Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours!-Chapter 281: A Misunderstanding IV

"Before you go," Old Mr. Thorne interrupted gently, seeing as Athena was about to get up to retire for the night. "I want to ask one more thing. A favor. Could you consider letting Ewan find his way back into your lives, perhaps at your own pace? It would mean the world to him."

Athena opened her mouth, prepared to argue the point, but the sincerity in his expression grounded her. Instead of gratifying her defenses, his request lingered in the air, prompting her heart to consider opening that door just a crack.

If Ewan had changed, could there be room for him in their lives again? He could be a good friend at least, for he demonstrated outstanding character since the truth had come to the surface.

"I will think about it, Old Mr. Thorne," She replied, brushing away any doubt, not up for another round of worrying and mental stress. Everything will fall into place in due time. "I need some time to figure everything out."

Old Mr. Thorne nodded slowly, satisfied with the answer. "The door is always open for you, Athena. You’re part of this family too, no matter what," He reassured her, his voice warm and patient.

After a few moments of shared silence, she straightened up, feeling lighter. "I’ll see you tomorrow," She said, lingering a little longer as she prepared to leave. "And thank you for always being there."

Old Mr. Thorne furrowed his brows. "Tomorrow? Are you coming to visit me?"

Athena chuckled, realizing the latter’s confusion. "I was a bit hasty before in making a certain decision. That wasn’t nice of me. The children and I will be troubling you some more, till this fiasco with Morgan is properly tackled."

Old Mr. Thorne’s lips widened in a smile of happiness. "Thank you, Athena. Have a beautiful night!" He actually hoped that she would have one free from nightmares. Maybe he should ask Florence to make for her the special tea?

"You are wishing me a good night, but there’s a frown on your face, old man?"

Old Mr. Thorne met Athena’s amused gaze and laughed, getting to his feet. "Oh, don’t worry about that, my dear. I was just thinking of asking my wife to make you her special tea... it helps with sleeping..."

Athena’s eyes twinkled with gratitude. "Thank you..." She muttered. "I will really appreciate that. Have a good night."

With that, Athena stepped out of the cozy confines of the sitting room, a hint of smile playing on her lips, her heart a little less burdened and her thoughts a little clearer.

She knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but perhaps, with time and understanding, she could navigate both the complexities of her decisions concerning Ewan and her children.

The smile dried up though when she walked into her room and noticed that the children were sitting on the bed in the company of Gianna and Susan, their packed bags lying idly on the floor. She had forgotten for a second there that she had instructed Susan to pack up.

Now, she exhaled gently, and shut the door behind her.

"This won’t be necessary..." She spoke, noting that she was the center of attention, that they were expecting her to say something, to lead their movement of the mansion.

"Excuse me..." Gianna frowned, glancing at the kids and Susan.

The trio was just as confused as she was.

Athena sighed, and plumped into the sofa.

"I meant we don’t have to leave tonight," She explained softly. "We aren’t leaving actually till Morgan is dealt with, and the matter with the Grey disease has been resolved."

It was safer for them here, especially for the kids, considering the probability of anyone turning against them...

Gianna would have loved more explanation on that last sentence but she wasn’t sure her friend would want to talk about it in the presence of the children.

"So, is my movements restricted too?" Susan asked, folding her arms across her chest.

Athena shook her head immediately. "Not at all," She said firmly. "You can go anywhere you want but you have to let us know so that we can keep tabs on you."

This period was very critical especially as they were having some good luck bursting the various areas where the gang kept the drugs and all. So, they would have to be extra cautious.They couldn’t afford to lose anyone again.

She didn’t think she could bear it.

"Alright then," Susan said thoughtfully after a moment. "I guess I will have to unpack."

A pause.

"Do I turn in my report to the headquarters tomorrow?"

"Not until Director Alvarez has been removed from seat..." Athena replied with a firm voice, grateful that her young friend had even mentioned this before the latter had acted on it.

If not, her plans would have gone to dust...

But her reply, however, got Susan frowning and getting up from the bed.

"What do you mean?" She asked, folding her arms across her chest. "You don’t want to involve him?"

Athena nodded firmly. "I don’t want to involve a traitor," She said firmly. "Our research shows that he has been in cahoots with the gang. It was how Morgan had discovered your identity..."

Silence descended in the room.

Gianna and the twins weren’t sure who Alvarez was, but from the pieces they could decipher that whoever he was, he had been a mole. A paid agent of the gang. And that his days were up.

"That bastard!!" Susan screamed letting her hands fall to her sides; fisted hands. "How can he do such a thing against his country after all his big talks about right and wrong, about justice and fairness?"

Athena exhaled tiredly. "Guess the paycheck that romanced his bank account every month was worth the blood of the many people that the Grey disease has claimed."

She shook her head in disappointment. "But that’s it for the night. We can continue this discussion for tomorrow. But for now, Susan, please lie low. Don’t send any report to the headquarters, or even communicate with anyone there, until we have discovered if he is the only one, or if he had roped the others into the mess too."

Susan agreed with a nod before walking toward the door. "I will see you tomorrow then...Good night everyone."

The pleasantries were echoed by the others before she left the room.

Gianna followed behind but before she departed, she turned to Athena and urged her to take it easy with the twins, unaware of the conversation that Athena had shared with Old Mr. Thorne.

"Don’t worry. Everything is under control," Athena promised, managing a reassuring smile before wishing her friend a good night as the latter walked out the door.

When she directed her gaze to her children, they shrank back slightly, their eyes not meeting hers. They thought she was still angry with them.

Sighing heavily, she got to her feet and sauntered over to the bed. "How are my sweethearts doing?" She asked, taking a seat and opening her arms wide, inviting them in.

Without hesitation, the twins burrowed into her embrace.

"Mom, we’re sorry... we thought you had given him permission to come with the comics... as a matter of fact, we don’t like the comics..." Kathleen declared, her voice earnest.

Athena held back the laughter threatening to burst forth at Kathleen’s words, especially since she could see the comic book the latter was clutching tightly in her small hand.

"It’s okay, Kathleen. I misunderstood everything. I’m the one at fault. Don’t be hostile if he comes around. Okay?" She glanced at Nathaniel, knowing that he was usually the one to keep a tight face around Ewan.

However, he nodded quickly to her statement.

Athena bit her lip, noting the relief sighs that escaped from the children’s lips. They had genuinely accepted Ewan, and if that was so, why should she stand in the way?

She dropped a kiss on the foreheads of her children before gently releasing them from her embrace. "Mommy has a meeting to get to now, so you two have to sleep. Okay?"

The twins nodded, even though they wanted to sleep nearby.

They began to chat excitedly about the comics to a smiling Athena as she led them from her room into their assigned place.

"Sleep well, my sweeties..." She muttered softly, pressing gentle kisses on their foreheads. "Mommy loves you so much."

"We love you too," The twins chimed happily in unison, causing Athena to chuckle and shower them with another kiss on their foreheads.

Just as she was about to leave, a thought struck her. "Sweeties, do you think you can help me with the contact of your friends? I need their help to do something..."

Kathleen and Nathaniel exchanged a cursory glance but nodded, getting out of bed.

While Kathleen sat back on the bed, Nathaniel moved toward the table and grabbed the phone resting on it. "I’ll send you an email address, mom. You can reach them there."

He didn’t, however, mention that he would see the messages too should she use the email.

Athena ruffled his hair when she received the email address. "Thank you, sweetheart. Now, have a goodnight’s rest..."

Once she left, Nathaniel quickly sent a message to the group chat.

"I gave Dr. Athena our contact. Let’s meet her needs to the best of our abilities!"