Chapter 87

The horse’s hooves clattered urgently against the cobblestones.

Athena’s heart skipped a beat as she tightened her grip on the whip.

‘If Michael tries anything funny, I won’t hold back,’ Athena thought.

But after catching up, Michael simply shadowed the carriage like a specter, moving at an unnervingly steady pace and making no further move.

With this ominous presence shadowing her, Athena felt needles pricking her back.

Her nerves remained taut until they reached the gates of the Monson family, where Michael finally strode inside.

All the while, he didn’t even glance at Athena, treating her as if she were just an insignificant stranger.

But Athena could tell that Michael was furious.

The calmer he appeared, the angrier he truly was.

She thought, ‘He’s always been high and mighty; when has he ever tasted such humiliation? Today’s events must have completely enraged Michael!’

“Miss Monson,” Trina urged anxiously, steadying her arm. “Perhaps we should seek Mrs. Monson.”

Henry and Eloise would never stand up for her. If Michael were to denounce her to them, given their temperament, they would certainly summon Athena for reprimand.

But Margaret was different; she had always shielded Athena at every turn.

She would never let Henry punish Athena.

Athena merely chuckled, unafraid. “There’s nothing to fear,” she assured. “Let’s go.”

Michael wasn’t the type to tattle, nor would he ever stoop to such tactics.

If anyone dared to cross him, Michael would settle the score himself.

Athena walked with Trina into the estate. As they reached a pond, they spotted Willow, beaming with joy as she headed toward the front courtyard, trailed by her maid.

After a few days of recuperation, Willow’s injuries seemed to have improved significantly.

She could move freely now.

But whenever she saw Athena, she froze like a deer in headlights.

As Athena approached, Willow dipped into a respectful curtsy. “Hello, Athena,” she said softly.

“Move aside,” Athena said, her face expressionless.

Willow’s eyes instantly welled up, her big eyes shimmering with tears. She looked at Athena and asked in a trembling voice, “Are you still mad at me?”

“Move aside, or I’ll smack you again,” Athena snapped. For some reason, every time she saw Willow’s pitiful puppy-dog face, it just made her blood boil.

‘No one’s even bullying her, yet she puts on that pitiful act every single day. Every time I see her, my hand just itches to slap that pathetic look right off her face,’ Athena thought in irritation.

Perhaps intimidated by the icy glare in Athena’s eyes, Willow’s face instantly drained of color.

In an instant, Willow’s face turned deathly pale, her glossy eyes brimming with self-pitying tears.

She bit her lower lip lightly, staggering back a few unsteady steps to clear the path. “After you, Athena,” she said meekly.

Just as Athena was about to leave, the steward called out from behind, “Miss Monson, Mr. and Mrs. Monson request your presence.”

Hearing this, Willow’s once-dull eyes suddenly lit up. With a demure smile, she replied, “Understood.”

Willow thought excitedly, ‘In just a few days, I'll be marrying into the Osborne family. Michael must be here to discuss the wedding arrangements with me. Though as a young lady I shouldn’t need to bother with these trivial matters, the fact that Michael discusses everything with me clearly shows how much he cares.’

Just thinking about marrying into the Osborne family soon had her grin spreading uncontrollably across her face.

However, a troubled look appeared on the steward’s face. “Her Grace requests Miss Athena’s presence,” he said.

Willow’s smile froze on her face. Staring at the steward in disbelief, she blurted out, “Did you mishear?”

Willow thought in disbelief, ‘I’m the one getting married. How could Mother Eloise possibly only ask for Athena to go?’

The steward’s expression was firm. “I did not mishear, my lady. It is indeed Miss Athena who has been summoned.”

Willow’s smile faded completely. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and her voice quivered on the verge of sobs.

“I see,” Willow murmured softly, her voice barely audible.

Willow stepped aside meekly, making way for Athena to pass.

Athena looked bewildered. “What do they want with me?”

She thought, ‘Michael has barely stepped into the Monson family when he summoned me. What the hell is he scheming now?’

The steward shook his head. “I don’t know either,” he said, “but from what Lord Osborne indicated, he has a significant announcement to make.”

This unexpected summons left everyone bewildered, while Willow’s heart was in even greater turmoil.

Willow longed to follow, but fear of Eloise’s reproach held her back.

Athena knitted her brows, her eyes burning with impatience. “Lead the way,” she commanded.

Athena sneered inwardly, ‘Let’s see if Michael can actually say something decent for once.’

As she watched Athena head toward the front courtyard, tears finally fell from Willow’s eyes.

Nona Melton, her maid, protested indignantly, “Miss, why must you endure this? You’re the one marrying Lord Osborne. How could they keep you from going? I think you should go and see what’s happening. Even if Mrs. Monson finds out, she won’t say anything. She dotes on you, after all.”

“But… Mother didn’t summon me,” Willow said, her voice barely above a whisper, looking meek and obedient.

“Perhaps she simply forgot, Miss. Don’t worry, I’m right here with you,” Nona fumed. She just couldn’t stand Athena’s haughty attitude.

She thought, ‘Miss Willow went out of her way to greet Miss Athena so politely, but Miss Athena just treats her like an enemy. If I don’t keep looking out for Miss Willow, I’m afraid Miss Athena will snatch this marriage right out from under her.’

Athena followed the steward to the front courtyard. Entering the main hall, she saw Henry and Eloise seated, while Michael sat across from them with a darkened expression.

Henry and Eloise exchanged furtive glances, each lost in their own thoughts as they tried to discern Michael’s purpose for visiting today.

But since he arrived, he hadn’t uttered a single word.

What was even stranger was that he had the steward summon Athena.

After a brief consideration, Eloise turned to Michael with a courteous smile. “Might I inquire what brings you here today, Lord Osborne?”

Eloise felt a flicker of displeasure. She thought, ‘This is Willow’s wedding to Michael. Why bring Athena into this?’

The sound of footsteps in the courtyard seemed to trigger something in Michael. His gaze lifted instinctively toward the entrance.

Athena stepped into the room in a flowing blue gown. The dress’s perfect tailoring accentuated her slender waist, highlighting her graceful poise and unique elegance.

Her expression was icy, as if the entire world was beneath her notice.

Her silhouette sent a sudden pang through his chest.

An indescribable ache welled up from his heart and spread through him.

The girl who once followed him everywhere now looked at him as if he were a complete stranger.

In Athena’s heart, Michael was already nothing but an enemy.

Michael felt a pang of guilt. If it weren’t for him, Athena wouldn’t have suffered so much.

But today, he came seeking redemption.

No matter what it took, he was determined to rescue Athena from this living hell.

Athena’s stomach twisted when she caught the redemptive look in Michael’s eyes; a sense of foreboding gripped her. Sure enough, the next moment, Michael’s voice rang out. “Athena and I grew up together. I can’t just stand by and watch her be cast into misery. After much deliberation, I have a solution.”

Without even glancing at Athena, Michael fixed his gaze on Henry and Eloise, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I will take Athena as my second wife, on equal standing with Willow. Neither shall outrank the other. This is the best solution.”