Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours! - Chapter 240

Chapter 240: Long Night IV
Athena balled her fists at her sides, frustration coursing through her as she processed Nathaniel’s words.

She wasn’t entirely sure what it was, but both his and Kate’s comments made her realize she had been neglecting her duties in a certain area.

Did they really think they couldn’t have comic books or painting materials? How could she not know that her children loved these things? And now Nathaniel was saying he thought she wouldn’t let him have them?

What ignited that thought pattern within him? When had she ever expressed that she didn’t want them to have fun?

Nathaniel, who had been staring at his father in confusion—baffled at how Ewan had also figured out his wants—turned to his mother, shrinking back immediately upon seeing her disapproving expression.

The poor boy felt the weight of his mother’s disappointment, convinced she was upset with him for admitting his feelings aloud. Cursing himself internally, he reluctantly stretched out the comic books to Sandro. “My words were false earlier. I don’t like comic books.”

“Now, that’s my boy!” Antonio cheered, throwing a fist in the air as if he had just won a milestone victory.

His enthusiasm echoed through the room, but Athena felt nothing but annoyance as she wiped a hand across her brow, heart racing with anger and disbelief, especially as Ewan suddenly looked worn out again.

“What are you doing, Nathaniel? Do you think it’s a joke to mess with someone’s feelings?” She asked hotly, her voice rising a notch, no longer bothering to glare at Antonio.

“Eh…” Nathaniel stuttered, glancing at his sister, who was staring at him with an expression he couldn’t quite grasp. He felt lost and confused. He didn’t understand his mother either.

Had he truly misread her earlier countenance? He sighed, folding inward and withdrawing his outstretched hands. “I’m sorry.” He quickly turned to Ewan and added, “I’m sorry, Mr. Ewan. Thank you for the gifts. I really like them…”

“You’re welcome, Nathaniel. But why did you turn them down? You know, if you don’t like them, you can let me—”

“I do like them. I just…” Nathaniel interrupted, his voice faltering momentarily, realizing his next words were unprepared.

“He’s just way above it,” Antonio chimed in, causing Athena to raise her brows in sheer anger.

Was Antonio behind this absurd idea? Telling her children they couldn’t have fun because they were “above it”?

“He is six, Antonio,” Aiden interjected suddenly, speaking for the first time since the meeting began. He had been quietly observing everything unfold around him, making mental notes.

He has deduced that Ewan’s paternal instincts were indeed sharp. Wasn’t he a father himself? The ability to read one’s children, to anticipate their true needs, was a crucial aspect of being a nurturing parent. Ewan had been able to do that, without even having a strong relationship with the children, and it goes a long way to explain something good about him. Maybe, he was actually redeemable.

“Yes, true. But Nate is a genius, and doesn’t need comics to dull his brain, neither does Kathleen need the painting materials…”

Kathleen pressed her lips tightly, hugging the painting materials as if they were a lifeline, her fingers curling around them protectively.

Athena’s mouth, however, fell open. So, Antonio was behind this stupid thought pattern her children had developed. That because they were geniuses, they didn’t need comics and painting. Was that why they didn’t even watch cartoons?

Though she had noticed a loosening up when they had moved here, she had thought it just excitement, and nothing more. But she understood things more clearly now—Antonio really had a far reaching influence on her kids.

Yet, how could she have been blind to this?

She darted a glance at Aiden, he gave her a curt understanding nod, then spoke: “Comics and a painting hobby won’t dull their brains, Antonio. It would only open their minds to more creativity.”

Around them, the other adults exchanged surprised glances, unsure how to react to the tense atmosphere that had suddenly filled the room.

Ewan’s thoughts raced as he almost asked Athena why she had chosen someone like Antonio—who seemed intent on turning his children into robots—to be the children’s father. Yet he restrained himself, aware that it might only add fuel to the fire. He had brought this nonsense upon himself to start with, hence he chose silence, watching intently for Athena’s response.

Would she side with Antonio, especially as the latter scoffed ungracefully at Aiden’s words?

“I don’t think so, Aiden. The only games they should keep busy with are puzzles and…”

“Antonio…” Athena was facing down as she called out Antonio’s name, but everyone in the room could sense the large bouts of anger emanating from her.

Antonio immediately shut his mouth, nostrils flaring when he realized she was angry at him, and not for him.

“You told my kids that I wouldn’t want them having a bit of fun?”

Antonio shook his head immediately.

Athena inhaled and exhaled deeply. She needed to control herself however angry she was. Antonio was still her friend, she couldn’t bash him in public. “Nate and Kate, please spend some time with Mr. Ewan, alone. I’m sure he has some things to tell you. Antonio meet me outside.”

Without much ado, without waiting to see if her words were being taken with a pinch is salt, Athena walked out of the room.

“Aren’t you going after her?” Aiden asked Antonio, who was still consumed with shock at the turn of events.

Athena should be for him, and not against him! Antonio thought. However, he followed her out, without saying a word of reply to Aiden, not even a glance.

Silence returned to the room then, silence streaked with tension because the twins didn’t know how to go about speaking to their father, and Ewan was still preparing his words carefully, for he thought: “I can’t mess up this chance with them.”

Meanwhile, outside the room, near the porch, a deeper, more unsettling silence loomed between Athena and Antonio.

“What’s going on, Athena? Did I read the signs wrong?” Antonio finally broke the silence.

But Athena gave him no response, her face a mask of stoicism, eyes cast away.

Antonio sighed and closed the distance between them, placing his hands on her shoulders, seeking to bridge the growing chasm. But she shrugged him off without hesitation.

“Why did you inform me to come here then? Was it not to quench whatever hope Ewan has of making a connection between you two, between the children? Why are you angry at me and not him?” Antonio was instantly frustrated, his confusion spilling over into annoyance.

With the crisp air wrapping around them, Athena turned to face him, their faces mere inches apart.

Unlike Antonio, who warred against the burgeoning intimacy of their stances, she remained resolute.

“That’s beside the point, Antonio. Yes, I brought you here as a support system, but what did you tell my children about my views on fun? Why would you do such a thing?” Her voice rose with each heated question.

Over and over, she had tried to pinpoint when things had gone awry, when her children had started to believe she wouldn’t support their choices in hobbies that didn’t involve high-level brain exercises.

She finally decided on those moments when she had been so busy with one mission or another, when she had left them in the care of Gianna and Antonio, at intervals. And because Gianna sometimes went to work, the duty had fallen on Antonio, considering he wasn’t really active in his father’s company then.

If she had known he was feeding her children misguided concepts, she might have reconsidered allowing him that level of influence in their lives. Athena cursed under her breath in regret. But better late than never, the thought flickered in her mind.

“Your kids are geniuses, Athena,” Antonio started slowly, his tone turning more serious. “High-level ones. I have tested their capabilities—not just once, but several times…”

Athena’s mouth fell open slightly, shock coursing through her veins. What tests were those? Why hadn’t the twins informed her?

Trust. As the thought settled, she realized they trusted him, perhaps a little too much.

“They can change the world, just like you are doing, but at a much younger age. They have the potential to do anything they set their minds to! Haven’t you noticed their skills with computers?” Antonio continued, enthusiasm bubbling in his voice.

Athena shivered involuntarily, her heart pounding. Did Antonio know about the children’s online friends? And what was this overambitious tone she detected? What were his true intentions concerning her children? Had she made a mistake letting him take on a fatherly role in their lives?

Questions whirled in her mind, fanning the flames of anger and doubt within her.

However, when he touched her cheek, rubbing it softly, gently, she eased off, remembering all the things he had done for her, how he had supported her when she needed it the most. He was a good friend like Aiden. Yet, on the subject of her children…

“Athena, I love you, and I love the children. So much. There’s no way I will teach them wrong. They are like mine. And they don’t need comic books and painting materials. They need more guidance to groom their sharp brains.”

Athena shook her head vigorously, pushing his hand away from her cheek, a firm resolution settling in her features. “I understand your point, Antonio. But, please, I would prefer my children to follow their passions, not yours. Don’t do this again. If Nate wants comic books, he gets them. And if Kate wants to paint, then she shall.”

A heavy pause.

“What kind of mother am I when I don’t know my children’s real hobbies?” She asked softly, the crack in her voice betraying her inner turmoil.

“I’m sorry,” Antonio said calmly, pulling her into a gentle embrace, eager to soothe her. “I made a mistake. It won’t happen again. Forgive me?”