Chapter 63
Athena looked at Eloise in surprise and thought, “What does Willow's marriage have to do with me?”
After some thought, Athena understood that Eloise had come to discuss the wedding gifts with Margaret. When Athena hadn’t been found yet, the Monson family had only prepared some gifts for Willow. To be exact, those gifts should have belonged to Athena, since Willow was just the second born. Now that both were about to marry into equally prestigious families, the wedding gifts naturally couldn’t be shabby. By tradition, Eloise’s wedding gifts should have gone to Athena, as she is the true daughter of the Monson family. But since Eloise had raised Willow herself, she couldn’t bear to see her wronged. After much thought, Eloise could only turn to Margaret, hoping she would grant Willow an extra share.
With Margaret’s generous assets, and out of respect for Eloise, she surely wouldn’t be stingy.
Seeing that Margaret remained silent, Eloise forced a smile and said, “Naturally, my wedding gifts will be left to them. But divided this way, it’s rather meager. So I’m swallowing my pride and asking you to supplement it a bit.”
Athena glanced at Willow and saw her nervously twisting her handkerchief, anxiety etched across her face. A cold sneer curled on Athena’s lips. She thought bitterly, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease. All Willow has to do is shed a few tears, and Eloise comes charging to her defense.”
Margaret maintained her pleasant smile but did not answer Eloise right away. Instead, she followed her lead and said, “Though the two girls are sisters, there is still a distinction between the eldest daughter and the second daughter. Besides, Athena is marrying into a prince’s household, while Willow is to wed into a marquis’s family. There is a clear difference in both status and rank. We must keep these distinctions, lest people say our family lacks propriety.” Her words subtly implied that Willow’s status would always be beneath Athena’s.
Willow’s expression changed abruptly; her face went visibly pale at the implication. Though displeased, Eloise maintained her composure and asked deferentially, “Then how should we proceed with this?” She was clearly passing the buck to Margaret, intending to put her in a difficult position. If Margaret failed to prepare generous wedding gifts for Willow, the Osborne family would blame her, essentially forcing Margaret into the hot seat.
Athena, who had always defended Margaret, couldn’t hold back. She said coldly, “Lady Eloise, how could you push this decision onto Grandmother? You’re Willow’s mother; naturally, it’s your responsibility. As for my wedding gifts, you may spare yourself the effort.”
“I never intended to stay in this estate, nor will I marry into the McGee family. There’s no need to even think about my wedding gifts. Even if Eloise insisted on giving it, I wouldn’t accept it. Let Willow have what was meant to be my share,” Athena thought to herself.
Athena’s words pierced Eloise like a dagger to the heart, leaving her with a sharp pang. Eloise thought bitterly, “This child still refuses to acknowledge me. No matter what I say or do, Athena is still my daughter!”
Eloise's eyes welled up with tears. Willow, unable to bear seeing her mother wronged, quickly stepped forward to defend her. “Athena, you’re Mother’s child, too. How could you leave all the wedding gifts to me alone? Saying that would only break Mother’s heart,” she said.
After speaking, Willow cast a cautious glance at Eloise, who stifled back her tears and forced herself to hold them. With a practiced smile, Eloise said, “Athena, dear, while you enjoy your grandmother’s special favor, marriage arrangements must follow the elders‘ wishes. Margaret would never play favorites between you sisters. Whatever you receive, Willow shall have too.” She then cast a meaningful glance at Margaret.
Her look implied, “Athena can’t monopolize the wedding gifts; at the very least, Willow will have her share.”
Athena stared at Eloise in disbelief. Just when she thought Eloise couldn’t get any more shameless, she managed to outdo herself again. Margaret’s mother was a princess, and when she married, her wedding gifts filled more than a hundred chests. She entered the Monson family at the peak of its prosperity. Though Margaret never engaged in business herself, the profits from the shops under her name and the annual tributes from her children and grandchildren allowed her to amass considerable wealth. Nearly all of her original wedding gifts had remained untouched to this day.
By the time it was Eloise’s turn to manage the household, the Monson family had entered a steady decline. Each passing year grew worse than the one before, to the point where they even had to dip into Eloise’s own wedding gifts. Now that Willow was about to marry, the Monson family naturally didn’t want the Osbornes to look down on her, but Eloise’s meager wedding gifts simply wasn’t enough to maintain appearances for Willow’s wedding. So, she turned her attention to Margaret’s wealth instead, hoping Margaret would contribute as well.
Before Margaret could speak, Athena cut in sharply, “Grandmother’s belongings are hers to give. Unless she says otherwise, no one, not even me, and least of all any of you, has any right to them.”
Athena mercilessly exposed Eloise’s scheme, leaving her so embarrassed she wished she could disappear. Athena fixed Willow with an icy glare. Willow lowered her head, not daring to speak, yet wore a wronged expression, as if Athena were deliberately picking on her.
Seeing the tense atmosphere in the room, Margaret cleared her throat lightly and gave Athena’s hand a reassuring pat. Only then did Athena’s expression soften slightly.
Turning to Eloise, Margaret said, “We’ll discuss this another time. I’m rather tired now; you may take your leave.”
Eloise couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment but didn’t dare press further. Taking Willow by the hand, she rose with her, bowed politely, then quietly led her away.
Margaret looked at Athena with sorrowful eyes. “One day, when I grow old, I won’t always be around to protect you. My greatest wish is for you to marry and settle down in peace; if you think Ferris is suitable, then finalize the engagement.” Then, with childlike playfulness, she smiled at Athena and whispered, “All these wedding gifts of mine are meant for you. I’ll never let anyone else take it away.”
Of course, it referred to Willow.
But Athena couldn’t bring herself to smile. Margaret was getting on in years, and sooner or later, the whole estate would fall under Eloise’s control. When that time came, Margaret would be left alone without anyone to protect her. Athena wondered if she would be bullied. Just the thought of leaving Margaret unattended made her heart ache.
Seeing Athena on the verge of tears, Margaret grew flustered and asked, “What’s wrong, dear? Why are you crying all of a sudden?”
Athena threw herself into her arms, sniffing back tears. “I don’t want to leave you, Grandmother,” she murmured.
“Silly girl, you’re not getting any younger! If you don’t get married soon, do you expect me to take care of you forever?”
“As long as you don’t mind, Grandmother, I’d rather stay unmarried my whole life just to be by your side,” she said softly.
But even as the words left her lips, a deeper sorrow welled up inside her. Margaret was already in her sixties, living in the twilight of her years. Even with all her medical skills, Athena couldn’t defy nature’s course. Time was running out for Margaret.
How could I ever bring myself to cut ties with such a wonderful grandmother? Athena thought, her heart aching.
Athena thought to herself, I’ll just wait a little longer and spend more time with Grandmother while I still can. Maybe once Willow marries into the Osborne family, things will finally settle down. Then I can stay here in the estate and quietly keep her company.
But the very next day, word came that Margaret had collapsed.