Chapter 11

Athena shot out of bed in an instant. As she threw on her clothes, she asked sharply, “What happened?”

Aliza rushed over, flustered. “The gatekeeper just reported that Lady Willow left the estate by herself. She took a carriage and made it clear that no one was to alert her parents. She’s just a girl–what if something happens to her?”

‘She made it clear to the gatekeeper?’ Athena chewed on those words, a faint, ironic smile tugging at her lips. ‘If she really meant to leave quietly, would she have let herself be seen?’

Willow had left only after stopping by Athena’s courtyard. If something happened to her now, no one in the household would let Athena off the hook.

But Athena thought, ‘If I am forced to leave… how can I still take care of Grandmother? How will I give her the medicine?’

Athena went out in haste.

Siena and Aliza followed close behind Athena, umbrellas in hand. “My lady, please slow down! If you catch cold in this rain, it’ll be serious.”

By the time Athena reached the front courtyard, Eloise was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe, nearly collapsing from grief.

Her sister-in-law, Fiona Monson, was beside her, trying to comfort her.

Having just given birth, Fiona looked pale and worn. She had been resting and recovering these past weeks, which was why Athena hadn’t seen her.

Nicolas sat off to the side, his face stormy. The moment he saw Athena, he stood and strode toward her.

Fiona, afraid he’d start a fight, rushed to intercept him–but he shoved her aside so forcefully she nearly fell. A maid caught her just in time.

Nicolas stopped in front of Athena, radiating anger. “What exactly did you say to Willow? Why would she leave so suddenly without telling anyone?”

He had never trusted her–not once.

Eloise stepped forward and hit Nicolas, her fists trembling with fury. “Why can’t you speak properly? Why would you push Fiona like that? She just gave birth–do you think she can take that kind of shove?”

Then, noticing the slight mockery in Athena’s eyes, she added sharply, “Can’t you speak to Athena like a decent person? She’s your sister!”

At those words, something stirred faintly in Athena’s chest–but she quickly pushed the feeling down.

Eloise turned to her. “Athena, if Willow has done something wrong, I’m asking you–please, for my sake, don’t be too hard on her. Will you?”

Tears streamed down Eloise’s face as she beat her chest in anguish. “It’s all my fault–it’s me to blame. You know where Willow went, don’t you? Please, just tell us. She’s not strong. In this kind of downpour, her body won’t hold up.”

She sounded like she was defending Athena–but in the very next breath, she was already pointing the finger.

Everyone had already decided it was Athena who drove Willow away. But the truth was, she hadn’t done a thing.

Athena’s tone stayed even, but her words were laced with thorns. “Aren’t you overestimating me, Lady Eloise? If I really had that kind of power, she would’ve been gone ten years ago. Why wait until now?

“Or are you just afraid I’m jealous of the attention you’ve always given her?”

Eloise’s gaze flickered, avoiding hers.

Athena gave a cold, hollow laugh. “All that so-called affection you hold so dear? It means nothing to me.”

Love? She’d stopped caring a long time ago.

Eloise’s face flushed a deep red. She staggered back a step, nearly falling.

Aliena just stood there, watching blankly–didn’t even move to help her.

Eloise raised a trembling finger, trying to speak, but no words came out.

Then Nicolas’s furious voice broke through the silence. “Athena! How dare you talk to Mother like that? Can’t you see she’s beside herself with worry?”

He thought, ‘Now of all times, Athena is still acting out–no sense of timing, no self-control, Mother has already lowered herself to beg, and she still…’