Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours! - Chapter 272

Chapter 272: Just A Business Meeting
“Are you going on a date with Ewan, looking and smelling like that?” Gianna asked, a frown masking her face as her eyes quickly scanned Athena’s face and clothes.

Athena scoffed, shot her a glare, and then transferred the carton containing the batch of drugs to the backseat with her left hand.

“It’s not a date, Gianna. It’s a business meeting,” She spoke curtly, dusting her hands off as if she were shaking off any lingering doubt. “The one I have a date with is Antonio, and that’s at seven. Get the facts straight.”

Yet, she sniffed her clothes, scrunching her face when she perceived nothing out of the ordinary. “You talked about a smell…”

Gianna snorted and rolled her eyes as she turned on the ignition. “Yes, you reek of chemicals. I think you should leave the coat in the car and get another top at a store… maybe even a spritz of perfume…”

Athena shook her head, cutting her friend off. The next stop would probably lead to Gianna suggesting a complete makeover. She didn’t need to do that for Ewan. “I’m going to meet Ewan like this. He knows I’m a doctor—no need to give him any other ideas.”

Gianna shrugged as she pulled the car out of its parking spot. “If you say so. So what’s the business meeting all about?”

“It’s about the Grey disease… I’m not entirely sure. But he mentioned finding the mole…” Athena replied, relieved again that Gianna wasn’t a stranger to her second occupation.

Talking with her friend was therapeutic to an extent, aiding her in distancing herself from the sadness that flooded in from not having Aiden around.

“Oh, I assume he is taking this up as a responsibility. That says a lot about him. He’s a changed man. Surely, you’ve noticed.”

Of course, she had noticed, and more. But what was there to do with that information? Exclaim in praise?

So, she chose to say nothing in response to Gianna’s statement, preferring instead to look out the window as her friend shifted gears. It was already fifteen minutes past five, and Ewan would be waiting, considering his strict policy against lateness—even during their cold marriage.

Fortunately for her, Gianna seemed to read her thoughts and stepped on the gas as they approached the city outskirts. “So, am I dropping you at the hospital first?” Gianna asked after a few moments of silence.

“Not at all. Just drop the drugs with Finn…”

A significant pause.

“You know what, just drop it at the hospital’s pharmacy.”

She didn’t want to stress Finn or put him under any duress with the evil twins. She didn’t want the same for Linda either. The twins were devil incarnates.

“Tell them it’s from Doctor Athena. Tell them I had another business meeting, so I couldn’t make the trip myself.”

Gianna nodded. “So I’ll drop you at the Dixons first.”

“Yes. I’m already late for the meeting.” Athena concurred smoothly.

Gianna darted her a sharp look, raising an eyebrow.

“What is it?” Athena swore that if it was yet another comment about her clothes and appearance, she would give her friend a knock.

“Check in my bag behind you. You’ll find a lip balm, powder, and perfume. At least organize yourself a bit… you don’t need the whole world to know you were at your lab.”

Athena sighed, giving in to Gianna’s insistence. She shook her head, turned aside, and grabbed Gianna’s bag, scoffing softly when she spotted the light makeup purse. “You carry this everywhere you go?” She asked, pulling the purse out.

“Of course,” Gianna replied nonchalantly. “A woman should always travel with these essentials. Emergencies happen; you shouldn’t be caught looking ugly or disheveled at any point in time.”

Athena’s expression as she watched her friend ramble was a mix of amusement and disbelief.

Why would one stress oneself unnecessarily? She wondered, dusting her face with powder while glancing into the small mirror. “Well, thank you… I won’t be looking like a homeless person this evening…”

Her sarcasm was evident, but Gianna could only chuckle, graciously accepting the compliment, her head tilted in laughter as if bowing.

Athena laughed too, then refocused on her tiny mission.

Ten minutes later, they were at the Dixons.

“Fighting!” Gianna exclaimed shortly as Athena opened the car door to step out.

Athena, surprised, turned to her friend. “Fighting for what?”

Gianna shrugged, adjusting the gearstick. “You may need it.”

Athena didn’t bother stressing herself over the comment, deciding instead to thank her friend for the help that day. She stepped out of the car and shut the door firmly behind her.

“See you later!” She waved, standing and watching as Gianna reversed out of the parking lot and into the bustling street.

Then she turned to the entrance of the café.

Her heartbeat quickened with every step she took, and she struggled to keep it calm, but it wasn’t working.

“Quit it!” She whisper-yelled, pausing to place a hand on her chest.

Inhaling deeply, she questioned herself, “You’ve met him before, so why are you beating like crazy?”

But then she recalled that her traitorous heart had skipped in those past encounters as well. Anger had driven her then, revenge too, hence she had managed to douse those unwelcome feelings.

“Well, nothing has changed…” She muttered as she allowed herself to sink into the memories of those cold years.

By the time she finished her little mental pep talk and baptism, her heart returned to a more normal rhythm, and a cold tint surfaced in her eyes.

Taking a final, steadying breath, she covered the distance and walked into the café. It didn’t take her more than a few seconds to spot Ewan a few meters away, seemingly…devouring ice cream?

He was the center of attention for the female clientele in the restaurant, even those who had come with their spouses.

She could certainly see the reason for that attraction.

Her heart rate, which had cautiously settled, suddenly kicked back into overdrive as she took in his striking visage.

Ewan had always been handsome, but here, perched in a cozy corner of the café with dimly colored lights around him, he looked… sexy, almost edible.

He savored the ice cream he held, relishing it slowly, almost as if he was romanticizing every lick. His focus remained so completely directed toward the dessert that she couldn’t be surprised he hadn’t noticed her yet.

Maybe she should have listened to Gianna.

She let out a soft curse when she realized the extent of her thoughts as she made her way toward him, acutely aware of the attention she was garnering with each deliberate step in his direction.

The admirers were undoubtedly envious, and Athena felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her, recalling that it was a good idea to have left her smelly coat in Gianna’s car.

“Hey…” Even her voice came out breathless as if startled by her own feelings.

Athena cursed herself internally. Behave yourself! She commanded, clearing her throat, though the action was interrupted midway when Ewan lifted his head, stared into her eyes, and smiled.

Athena’s grip tightened on the sling bag Gianna had convinced her to wear for the occasion—what was going on with her heart again?

“Athena, finally… I almost thought you wouldn’t be making it,” Ewan spoke calmly, standing to his feet, dwarfing her in an instant.

He walked to her side, drew out a seat, and gestured as a prince would. “Please, have a seat,” He said, still smiling down at her.

Athena cleared her throat again, her hold never loosening on her bag. She muttered a quick ‘thank you’ and sat down, her body tense as Ewan held the chair smartly and gently pushed it in.

“So, how was your day? It seems you’re coming directly from the hospital…” Ewan started as soon as he sat down, picking up the ice cream spoon.

“Yeah…” Athena muttered, her voice almost catching in her throat as she watched, almost enamored, as Ewan licked the ice cream off the spoon.

Did he perceive the scent of chemicals from her clothes? But she had worn some perfume!

And why in hell did he order the damn ice cream?! Was it on purpose?

“Do you want some?” Ewan asked, his attention fully on her now, breaking her thoughts.

“Yeah.”

“Do you still like chocolate?”

Athena nodded, not entirely shocked that he remembered. She has accepted that Ewan wasn’t entirely ignorant during their marriage.

She watched him call over the waiter, easily charming the female who seemed to be hanging on his every word, her eyelashes batting as he spoke to her.

A pang of irritation surged through Athena, as the waitress dipped her chest area lower, offering Ewan a generous view of her breast.

What?! She felt an acute urge to call the waitress to order and remind her to focus on her job rather than trying to seduce her client.

However, she caught herself just in time to question her motives and emotions. Was it the dim lighting that was affecting her perception?

Should she request a different ambiance? Because she wasn’t enjoying what she was feeling, or the memories it was resurrecting within her.

“Are you okay? You seem lost in thought. Is it about a patient?” Ewan’s concern dripped from his words like velvet, making it all the more unbearable for her.

Why was he doing this to her?

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just not used to this lighting,” She replied, her voice steadying just a bit. “Can we move somewhere with better lighting? I have to read the document, right?”