Chapter 82: Saving An Enemy

Chapter 82: Saving An Enemy Gianna stood frozen, momentarily speechless at Athena’s response. She took a step toward Athena, her eyes darting over the carefully arranged stacks of books and the colorful gift bags scattered around. "Gianna, he brought them on the day of the kidnap." Athena echoed, her brow furrowed. "I had forgotten them till I saw the children opening it," She added softly, her fingers brushing against the fabric. Gianna’s eyes perused the fiery gown, pausing when she saw a note pinned on it. Her hand instinctively reached for the delicate note. She read it to Athena whose facial expression bordered on confusion. ’I noticed you’re a fan of Areso.’ "Is he wooing you back?" Athena sighed, her voice barely above a whisper as she continued, "I don’t know. Signed copies of Colleen Hoover’s books bought after a year of our divorce, an Areso gown, and Le Fan’s heels. What do you think, Gianna?" Gianna took a deep breath, shaking her head in disbelief. "It’s hard to make sense of this. Why all of this now, especially after everything that’s happened?" "Exactly. He claims it’s for a partnership deal," Athena replied, frustration lacing her tone. Gianna laughed, a sound that was almost mocking. "Partnership my foot. If you don’t want to go back to him, don’t bother meeting him. Partnership deals can be discussed in the boardroom, so you can ask for that. Unless..." "Unless what?" Athena’s expression darkened, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. "Unless you want to tell him about the kids," Gianna said bluntly, sitting down on the edge of the bed, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. Athena felt her heart skip. "Lately, when I go to pick the children up from school, I see Sandro hanging around..." Gianna continued, exhaling softly. "They suspect something, and it wouldn’t be crazy if he didn’t, considering Nathaniel’s resemblance to him. I think..." She crossed her arms around herself, "I think you should tell him. If you don’t, it’ll only breed more doubt. His actions after your truth will inform us on what to do next. But its best to do away with the suspense once and for all." Athena sighed deeply, her thoughts racing, as she rested her buttocks on the dresser. The idea of confronting Ewan—of revealing the truth about their children to him—made her stomach churn. Was it her overprotectiveness that stirred these feelings, or was it something deeper? However, Gianna was right about one thing: the suspense was slightly suffocating. "So, I should accept his invitation to dinner?" "Absolutely. It’s time to face this head-on," Gianna encouraged, her tone firm yet supportive. "I’ll be right here with you. Just like old times." "Okay then, I’ll do that later," Athena replied, steeling herself. "But for now, we have a place to be. Remember, I have another meeting with Alfonso. Will you be coming with me for that?" "I don’t know. It depends on how long we will be spending on our first visit," Gianna replied thoughtfully, glancing toward the door as if expecting someone to arrive any moment. "Let’s go then," Athena said, standing erect again. As they drove toward Ewan’s town for their first visit, a sense of foreboding filled the air. And when they arrived, they understood why. The sight before them was so shocking and troubling. The streets were eerily quiet, and most of the townspeople appeared to be afflicted, the disease evident in the early stages. Gianna tightened her grip on Athena as they stepped out of the car. "You sure it’s not transmitted by contact?" Gianna asked, her voice trembling with fear. Athena nodded, surveying the environment, checking to see what had changed since her exile. "Then how does it spread?" Gianna pressed, urgency creeping into her voice. "I’m not sure, honestly. It’s been proven over and over again that it’s not by contact, but..." Athena paused, glancing around at the somber faces surrounding them. "At least those who are treated aren’t susceptible to the disease anymore." Gianna crossed her arms, watching a little girl play nearby, a gray patch marring her otherwise innocent features. "Where did the disease come from? Has that been found out at least?" Athena shook her head, her heart heavy with the weight of unanswered questions. Just then, her phone rang, cutting through the thick silence. It was Alfonso. She picked up on the third ring. "Hello, Doctor Athena... where are you? Ewan assured us that you’re coming today..." Alfonso’s voice crackled through the line. Athena pursed her lips, glancing at Gianna before replying. "Yes, I’m already in town. Do you still live in the same part of it?" "Of course. See you later then," Alfonso responded gruffly. Athena hung up the call, exuding the calm façade of a seasoned physician. "Let’s go," She said to Gianna. Alfonso’s house still looked the same, but there was a certain heaviness in the air that lingered as Athena knocked on the door. It opened almost instantly, revealing Alfonso with a troubled expression etched across his features. "What are you doing here?" Athena questioned, furrowing her eyebrows. Weren’t they suppose to meet at a restaurant later? "As much as the disease isn’t spread by contact, it isn’t advisable to stay in the same confines with the afflicted. What about your house in the city?" "I have a house, but..." He opened the door wider to welcome them in. "I have the disease too. Are you sure it isn’t by contact? I don’t want Fiona contracting the same..." Athena shook her head. "It’s not. I need to see your wife." At that moment, she noticed the gray patch above Alfonso’s eyebrows—a sign that he hadn’t been lying after all. He led them upstairs to the room where he cared for his wife, a room that was both familiar and foreign to Athena. When she saw Mrs. Adams, the reality struck her like a blow to the gut. This woman, who had once been a formidable force in her life, was now a thin shell of her former self, a mere shadow of the round figure Athena recalled. The woman had tormented her life, yet in this moment, Athena couldn’t even gloat. She rather felt a pang of sympathy for her enemy. "Mrs. Adams, do you think you can handle being carried? We need to transport you to the hospital?" She asked gently, her voice filled with unexpected kindness. Mrs. Adams’ eyes widened in shock as she took in Athena’s presence, her mouth working silently as she beckoned her husband with a frail hand movement. "What’s the problem, Mag?" Alfonso rushed to her side, concern bathing his features. Mrs Adams opened her mouth, and closed it, her voice coming out as a croaked whisper. Athena couldn’t decipher it, didn’t understand either, how Alfonso could hear the words. "It’s as I told you before, Mag. Only her can cure you. She is known to work by the doctor’s ethics, so I doubt she will intentionally kill you, not when she has a standing deal with Ewan." Oh, so the woman was afraid that she would kill her? Well, that was a good fear to hold onto. But she was a moral doctor, and right now, she had to save her enemy. "Yes, she is okay to be carried. You can treat her?" Alfonso reverted his attention to Athena. "Let’s hope for the best. She’s in the final stage of the disease. Survival rate is fifty fifty now or even less." Alfonso hissed. "If you had..." He stopped when he saw the scowl on Gianna’s face, right before she shouted; "Hold your stinking thoughts, Alfonso! My friend doesn’t owe your family anything. You should be glad that she had taken up the case in the first place!"