From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 405

Chapter 405 We’re Family Now

Why… are they here?

A trace of bewilderment and confusion flashed through Athena’s eyes.

Finished

Their gazes were all focused on her, filled with undisguised concern and a kind of indescribable, extremely complex deep emotion.

Zaden immediately leaned down, bringing his face close to her ear, explaining in an extremely soft and gentle voice. “Athena, your condition was extremely dangerous this time. You lost too much blood. It was your father and your brothers who donated blood for you. They saved your life.”

His words were concise yet contained the most crucial information.

Hearing this, Athena immediately understood.

So that’s what happened. They came to save her!

Which meant… Zaden already knew about that relationship between her and Fabio that she’d always been unwilling to face, that she’d deliberately avoided.

Fabio’s identity was too heavy and complicated for Athena.

Combined with her mother’s lifetime of loneliness and the absence she’d felt throughout her childhood, she’d always turned a blind eye to it, unwilling to acknowledge or face the truth.

But at this moment, hearing that they’d used their own blood to pull her back from death’s door, something seemed to violently strike the hardest, coldest corner of her heart. A piece suddenly caved in.

A warmth she’d never experienced before, of being silently protected and cared for by a powerful force, surged out.

She stared blankly at Fabio, at the genuine deep care in his eyes that couldn’t be faked, at that heavy guilt. and present tenderness, at his features that vaguely resembled her own.

Fabio stood up and walked to the bedside.

His steps no longer carried their usual swift decisiveness and commanding presence. Instead, they held a hesitation and nervousness completely at odds with his status.

Fabio gazed at his daughter’s pale, weak face. A thousand words stuck in his throat, churning and surging.

In the end, they transformed into the simplest yet most guilt–ridden and tender words. “Athena, how are you feeling? I’m so sorry we came too late. You suffered so much.”

His words, “Athena, I’m sorry,” instantly struck the softest place in Athena’s heart.

Her tears seemed to have a will of their own, breaking free and sliding down her pale cheeks, disappearing into the pillow.

She opened her mouth. Her throat was dry, unable to produce a clear sound.

14:36 Wed, Dec 10 B.

Chapter 405 We’re Family Now

She could only nod slightly but forcefully.

75

Finished

No explanations or confessions were needed. That natural connection deep in their blood, in this moment, transcended all past estrangement and resentment.

Seeing his daughter’s silent yet clear acceptance, Fabio’s eyes suddenly grew hot. The emotions he’d suppressed for so long nearly broke through.

He finally truly felt that the thick layer of ice between father and daughter had cracked open.

Athena was no longer completely resistant to him. Instead, she showed him a daughter’s vulnerable yet genuine emotions.

This realization made him so moved that his fingertips trembled.

Zaden watched this scene, his heart filled with overwhelming emotion.

He gently wiped away the tears from Athena’s cheeks, his movements as tender as if handling a priceless treasure, softly comforting her. “Don’t get worked up. Take it slow. Your health comes first. In the future. we’ll have all the time in the world.”

He deliberately emphasized “we” and “in the future.”

Then he raised his head, looking at Fabio and the two brothers with sincere eyes, his tone solemn. “Thank you all! From now on, we’re family.”

Fabio looked at Zaden gripping his daughter’s hand tightly, at the undisguised deep love and firm protectiveness in his eyes toward his daughter. The last bit of doubt in his heart vanished completely.

He finally showed a truly relieved and immensely gratified smile.

Preston and Kit also exchanged smiles, casting looks of complete approval and acceptance toward Zaden.

Surviving a disaster, reunited by blood, with her beloved by her side.

All the suffering, struggles, and waiting seemed to receive fate’s generous compensation and gift in this

moment.

Although Athena’s body was still wrapped in weakness and pain, her heart was tightly enveloped by an unprecedented warm and secure feeling.

It was that grounded feeling of having roots, that sense of security of being surrounded by love. She squeezed back against Zaden’s broad, warm hand, her gaze slowly sweeping over her father and brothers by the bedside.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify