Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife The Twins Are Not Yours novel Chapter 175

Chapter 175: Funeral Service

"We are here to pay our last respects to our father, brother, and friend, Shen Tao..."

The words hung heavy in the air, twisting tight around Athena’s heart. She turned her head into Aiden’s hard chest, allowing the tears she had fought so hard to contain to finally flow.

It was a moment of surrender amidst grief, the acknowledgment of loss as the funeral service reached its peak, the moment where they were about to close the coffin of Master Shen.

The memories flooded in then, uninvited yet insistently vivid.

She had met Master Shen at one of those ridiculous parties organized by Antonio’s parents six years ago, a world she desperately tried to fit into but continuously stumbled out of, landing back in the dust.

Antonio had been a darling six years ago, when she had arrived at the mansion gates, with nothing but the knapsack Gianna had given her, and the directions and contact on the piece of paper—even though she had arrived a month later than the time Gianna had given this friend of hers whom she had met in college.

Three rows with three different guards later, Antonio had finally appeared, in a Lambo(car) and with a bimbo, who had kept eyeing her badly thinking she was another of Antonio’s girlfriends.

Antonio had listened to her, had given her a room in the mansion, ignoring his parents insults and threats. He had even risked his place, his birthright as a first son, when he had a row with his mother because the woman had attempted converting her to a maid.

It had all gotten worse as her pregnancy started to show. The whispers and labeling had grown louder in the halls of that extravagant mansion, pushing her further away from the parties until one fateful night where she had finally met Master Shen at a celebration for Antonio’s sister.

She had been outside in the garden, rubbing her conspicuously round belly and occasionally muttering to her babies when she heard a smooth male voice behind her, sending a ripple of anxiety through her.

"What are you doing out here alone? Aren’t you joining the party?" He had asked, taking a seat beside her on the bench.

Fear flickered through her at first, seeing as she was all alone in the garden. In her state, she wouldn’t be able to fight a ravenous man. But as she turned to meet his calm gaze, she felt her defenses begin to crumble.

"I’m just here for the air," She had replied guardedly.

"The babies, huh?" He had nodded toward her belly with that knowing grin that seemed to promise understanding rather than judgment. "Antonio told me about you—the one who has been rejected in all circles... Where is the father?"

"Absent," She had answered curtly, the bitterness in her voice betraying the pain she held inside.

"Do you want to live? Not merely exist like you are doing now?" He had offered after a few minutes of comfortable silence passed between them.

Her positive response to that question, stirred by determination to get something out of life, to get something out for the child in her belly, had kickstarted a series of events that made her the woman she was now.

Now, people thought she was perfect. If only they knew...

She sobbed harder now as Aiden crossed his arms tighter around her. "It’s okay, Athena. I’m sorry."

I’m sorry has been the latest mantra of Aiden, especially after he broke the news to the twins, that their real godfather was dead. Zane was a second. Oh, her children had a lot of godfathers.

With the twins, she had given him the silent treatment until today, because he had to be the one to pick her up for the funeral. The twins had wanted to come, but Athena wasn’t feeling up to it.

"Now, we are calling on Doctor Athena Caddell, to give an eulogy about this great man who has left us..."

Athena paused her crying episode, wondering if she had heard the officiating priest wrong.

"Doctor Athena..." The priest called again, slowly this time around, searching for her with his eyes.

"Are you behind this?" Athena shot a glare at Aiden, pulling away from his comforting embrace.

"Um, hello everyone," She began, her voice shaky yet steadying as she focused on the coffin before her. _{ƒreewebɳovel.com}