Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife The Twins Are Not Yours novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174: News Of Death

Aiden’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline as he pressed his lips into a thin line, mulling over Athena’s question.

"Aiden? When did Antonio join the research team? He has a company to run back in Whale’s City, and operations in several other countries."

Aiden exhaled slowly, wrestling with the possibility that he may have crossed an unspoken line. But then he shrugged it off; Antonio hadn’t asked him to keep it a secret from Athena.

In fact, he had assumed she would be the first person Antonio would want to tell, especially given the depth of his feelings for her.

"I don’t know, Athena. I actually thought he had told you. Maybe he left the company in the care of a family member—his brother, perhaps? If he’s decided to stay here, I guess you know the reason."

Athena shut her eyes, pressing her fingertips to her temples as if trying to massage away the throbbing in her head. Each pulse felt like a carpenter striking a hammer against her skull. She rubbed her forehead tiredly yet gently, hoping to ease the mounting pressure.

"Athena, you aren’t saying anything," Aiden prodded, sensing her silence.

"Aiden, you already know my situation. I’ve tried; it just isn’t working." Her voice was heavy with resignation, and a hint of sadness crept in. "My heart isn’t cooperating with my mind. I doubt it will change its mind if I accept his proposal of marriage."

"No, it won’t. You’ve already experienced one loveless marriage; I wouldn’t want you to go through that again," Aiden said as he maneuvered the car around the last bend leading to their secure location.

"That’s right. I wouldn’t want to do that to Antonio either. He deserves more," She admitted, a wave of uncertainty washing over her.

If Antonio was so intent on being in her life, how would he ever see his forever girl, even if the latter stood right in front of him?

Five minutes later, as they stepped out of the car and faced a dilapidated, old rusted phone booth that had clearly seen better days, Aiden broke the tension. "So, I’ve got some news for you."

"Good or bad?" Athena asked, stepping into the booth first, followed closely by Aiden.

She glanced around the empty environment, the crumbling concrete and overgrown weeds stark against the gray sky, before pressing a rusted button on the machine. With a whirring sound, the platform beneath their feet descended like an elevator, but faster, whisking them down to a cool underground level.

"Aiden..." She began, turning on the switches that flickered weakly with the effort.

"Bad," He finally admitted, his tone grave. "Why did we follow this route again?" He asked, feeling the tension in his gut knot tighter.

"I don’t know. I felt watched the last time we were here, so this route seemed safer. But that’s beside the point. What’s this bad news?" Athena got a cobweb caught on her face and brushed it away as she approached an iron steel door that loomed before them.

Aiden made no comment, as he walked past her to the door, his focus set on maneuvering the heavy wheel on the door to the right. He strained and grunted, relief washing over him when the metal door finally groaned open.

"Master Shen is dead," He said after a few beats, each word landing like a brick in Athena’s heart.

She froze for a heartbeat, her body slacking against the dusty wall, struggling to comprehend the weight of his words. She felt a cold rush of air against her skin, as if the world around her was beginning to fade.

Aiden sighed and stepped closer, his presence a comfort in the surreal moment.

"I got the news this morning. Heart failure, they said..." He continued, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Are they sure? Maybe..." She started, grasping at straws, unwilling to accept this grim reality.