Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife The Twins Are Not Yours novel Chapter 359

Chapter 359: At Odds II

Athena was aware of the unresolved, slight tension between her and Antonio, as a result of her sharp response to his previous question, when she strolled into the living room with him in tow—but she didn’t let it worry her.

Ewan’s presence, however, was a case to be worried for—especially with his laughter booming across the room; with Kathleen sitting on his thigh, laughing.

Nathaniel was on his other thigh, gazing between his great-grandfather and his father while the duo made more arguments on football, with Chelsea fanning the flames. Florence sat beside her husband, showing silent support.

This picture—yes—was enough to spike Athena’s anxiety levels.

Without so much as a word (not that the jolly people in the room stopped their conversation to let them in), she hurried to the dining table and sat down. Antonio took the next seat.

"I am sorry," he started, as soon as he sat down. "But you can see why I am worried. He’s like a leech that won’t go away."

Athena frowned. She understood Antonio’s jealousy, yet it didn’t make her mild surprise go away; she had always known Antonio as an accommodating person, not one with a bitterness to his voice that wouldn’t go away.

"He’s my children’s father, Antonio. Like a son to the Thornes too—would have been but for the intervention of Alfonso. You will have to get used to his presence."

Antonio nodded. "Maybe. But I think I can only relax properly when we are married."

That word again. Athena unconsciously let the fork down—the latter making a clanging noise on the ceramic plate and quenching the noise in the living room.

It confirmed Athena’s suspicions that her family was very much aware of her presence, for how else would they have heard that clang amidst their arguments and boisterous laughter?

"Athena, is the food not to your liking?" Florence broke the silence, darting a curious glance at Antonio, whose only attention was on Athena.

Beneath the table, his hand reached for her thighs, to soothe her, to placate her, but Athena shuddered, unable to help it—to his chagrin.

"It’s tasty, Grandma. I’m just tired. I mustn’t have been holding the fork well."

A lie apparent to the adults in the room, but no one said anything.

"Please, you can continue the discussions. I won’t drop the fork again," she continued, eager to make the silence disappear, a teasing lilt in her voice.

This time, the twins chuckled before drawing their father into another round of conversation.

Athena sighed, hearing Ewan’s laugh again... what was happening to her? She met Old Mr. Thorne’s gaze, right before she returned to her food.

Are you okay? his gaze spoke, needing no words. She gave a barely-there nod, picking the fork and continuing her dinner.

"Why are you ignoring me?" Antonio asked a few minutes later, unable to take the tense silence between them, his hand dropping away from her thigh.

"You claim that I have no cause to worry, but anytime Ewan is around, it’s like you lose touch of yourself—of our relationship."

"That’s not true, babe," Athena countered as smoothly as she could, as confidently—whereas deep within her, she knew her boyfriend was speaking the truth.

"Why then were you so fraught with the topic of marriage?"

"Antonio, would you let me finish eating? You are not making this easier for me. I asked for space, and you are asking for marriage—on the same night!"

A whispered shout, the last phrase was—but the missing decibel was enunciated in the fire flaring in her eyes as she met his gaze.

"Why won’t you let this move at a normal pace? Why inject roadblocks, which you think are speed boosters on the way? First, it was the paparazzi, and now... marriage?" Athena shook her head. "I think you should leave, Antonio. You are really confusing me."

"How so?" Antonio’s voice had lost its earlier conviction and confidence. "Why do I confuse you? I’ve always been open about my feelings for you."

"It’s not about your feelings. I’m confused about your character. It’s like you got into this state and became something else—or I don’t know..." Athena rubbed her face. "You weren’t this..." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

She couldn’t find the right word, so she gestured to his face, hand weaving nothing in the air. "...when we were back in your country. You were a darling, both to me and the kids—attentive. You listened to me."

"Ewan wasn’t in the picture then. You hated him then. I gave you the whole space in the world then—do you remember?"

Antonio’s voice had gone softer, but that was when he was to be feared, Athena thought, forcefully taking a forkful of food, wishing he had actually let her eat.

Her grandmother wouldn’t be happy if she didn’t eat a reasonable amount of this palatable dish before her.

But he was right, in his own way. He had respected her boundaries then. Ewan in the picture must have upset him so greatly.

She placed her hand over his, meeting his gaze tenderly. "Ewan and I are in the past. We are the present, Antonio. The future too."

Oh God. They were the center of attention.

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