From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 352

**Her Rise 352**
**From Betrayal to Brilliance: Her Rise to a New Life**

**Chapter 352: The Untouched Cookies**

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**Finished**

It felt as if an invisible barrier had been erected around her, one that kept her at a distance from the other parents. They seemed determined to prevent her from stepping into their circle, to truly get to know her.

Athena and Teri had merely been exploring, innocently trying to engage with others, yet each time they were met with cold shoulders and disinterested glances. This consistent rejection began to gnaw at Athena, planting seeds of doubt in her mind.

In that moment of realization, a clarity washed over her.

She was being deliberately excluded by the other parents!

But surprisingly, she found herself unfazed by it. After all, she had navigated through far more challenging situations in her life.

The memories of her time with Lewis surfaced, reminding her of the trials she had faced back then. Those were days filled with strife, yet she had never faltered. So, being sidelined like this was merely a minor annoyance in comparison.

Before long, the homeroom teacher approached, her presence commanding attention as she gathered all the parents to explain the agenda for the day.

“Today,” she announced, her voice ringing with enthusiasm, “we will share the delicious dishes we’ve brought, taste each other’s culinary creations, and then kick off the sports games!”

Athena felt a flicker of excitement as she retrieved the cookies she had prepared, carefully lifting the lid of the box and placing it on the table with a sense of pride.

Zaden had mentioned they were store-bought dough, but they looked delightful. The vibrant cartoon animal shapes were sure to catch the eyes of the children, and Athena envisioned them eagerly reaching for the treats.

Teri, however, stared at the cookies her father had made, her anticipation palpable. She expected the other kids to rush over and grab some, but to her dismay, no one moved. A frown creased her little face, and she began to sink into disappointment.

Why aren’t they eating Dad’s cookies?

Is it because they think they’re gross?

With a gentle tug on Athena’s sleeve, Teri’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Mommy, why isn’t anyone eating Daddy’s cookies? Is it because his cooking tastes bad?”

Athena’s heart ached at her daughter’s words. “I secretly tried one before we left home. It actually tasted really good.”

Athena sighed softly, recognizing the sadness in Teri’s eyes. This sweet girl didn’t understand that the issue wasn’t the quality of the cookies, but rather the social dynamics at play. The other parents were intentionally isolating them, and it was a cruel game they were playing.

**Chapter 352: The Untouched Cookies**

Everything felt too orchestrated, as if it had been meticulously planned.

£68

**Finished**

Athena knelt down to Teri’s level, her voice soothing as she said, “We can’t control what others think, sweetheart. If they don’t want to eat the cookies, that’s their choice. We’ll just pack them up and enjoy them at home. Besides, I haven’t even tried your dad’s cookies yet.”

A smile broke across Teri’s face, her spirits lifting at her mother’s words.

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