how well Margaret had recovered, Athena couldn’t help but smile as well. Her eyes crinkled like crescent moons, and shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks, making her look just as she always had.
“Athena, you’re here.” Margaret beckoned her over. Athena walked up and settled beside her, asking curiously, “Where did this little puppy come from?”
Margaret chuckled. “That Osborne boy sent it to cheer me up. He’s quite thoughtful.”
So it was Michael who sent it. Athena’s smile dimmed slightly. Noticing her reaction, Margaret gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and said teasingly, “I heard you two went out together yesterday?” When they were children, Michael had practically grown up at the Monson family, eating and sleeping alongside Athena and Willow here. Margaret had long regarded him as her own grandson. She had watched Michael grow up, and naturally, he saw Margaret as his grandmother too.
Athena felt a wave of gratitude that he would find something to cheer up Margaret. “At least, when I leave, she won’t be alone,” Athena thought.
Not wanting to upset Margaret, Athena nodded and said, “I was with Mr. McGee, along with others.” By “others,” she was referring to Michael, Willow, and Nicolas.
Margaret watched as Athena’s face grew increasingly forlorn, and said with regret, “I always thought you two would end up together. Who would have thought he’d marry Willow instead.”
Athena thought for a moment, then understood. “So the Monson and Osborne families are finally arranging an engagement.” The bride, of course, could only be Willow.
Margaret nodded with a smile. “Your mother came by this morning. In a couple of days, the Osborne family will come to propose.” As she spoke, she kept her eyes fixed on Athena’s face. She was afraid Athena might be upset, but after watching for a while, she saw that Athena’s expression remained calm. In fact, when she heard Michael was going to be engaged to Willow, she even seemed relieved. She looked almost liberated.
Margaret’s heart twisted; in her heart, she always favored Athena since she was the true Monson bloodline. As the true Monson heir, Athena deserved this prestigious match far more than Willow did. The injustice rankled her. Giving such a good match to Willow left her feeling uneasy.
So she said earnestly to Athena, “My dear child, tell me the truth, do you not want them to get married? If you’re unwilling, I’ll fight with my last breath to win this marriage back for you.”
Athena was startled. She didn’t want any more complications. She quickly shook her head. “No, Grandmother. I’m perfectly fine with their engagement.”
She asked, “Are you really willing, or just saying so?”
“Of course I am,” Athena replied, reaching down to pet Lucky. Lucky eagerly pressed up against her, rolled at her feet, and performed its begging pose for attention.
Amused, Athena chuckled and, imitating Margaret, offered Lucky a piece of jerky.
As the two chatted and laughed, a maid’s voice called out, “Lady Eloise, Lady Willow.”
Athena looked up to see Eloise entering with Willow by her side. Willow’s gaze landed on Athena’s face, but she quickly looked away.
Yet her eyes lingered on Lucky, staring at it with clear fear. “How strange,” Athena thought, “it’s just a puppy, why is she so afraid?”
Just then, Lucky suddenly barked a few times at Willow, as if trying to threaten her. It looked like he was trying to act tough. But Lucky was only three months old, and his puppy-like yips were soft and harmless, hardly intimidating at all.
Even so, Willow was clearly frightened; her face went pale, and she immediately hid behind Eloise.
Eloise’s smile stiffened when she saw Lucky. “Oh my, where did this puppy come from?” she asked, shielding Willow like a mother hen. The sight struck Athena as rather ridiculous.
Athena picked Lucky up and set him on her lap, gently patting his little head. She said softly, “Quiet now, Lucky.” It was as if Lucky understood her; he immediately settled down and stayed still.
Margaret, however, didn’t seem to mind at all. She pointed at Lucky and said with a chuckle, “This little thing really knows how to read the room. He’s acting all fierce with my backing; does this toothless little creature really think he’s a tiger?”
Margaret’s words lightened the mood in the room. Noticing Margaret’s fondness for Lucky, Eloise forced a smile. “With such a little companion, you must never be bored.”
“Lucky has truly won my heart,” Margaret said, reaching out her hands. Athena handed Lucky over, and Margaret cradled him in her arms. She gently stroked his fur, and Lucky nestled in her arms and soon drifted off to sleep.
After chatting with Margaret about everyday matters, Eloise brought up Willow’s marriage. She said, “The Osborne family has confirmed. They’ll bring a proposal in two days, and the wedding is set for the 25th of next month. But there’s something I need to discuss with you, Mother, and Athena.”
As she spoke, a hint of hesitation appeared on Eloise’s face, as if the topic was difficult to bring up.