Chapter 165: Visiting Mr. Thorne IV

Words : 1171 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 165: Visiting Mr. Thorne IV This again? Athena thought, cleaning her mouth elegantly with the wipe that had been kept for her. The sensation of the soft cloth against her skin could hardly cleanse the discomfort she felt now at the dinner table; a stark contrast to her earlier feelings amidst the laughter and the bustling energy of family camaraderie while a few minutes ago. "I guess people do have look-alikes in this world of ours. Part of life’s humor," She finally said, trying to inject a lightness into the conversation. "I see..." Florence muttered soberly. Athena could detect a trace of bitterness in Florence’s words, and her heart ached for the older woman, wishing she could do something to alleviate the evident distress the woman was in. Florence’s eyes glossed over slightly, and for a fleeting moment, Athena could see the layers of pain and nostalgia weave through her expression. "Tell me about her, your daughter, I mean... Emily..." She offered, surprised at how natural the question felt in the air. A flicker of brightness illuminated Florence’s face, as if a distant candle had suddenly been reignited. "Emily was a beauty to behold, the perfect daughter and child anyone could ask for," Florence began, her voice taking on a dreamy lilt that resonated with memory. "Of course, she had her flaws, but they were barely noticeable under the shade of all her goodness. She was a bright one, a purity in this dark world of ours." Athena paused, allowing the tale of perfection to wash over her, recognizing the bittersweet nature of Florence’s words. Grief had a way of twisting memories into something both beautiful and painful. "So, what happened to her?" She asked gently when she noticed Florence’s mood darkening again. Florence shrugged her shoulders, rising to her feet with a heaviness that seemed to linger in the air. "She died." The abruptness of that statement hit Athena like a cold gust of wind. As the words left Florence’s lips, however, she began packing the plates from the table with a practiced, almost mechanical efficiency. Athena quickly got to her feet, not wishing to impose but feeling compelled to play her role as a good guest. She helped Florence clear the table first, then followed her into the kitchen, where the woman told the servants not to bother when they tried to help. Athena knew from experience that the woman needed this bout of house chores, a familiar routine to help untangle her thoughts. So, when Florence stood over the sink, washing the plates slowly yet methodically, Athena stood by her side, assisting with the rinsing and wiping down of the plates with a damp cloth. "You look so much like her, and I don’t even know if that is a good thing or a bad thing..." Florence remarked, her voice trailing off as she focused on the task at hand. Athena said nothing this time, focusing intently on the small duty in front of her, thankful for the mundane distraction. "But seeing as Edward has chosen to see it as a good thing, I will do the same," Florence added, a bittersweet smile touching her lips. "Forgive me, Athena. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or confused. One moment I’m laughing with you, and the next, I’m pondering if it was a good decision to bring you here." Athena shook her head soberly. "No, it’s okay. I understand the complexities of grief. If I were in your shoes, I’m sure I would have acted the same way. Grief can manifest in so many ways." She paused, studying Florence’s face. "Your husband tells me Emily’s best friend was Ewan’s mother." Florence nodded, her eyes lighting up with the memory. "Yes, they were best friends from their college days. It fostered a close relationship between our two families. We sometimes visited Ewan’s family. That must be why I couldn’t bring myself to come for the court case when Edward told me about it. I couldn’t stomach a second round of heartache at what Miley’s son has become, or rather how he’s been pulled down by evil associations. Edward says it’s probably because of the drugs. Is that true?" Athena nodded, feeling a somber weight settle in her chest. "But it doesn’t exempt him from his crimes. As much as the drugs wreaked havoc on his brain, I’m sure he had moments of clarity." Florence shook her head slowly, her expression darkening. "You know, we wanted to adopt him after his parents died, but he chose Alfonso and his daughter because the girl had saved him from drowning some years back. Now, seeing the extent of that girl’s wickedness, I doubt that story is true as well." "We share the same feelings on that topic." Athena said, collecting another plate from Florence’s hands. "But I wish he had accepted your offer. He would have turned out better." Florence nodded, her gaze lost momentarily in thought. "But there’s a reason for everything, I guess. Maybe if he were with us, he wouldn’t have married you, and you wouldn’t have such beautiful kids..." The statement hung in the air like a heavy fog, and Athena paused, contemplating the ’what if’s in that sentence. Even if Ewan had been adopted by the Thornes, Zack still had his father’s property and would have likely made the same offer. The only difference would have been that Old Mr. Thorne might have played a wiser game. But all of these thoughts were merely speculative, meandering through the mind like thoughts on a lazy river, swirling but not necessarily leading anywhere meaningful. "After he chose Alfonso, we tried to maintain the relationship, but that family was just as toxic then as it is now. I don’t think young Ewan had any choice. He was too young to navigate those treacherous waters. I truly feel for him; it hurts me to see him going through all this. I wish him peace... Watching that video of the case, seeing his face and expressions, especially when he fell—it was clear he’s someone who hasn’t seen many good things in this life." Florence paused for a moment, lost in her thoughts. "You would have given him that, I believe. But it seems he just has bad luck. Now, he only gets to see the children once a month!" The statement drained the light from the room, and Athena felt a heavy weight settle around her heart. She drained the sink, cleaned her hands, and stepped back, all the while nursing a frown. Old Mr. Thorne had the court case covered? She hadn’t been aware of this! Why would he do that? But Florence wasn’t aware of Athena’s burgeoning list of questions. Instead, she turned to Athena, her expression shifting to one of request. "Can you join me in the adjoining room? We use it for family discussions..." Athena nodded, recognizing the significance of the invitation. She followed the woman—intrigued yet apprehensive—since the twins were still with Old Mr. Thorne.

Chapter 165: Visiting Mr. Thorne IV

Comments (0)