Emily? Who is Emily? Athena thought in confusion, rooted to the spot as she watched Old Mrs. Thorne stagger toward her slowly. The mix of sheer happiness and uncertainty on the older woman’s face was striking.
"Emily..." She called out again, each step bringing her closer to Athena and deepening the confusion.
Athena was so shocked that she didn’t notice anyone else in the large living room; her entire focus was on the woman who looked at her as if she were a long-lost treasure.
"Mom, what is going on?" Kathleen’s voice broke through the haze in Athena’s mind. Blinking furiously, she stared at the woman, who had now closed the distance to just a foot away from her.
"Emily, you are back... are these your children?"
But before Athena could ask the woman who Emily was, the latter engulfed her in a tight hug. Athena, taken aback, remained stiff until she felt the woman begin to weep against her back.
She glanced over at Old Mr. Thorne, who stood with the twins, watching them, with glistening eyes.
What the hell is going on? Her eyes seemed to ask him. Yet, he said nothing at first until Nathaniel tapped his hand gently.
"My mother is uncomfortable," Nathaniel observed, his voice steady as he tried to make sense of the situation.
This seemed to yank Old Mr. Thorne from his reverie. He hurried over to his wife, who still clung onto Athena tightly. "Florence, please let Doctor Athena go. She isn’t our Emily. Remember, Emily is dead."
But his words appeared to fall on deaf ears, as Florence continued to hold onto Athena.
Old Mr. Thorne gently tapped his wife on the back. "Please, Florence, you are making our guest uncomfortable. This is Doctor Athena, not Emily. You must have seen her pictures countless times on social media, so why are you doing this now?"
Athena wondered the same thing. Surely the older woman had done her due diligence in researching her, so what was going on now?
After a few more seconds of maintaining the hug, Florence finally released her grip.
Dabbing at her eyes with a neat white handkerchief, she signaled to Athena that she was as fastidious as the internet had portrayed.
Athena felt a curiosity well up within her—what had caused the woman to let down her guard, even for a moment?
"Edward, you can’t blame me for this. Don’t you see she is wearing Emily’s blue collection?"
Athena was more confused than ever as she looked down at the outfit Areso had gifted her.
She was slightly startled when Florence turned sharply, her gaze scanning Athena from head to toe, just as Athena had expected before.
"Where did you get that collection, child?" Florence asked, her tone cutting through the air.
Athena paused, disliking the questioning nature of her words. She glanced at Old Mr. Thorne, raising an eyebrow at him.
Old Mr. Thorne, recognizing his wife’s intent, opened his mouth to speak, but Florence sensed his words before they could escape his lips.
"There is nothing wrong with my question, Edward. If our mighty Doctor Athena has nothing to hide, then she should answer."
Athena inhaled deeply to regain her composure, allowing herself to scrutinize Florence in turn. She wasn’t about to lose face in front of this formidable woman, no matter how powerful her aura was or how strict she seemed.
Florence pursed her lips as she noticed Athena appraising her.
She did not appear pleased and even considered it disrespectful, but this was Doctor Athena—the woman who had treated her Edward. Therefore, she had to be patient, especially since Athena had brought comfort to her husband through the children she thought were beautiful and smart. Thɪs chapter is updated by NovᴇlFɪre.nᴇt
"My friend Areso gifted me this collection on my birthday last year. Satisfied, mighty Mrs. Florence?" Athena noticed the displeasure etched on the woman’s face yet did not falter. Instead, she held her head high, though her heart raced with the fear that her worst expectations might be coming true.
Then, in a twist, Florence burst into laughter, and to Athena’s surprise, Old Mr. Thorne joined in.
Athena exchanged a furtive glance with her children, bewildered. What in the heavens is going on?
Just then, Victoria and Cedric stepped into the living room.
"Grandma, we have been waiting here for forever! Our visitors haven’t arrived yet?!" Cedric exclaimed, then noticed the children and Athena’s presence. A slight surprise flashed on his face before he masked it with his signature gentle demeanor.
Old Mr. Thorne hadn’t informed his family, apart from his wife, that Athena was the esteemed guest they had been expecting.
"Edward, did you see her face?!" Florence started, chuckling and shaking her head, pulling Athena’s gaze from Cedric back to her. "She must have thought that everything she read on the internet about me was true..."
Athena couldn’t believe that she had been played for a fool. How hadn’t she realized that the whole situation was a joke?
She glared at Old Mr. Thorne, who was still chuckling, as he led the now smiling children out of the living room and towards the dining room.
"You really got me..." Athena muttered as Florence approached her again.
"Ah, I’m sorry about that. You have to forgive this old woman for seeking a bit of fun now and then..."
Athena smiled as the anxiety weighing down her shoulders began to lift. "That’s okay. I need to do that sometimes as well."
Florence winked at her. "Then we are going to be great friends, just as you are with my husband."
Athena was surprised when Florence linked their arms together and started moving toward the dining room.
"But you know, you really resemble my daughter, Emily. Did Edward tell you about her?"
Athena nodded, still wondering if all the hugging and tears had been part of the plan. "He didn’t mention her name, though."
Florence nodded in understanding. "I see. Well, welcome to my house, Athena."
"Thank you, new friend."
The twinkling in Florence’s eyes reassured Athena that she had made the right decision. The older woman simply wanted to be loved, much like her husband.
Right behind them, watching the lovely spectacle unfold, was a fuming Victoria.