Chapter 175: Funeral Service

Words : 1516 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

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. Aiden’s lips pressed together, his eyes full of unspoken words. "Why would you do that?" She whisper-yelled, hands flying up in frustration. "Because he would have wanted that. And I’m sure you have a lot to say about him..." And he was right. She inhaled deeply, trying to swallow the tightness in her throat despite the knot of fear settling in her stomach. "What about you?! Since you kept him to yourself, you should have something to say too!" "You are really not going to let this go, are you?" Aiden’s frustration seeped through his words. "Fine. I’ll go, but I didn’t prepare. You didn’t tell me this!" She protested. Aiden silenced her with a calming finger on his lips. "You knew him the most, even more than his children. I’m sure words won’t be a trouble." Taking a deep breath, she glanced at the priest, noting the confusion etched across his forehead. To spare him any further distress, she raised her hand. "Right here," She spoke, forcing herself to her feet and walking purposefully towards the pulpit. The priest gave her a broad smile, moving aside to allow her room at the podium as she stood before the microphone, feeling the weight of the crowd’s eyes on her. "Um, hello everyone," She began, her voice shaky yet steadying as she focused on the coffin before her. "I stand before you today not only as Doctor Athena Caddell but as someone who loved and cherished the remarkable man we’re here to honor: Master Shen Tao." She took a moment to collect herself, wiping away stray tears that lingered on her cheeks. "To some, he might have just been a martial arts master, but to me, he was so much more. He was a lighthouse amidst the stormy seas of my existence. You know, he didn’t just teach me how to fight in the dojo; he taught me how to fight in life—how to stand tall when the winds of adversity threatened to knock me down." A gentle wave of laughter rolled through the audience as Athena recalled the countless lessons Shen imparted. "I still remember our very first training session. I thought I was ready to tackle the world, but there he was, sixty years old, casually dodging my attacks like he was dancing. I swear he made me feel like I was a toddler flailing about!" She smiled softly, savoring that memory. "And then there was that day he told me, very seriously, that I need to focus on my breathing. ’If you can’t breathe, you can’t fight,’ he said. Little did I know he was also hinting at the importance of taking a deep breath in moments of stress! I guess I took a bit too long to learn that lesson sometimes." The warmth of laughter spread across the crowd, a salve to the raw emotions swirling within Athena. "Master Shen was not just my teacher; he was my mentor, my confidant. He took an incredibly out-of-place pregnant woman and turned her into a warrior—both in mind and spirit. He helped me find my voice when I felt silenced by disappointment and betrayal from the world." Her voice cracked slightly, the weight of her memories pressing on her heart. "He may have left this world, but his teachings live on in each of us. Shen taught us that there is strength in vulnerability, that kindness is a powerful weapon, and that true courage is letting your heart guide you—especially when it feels like the world is telling you otherwise." She paused, gathering her emotions, her heart swelling with gratitude and sorrow intertwined. "And while we were all here to mourn his passing, let’s also celebrate the legacy he leaves behind. Let’s commit to carrying forward his wisdom—and perhaps even his rather questionable fashion choices," She added, chuckling as she quickly wiped her eyes. "I mean, who else could pull off colorful silk scarves with martial arts gi?" The laughter echoed a bit louder, drawing smiles from the audience that felt like warm hugs to her soul. "If he were here right now, he’d be encouraging us to fight—not with our fists, but with our hearts. To cherish the moments, the lessons, and the bonds we share." Breaking from the podium, she looked to the coffin draped in flowers, a heavy sense of finality settling over her. "Thank you, Master Shen, for teaching me how to be fearless, for believing in a girl who didn’t even believe in herself." With one last deep breath, Athena concluded, "May your journey ahead be filled with the peace you fought so valiantly to find in this life. And may we honor you not just in these moments of sadness, but through our unwavering resolve to live fully, just as you did."

Chapter 175: Funeral Service

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