Stolen love: In love with my sister 's fiance-Chapter 66

Elaine's heart pounded as she searched every corner of the villa, her breathing growing shallow with panic. Her hands trembled as she pushed through the guests, calling Athena's name. "Athena! Where are you, baby?"

Ryan was just as frantic, running through the garden. His chest tightened with guilt. How could he be so careless? He had been drowning in his own heartbreak and had momentarily let his guard down. What kind of father was he?

Just as desperation threatened to consume them, a guard rushed toward them. "We found her!" freewebnoveℓ.com

Elaine whipped around, her eyes wide. "Where? Where is she?"

The guard stepped aside, revealing a man's assistant carrying Athena in his arms. Relief flooded Elaine as she saw her daughter safe, but before she could reach out to take her, the assistant stepped back, his expression disapproving.

Elaine's brows furrowed. "Give me my daughter."

Instead of immediately handing Athena over, the assistant's voice was sharp. "What kind of parents are you? Your daughter was on the road! Do you realize what could have happened? It's only because of our boss that she's safe. If she had been hit—"

Elaine's breath hitched. Her vision blurred with tears. Athena was on the road? She almost had an accident? The weight of those words crushed her, and she felt her knees go weak.

Before she could respond, Athena frowned and turned to the assistant, her hand cupped his face. "Bad uncle! Don't scold my mommy! It's not her fault!"

The assistant blinked, caught off guard by the little girl's fierce expression. But before he could say anything, Athena huffed, crossing her arms. "I'm going to tell the handsome uncle about this!"

The assistant stiffened in panic. Handsome uncle? Oh no... If his boss found out he had scolded the little girl's mother, there was no telling how he would react. The boss was already acting strangely when it came to her.

Hurriedly, the assistant crouched down and set Athena gently on the ground. "Princess, I'm sorry! Please don't complain to him," he said, his voice almost pleading.

Athena tapped her chin as if considering his fate. Then, tilting her head, she said dramatically, "Hmm... I'll think about it."

Elaine, despite her lingering fear and guilt, couldn't help but stare at her daughter in amazement. She's got him wrapped around her little finger already.

The assistant sighed in relief, but he knew one thing for sure—he needed to get out of here before his boss found out about this. He quickly nodded toward Elaine, then hurried off before Athena could change her mind.

As the assistant settled into the passenger seat and was about to start the car, the man, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke.

"Have you found the girl's mother?" his deep voice carried a hint of something unreadable.

The assistant, still slightly nervous from the earlier interaction, nodded quickly. "Yes, boss. I found her and... scolded her for you."

There was a beat of silence before the man gave a small nod of approval. But instead of signaling to drive away, his gaze drifted back toward the villa, his fingers lightly tapping against the armrest.

He should have left by now. His business in this city was purely temporary. Yet, something about that little girl unsettled him in a way he couldn't quite explain.

A strange pull.

His mind told him it was nothing—a fleeting moment, a chance encounter. And yet...

His reluctance to drive away spoke otherwise.

___

Elaine dropped to her knees, pulling Athena into a tight embrace, her body trembling with relief. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she held her daughter close, the fear of what could have happened still gripping her chest.

"Mummy, don't cry," Athena whispered, wrapping her small arms around her mother and patting her back gently. "I am fine."

Ryan knelt beside them, brushing his fingers through Athena's hair before pressing a soft kiss on her forehead. His heart ached with guilt—he had been so lost in his own pain that he had failed to protect the most important person in his life.

Mary crouched down, rubbing Elaine's back reassuringly. "She's safe now, Elaine. That's all that matters."

Elaine wiped her tears, nodding as she held Athena's face in her hands, checking her over again as if to reassure herself that she was truly unharmed.

"We should leave," Ryan finally said, his voice quieter than usual. "It's already late."

Mary nodded in agreement, glancing back at the villa. "Yes, let's go."

Elaine took a deep breath, scooping Athena into her arms as they made their way out.