Chapter 74

Michael’s deep voice, cold and cutting, held a fury that felt like it could scorch Athena to ash. He looked like a husband interrogating his unfaithful wife.

Athena thought contemptuously, "But does he even have the right?"

Athena let out a low chuckle, her eyes full of contempt. “How pathetic,” she sneered. When Athena loved Michael, he treated her like trash. Now that she’d dumped him, he was clinging to her like a leech.

If this isn’t pathetic, what is? Athena sneered inwardly.

Athena yanked her hand free, straightened her back, and met Michael’s gaze with a mocking smile. “Out of respect for our past, I never wanted to pull rank,” she said, “But now that things have changed between us, you should show respect to me.”

Ferris was a few months older than Michael, so Michael had to show respect to him according to seniority. In terms of hierarchy, he should naturally address Athena with the same respect.

Michael’s face darkened ominously.

How dare she presume to call herself the crown princess already? Is she seriously considering marrying Ferris? Michael thought in disbelief.

“Athena, dream on!” Michael spat through gritted teeth.

Athena merely smirked, deliberately ignoring his question. “When you two wed,” she said airily, “Ferris and I will certainly attend and toast to your happiness.”

Hearing footsteps behind her, Athena’s smile grew wider. She taunted, “Your fiancée is coming; are you really going to keep blocking my way?”

Conflict flashed in Michael’s eyes before he finally stepped aside, resigned. Athena strode past him without hesitation.

Her face was expressionless as she walked past him, not even sparing him a glance. She walked past him as if he were air, not even sparing him a glance.

Michael felt as if a piece of his heart had been torn away. He nearly reached out to stop Athena, but Willow’s voice shattered his resolve completely.

By the time Michael snapped out of his daze, Athena was already far down the path. Only the faint trace of her scent lingered in the air.

Willow and Eloise approached, both smiling, while Kelsey’s face clouded over. Clearly, Willow, Eloise, and Kelsey had all witnessed Athena’s departure.

With a bashful blush, Willow glanced shyly at Michael, her cheeks slightly flushed. Then she whispered, “Michael, let’s go to the front yard.”

Michael’s face showed no trace of happiness as he responded flatly.

Out of the corner of his eye, Michael caught a glimpse of the heirloom emerald pendant around Willow’s neck. His gaze instantly frosted over.

This emerald pendant was the Osborne family’s most treasured heirloom. It was also his engagement token to Athena. Now, it hung around Willow’s neck.

The thought of Athena’s deal with his mother made Michael’s blood boil. Without warning, Michael reached out and yanked the emerald pendant from around Willow’s neck.

Michael’s abrupt action stunned everyone present. Willow winced as a sharp pain shot through her neck; before she knew it, the emerald pendant was already clutched tightly in Michael’s hand.

Willow’s face was filled with disbelief. With red-rimmed eyes, she stared at Michael, her voice trembling and barely audible. “Michael, you…”

Just as Willow was about to burst into tears, Michael abruptly grabbed her wrist and produced an emerald green bracelet. “The pendant doesn’t suit you,” he said coldly, “This is more appropriate.”

Without another word, Michael forced the bracelet onto Willow’s wrist. The bracelet was slightly too small. As it was forced onto Willow’s wrist, the pain made her eyes well up with unshed tears. But she gritted her teeth and endured the pain.

Finally, the bracelet was forced onto Willow’s wrist. Kelsey stared in shock at the bracelet, her eyes burning with disapproval as she looked at Michael.

I know my own son better than anyone else, how could I not? Kelsey thought.

The emerald pendant was his token of love with Athena; he simply couldn’t bear to give it to Willow. Deep down, only Athena was his true wife.

She thought, As for this bracelet, it was probably meant for Athena. Valuable as it was, it could never compare to that emerald pendant.

Coming to her senses, Kelsey quickly stepped in to smooth things over, forcing a smile. “Michael truly cares about Willow. This bracelet was a gift from the Queen. I even asked him for it once, but he refused to give it to me. He must have been saving it for Willow all along.”

With that, she quickly shot Michael a pointed look, urging him to play along and not make things any more awkward. But he pretended not to notice, carefully tucking the emerald pendant into his robe. With a calm voice, he told the others, “I’ve got something else to do. Excuse me.”

Without waiting for their reactions, he turned on his heel and strode away decisively. He looked like a man with urgent business to attend to.

Kelsey watched her son’s retreating back, a nameless fury surging within her, so intense it felt like her lungs would burst with rage. But with Eloise and Willow present, Kelsey had to force a smile and cover for him. “He’s just a little shy, that’s all,” she said, trying to smooth things over.

Willow forced an awkward smile. She wasn’t stupid; of course she could tell Michael was upset.

Still, Willow thought, Michael wasn’t really wrong.

What’s the deal with him giving me the love token that was meant for Athena?

Willow studied the bracelet on her wrist, a gentle smile playing on her lips. Turning to Kelsey, she said softly, “I do love the gift Michael picked for me.”

Hearing this, Eloise let out a silent sigh of relief. Seeing the marks on Willow’s neck, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of blame toward Michael.

Such brutish behavior, no consideration for a lady’s comfort, Eloise thought with a frown.

Before long, a carriage from Xander arrived to fetch Athena. As she was leaving, Athena noticed Siena and Aliza all decked out, looking for all the world as if they were the ones getting engaged.

Trina complained to her, “Siena and Aliza are getting more outrageous by the day. They’re hardly ever on duty in the residence. All they do is sneak off to Mr. Monson’s quarters.”

Athena smiled lightly. “Let them be.”

She thought, Let them revel in their arrogance; it will only hasten their downfall!

Trina blinked in confusion at Athena. I just can’t figure out Miss Monson anymore, she thought, feeling more lost than ever.

Athena walked straight out of the residence, where a carriage was already waiting. Seeing her come out, the servant quickly stepped forward and bowed. “Prince Xander sent me to escort you, Miss Monson,” he said respectfully.

Athena gave a slight nod, then stepped onto the small stool and climbed into the carriage.

With a flick of the reins, the carriage rolled away, carrying Athena farther and farther from the Osborne residence.

By the time Michael rushed out, all he could see was Athena’s retreating figure in the distance.

His fingers clenched involuntarily around the emerald pendant, its edges biting deep into his palm. Once a cherished love token, it now burned like a branding iron, searing through his nerves.

His eyes were rimmed with red, jaw clenched tight, his features twisting with rage and seething frustration.

Athena didn’t just reject him; she even refused to keep the emerald pendant he had given her. She was determined to sever all ties with him, once and for all.

“Michael.” Willow’s soft call pulled him back to the present.

Still dazed, he turned around and saw Willow’s gentle smile. For a moment, he was so dazed that he couldn’t tell whether the person in front of him was Willow or Athena.

Michael frowned, his voice low and uncertain, and asked again in a daze, “What did you just call me?”

Athena used to call him in that same sweet, affectionate way. But ever since returning from the military camp, that affectionate call had vanished from his life.

Michael’s gaze was hollow and lost, as if he’d lost a priceless treasure. Willow felt a pang of bittersweet ache as she looked at him in that state.

Willow had known Michael for years, yet she’d never seen him look so utterly broken. Willow had clearly seen the reluctance written all over Michael’s face.

Athena still held a place in his heart.