Chapter 107

Michael wasn’t prepared for Athena to kick him. Her foot landed squarely on his chest. He had always assumed she was a weak woman, not capable of much strength. Yet that one kick sent him stumbling back two steps.

His chest ached faintly, but the deeper pain lay in his heart.

Back then, Athena used to smile at him every day and tried every way to make him happy. However, she was now looking at him with nothing but cold indifference.

“Athena,” Michael’s heart ached with bitterness as he struggled to call her name. His gaze upon Athena was full of pain and disbelief.

If he had shown her the slightest bit of warmth three years ago, she would have been overjoyed. But now, everything had changed. The past was gone.

He looked at her, hurt flashing across his face, but when Athena heard him call her "Athena," she felt only disgust.

When she loved him, he had dismissed her. Now that she no longer did, he chased her like a shadow. How ironic.

Athena stepped down from the carriage without sparing him a glance and walked toward the duke’s estate.

“Athena,” Michael called out, panicked when she ignored him. He stepped forward, ready to block her path.

But Athena suddenly turned around. Her eyes, utterly devoid of warmth, froze him high in place.

Her chest rose and fell violently with fury. She was truly repulsed.

To ensure he wouldn’t pester her again, she said flatly, “I will soon be marrying into the McGee family. You’re marrying Willow. Everything is happening exactly as you wanted. So why are you still clinging to me?”

Michael frowned slightly. “As I wanted!”

His eyes widened slightly before realization dawned. She was talking about the marriage switch.

Michael’s eyes clouded with sorrow, glistening faintly under the lamplight. He stared fixedly at Athena. His voice was low and strained as he said, “That was never what I wanted.”

“But you didn’t stop it either, did you?” Athena hadn’t planned to say much to him today, but since they were already here, she thought a clean break would be for the best.

She wanted to end his longing and find peace for herself.

On the other hand, she needed to tell him that she never owed him anything.

She took a deep breath and said, “You do nothing and still act like the victim. You should know I’ve always been the one hurt, the one without any choice. Michael, you and I… we’re already even.”

Michael’s head snapped up to look at her. But all he saw in her eyes was icy coldness, and his heart felt as if it had been torn in two.

“Even!” he echoed.

He didn’t want to be even. He wanted to stay entangled with her, even if she hated him.

“I don’t want that,” he muttered.

Athena could hardly believe what she was hearing. Talking to him was like talking to a wall.

She turned to leave without another word.

Suddenly, Michael grabbed Athena’s arm.

Trina rushed forward to intervene, but Michael flicked his arm and sent her sprawling to the side.

“Let go.” Athena was seething with rage. She yanked her arm hard, but his iron grip didn’t budge.

Michael’s eyes bore into her. “I will never let go.”

The madness and obsession in his gaze sent chills down her spine. Just as she thought he might do something crazy, he suddenly released her and turned away, striding off.

“My lady!” Trina scrambled to her feet and ran to Athena’s side. “Are you alright?”

Athena’s face had turned pale. Normally composed, she now looked visibly shaken.

She nodded stiffly. “I’m fine.”

But back in her room, she couldn’t calm herself.

She knew Michael too well. Once he wanted something, he would stop at nothing to get it.

And now she had become his obsession. He would never let go easily.

He was like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

That night, Athena had a nightmare.

In the dream, she was forced into a bridal gown and married off to the Osborne family alongside Willow.

She screamed and cried with all her might, but no one cared.

Michael stared at her with oppressive eyes, closing in on her step by step. In a panic, she picked up a dagger and stabbed him in the chest.

“Lady Athena, wake up!” Trina’s voice broke through the haze. Athena jolted awake from her nightmare.

Her eyes were blank and unfocused. It took her a long while to recognize where she was.

Trina wiped her face with a handkerchief. “Did you have a nightmare?”

Athena’s chest rose and fell rapidly. The dream felt too real. Even though she was awake, her heart still thudded with fear.

She turned to the window. The night was still dark. “What time is it?” she asked.

Trina replied softly, “It’s the middle of the night.”

Seeing Athena trembling, Trina poured her a cup of water. “Have some water.”

Athena took a sip, and only then did her emotions slowly settle.

She lay back down, but sleep eluded her.

It wasn’t until just before dawn that she finally dozed off for a while.

The morning light streamed through the window. Trina entered the room carrying a stack of account books, placing them on the table. “My Lady, these were sent by…”

Rubbing her aching temples, Athena was reminded of the matter Michael had nearly made her forget.

The pile of books was thick. After flipping through a few pages, her head began to spin.

She bit her lip in frustration, then glanced at Trina hesitantly.

Trina asked tentatively, “Would you like me to help review them?”

Athena gave a wry smile. “Numbers really aren’t my strength.”

She had always immersed herself in medicine, never touching these kinds of things.

Trina chuckled. “If you don’t mind me being a little slow, I’d be honored to help.”

Athena’s eyes widened. “You know accounting?”

Trina explained, “Lady Margaret was kind enough to teach me. Besides that, I also know embroidery, flower arrangement. At least a little of everything.”

Athena felt like she had discovered a treasure. She immediately pushed the books toward her. “Trina, I’ll be counting on you.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best.” Trina accepted them with joy, her heart pounding with pride.

For Athena to entrust her with something so important meant Athena truly trusted her.

Meanwhile, Athena couldn’t help but think of Margaret.

First, Margaret had sent Trina to her, then gifted her shops and estates. She had been planning this path for Athena all along.

While Athena nibbled on pastries, Trina worked through the account books.

It would take three or four days to finish sorting the books.

Feeling a bit restless, Athena stood up.

She hadn’t been to the McGee family’s residence in days. It was time to check whether Ferris had returned.