The Pretender and The Prince novel Chapter 53

With Seth and Zaria gone, the huge villa felt empty and quiet.

Ondine found herself instinctively glancing at the room across the hall whenever she left her own. Before, she would sometimes run into Seth as they were both leaving their rooms. He’d be dressed in either a sharp suit or casual loungewear, and she would greet him with a soft, “Good morning, Seth.” He would respond with a cool nod.

Now, the door remained closed, a quiet reminder that he was back in Riverdale.

The spacious dining room downstairs felt lonely with only her at the table. To fill the time, Ondine spent more and more of her days at the hospital with her mother, her life settling into a simple routine between the villa and the medical center.

Hayden and Jolie Thorne returned to Riverdale a few days into the New Year. On their third day back, Jolie’s close friend, Forrest Monroe, came to visit with his wife and their daughter, Athena.

Athena, a literature graduate from Columbia University, had a scholarly, gentle air about her. Dressed in a cream-colored coat with her long, straight hair, she looked like the very picture of a well-bred young lady from a family of academics. She greeted everyone with a soft, melodious voice that was instantly endearing.

Jolie was utterly charmed. She beamed at the young woman, gesturing with her hand. “Athena, my dear, I haven’t seen you in years! The last time I saw you, you were only this high. Look at you now, all grown up into a beautiful, poised young woman.”

Athena smiled gracefully. “It has been a long time. I’ve been looking forward to visiting you.”

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