Chapter 104: Connecting Some Dots

Words : 1171 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 104: Connecting Some Dots On the way back to her office, Athena made an unexpected stop, weighing some confused situations in her mind as she approached Stella’s ward. "How’s she doing today?" Athena asked the nurse standing outside the door, a soft smile on her lips. "She’s better, ma’am. Much better. She should be home soon," The nurse replied, her smile as cheerful as a sunbeam cutting through the morning fog. Athena nodded, pleased with the report. That was good news, especially since Aiden had found a house and arranged it well enough for Kendra and Stella’s return. She would certainly miss Kendra, of course, but the separation was absolutely necessary. "Thank you," She finally said, the warmth in her voice reflecting her gratitude. The nurse nodded with a smile and left the vicinity, and with a deep breath, Athena stepped inside the ward. "Doctor Athena!" Stella shouted, her joy spilling out like a fountain as she leaped from her bed, the earlier pallor in her complexion now replaced by a youthful vibrance that Athena hadn’t seen before. She rushed over, engulfing Athena in an exuberant hug that spoke volumes. "Thank you so much, Doctor! I finally won over my fears and checked myself in the mirror. I can’t believe I’m back to myself now!" She exclaimed. "The nurse had said I would be leaving soon. Is that true?" Stella’s eager eyes sparkled with hope, pulling Athena deeper into the warmth of the moment. Athena nodded with a smile, assessing Stella’s face, now radiant and lively, as if she had shed her troubles along with her treatments. "Yes, it’s true. You will be going home soon. After all, Kendra has missed you." The glowing smile that spread across Stella’s face was bright enough to light up an entire city. "Really? How’s she doing?" "Great," Athena replied, her voice brimming with sincerity. "I’ve made provisions for your housing too. You don’t have to return to your old house. It’s unbefitting for both your recovery and Kendra’s growth." Stella immediately tried to fall to her knees, but Athena instinctively held her back, a mixture of surprise and concern marking her features. "Please don’t. I’m just doing the bare minimum here." Stella shook her head vigorously, her eyes glistening with tears. "That’s not true. That’s not the bare minimum. I know how much housing costs in this city now, with the rate of development going on— even in the rural areas," She paused, letting her emotions spill over as tears coursed down her cheeks. "Doctor Athena, this gift of yours really means a lot to us. Thank you so much!" Athena felt a touch uncomfortable watching Stella cry, but deep down, she could empathize—hadn’t she been in a similar position not so long ago, when hell came knocking at her door? "It’s okay, Stella. Stop crying, please. I want to talk to you." Stella nodded, cleaning her tears immediately, but the more she wiped her face, the more the tears flowed. Athena walked over to the shelf, picked up a pack of wipes, and handed them to her. "Here, take these." "Thank you," Stella muttered, sitting on the bed, shakily attempting to put herself back together. "Please give me some time to reorder my thoughts." "Sure," Athena thought to herself, remembering how it had taken her days to regain her composure when she first received help from Antonio, Gianna’s friend. A few minutes ticked by, filled with the soft rustling of wipes and the occasional sniffle from Stella. "Okay, I’m ready," Stella announced at last, determination glinting in her eyes. "You said you wanted to talk; what is it about?" "It’s about Kendra and how she came to be with you," Athena responded immediately, the gravity of her inquiry settling between them like a weighty blanket. Stella paused, wringing her hands together nervously. "Forgive me for asking, I know this is a request I should grant, but what do you want with Kendra?" "She is familiar. She looks like a friend of mine. I’m just curious. I just want to see if there are any dots to connect—nothing more," Athena explained, choosing her words carefully, feeling an itch of hope as she awaited Stella’s response. Stella seemed appeased by the answer. "Kendra was dropped at my doorstep with nothing but a file highlighting her access to a prestigious school. There was also a wad of cash." Athena nodded, piecing together the puzzle which explained Kendra attending the expensive school while living in a dilapidated building. Yet... "The baby was dropped at the building you are living in now?" Stella looked troubled as she shook her head. "No. She was dropped at my former house. You see, I was doing quite well once; I lived in my father’s good house that was worth a lot, until his death happened and his debtors came visiting. I had to pay off the debt with the house, closed the family business since it was also taken, and then lived in the building as it was the cheapest I could find. I was thinking my dad had some money, but all he left behind were debts." Athena nodded slowly, connecting that particular dot. "So, it’s safe to say that Kendra’s mother hasn’t shown up, or anyone else?" Stella hesitated, awakening Athena’s curiosity. "What’s the problem?" "Two years ago, I saw someone watching the house. A woman and a man in a car. They kept pointing and talking. When they saw me, however, they zoomed off. Personally, I think the woman is the girl’s mother. They just have the same body language," Stella replied, her expression reflective. Athena nodded again, her heart racing. "And since then, no sightings? No money drops?" Stella shook her head. "Nothing." Athena sighed and got to her feet, her thoughts racing about the implications of Fiona potentially tracking down her daughter, yet doing nothing about it after seeing her living in a dilapidated house. The realization settled over her like a dark cloud. The woman was evil. But was she surprised? A little. Athena had expected Fiona to show some compassion for her own blood. "Thanks for talking to me, Stella," Athena said, wrapping her words in gratitude. "Oh, it was no trouble at all," Stella shrugged with a soft smile. "Is that all you desire from me?" A pause filled the space, thickening the atmosphere. "Ask me for anything, Doctor, and I will do it," Stella added, loyalty evident in her tone. Athena didn’t quite know what to do with that loyalty; it was unexpected. "It’s okay, Stella. Just take your rest." Just then, she received a message from Aiden. "On my way, Boss. Merry Christmas!" Athena scoffed, a bittersweet smile creeping onto her face. It had taken a while to convince her friend to travel after the last attempt on her life, but it still hurt to see him away. Just then, another message dropped in too; it was from the team: "We have found a witness. Come to this location."

Chapter 104: Connecting Some Dots

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