The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Should Leave You There

Just then, the Duke of Suffield—Henry Monson—walked into the room.

His commanding gaze swept over everyone before lingering for a moment on Athena. Then, turning to Margaret, he bowed respectfully. “Mother.”

Margaret quickly waved him up. “No need for that, get up.”

After he rose, Nicolas and Willow both greeted him warmly. “Father.”

Only Athena, calm and detached, said, “Duke of Suffield.”

That one phrase froze the air in the room.

Henry frowned, as if he hadn’t heard her right. “What did you call me?”

A hint of anger crept into his expression.

Athena lowered her eyes and repeated softly, “Duke of Suffield.”

Smack! The sound of the slap echoed through the hall as Athena’s head snapped to the side.

“You ungrateful thing. Three years in the camp, and you still haven’t learned a single ounce of humility?” he roared.

He continued, “Calling me ‘Duke of Suffield’—what, you trying to cut ties with the family? If you still don’t know your place, go back to the military camp and stay there! We don’t need a disgrace like you in this household!”

Eloise rushed forward, throwing her arms around Athena protectively. “Enough! If you have to hit someone, then hit me!”

Margaret rose to her feet, trembling with fury, and lifted her cane to strike Henry.

Tears streamed down her face as she shouted, “Do you have any idea what she’s been through these past three years? And now, right in front of me, you hit her? You might as well be hitting me!”

She had only just started to mend Athena’s wounded heart. And now, with a single slap, he’d torn it wide open again. He was her father. Her biological father.

Margaret tried to fight for her—but her cane never landed. The moment she raised it, servants rushed in and stopped her. She didn’t even touch his robes.

Athena stood silently off to the side, watching the chaos unfold, her expression cold and unreadable.

She thought, ‘So this is the family that promises never to hurt me again. How absurd.’

Eloise turned in a panic to check Athena’s face—but before she could, a sudden cry rang out. It was Willow.

Everyone turned. A thin trail of blood was trickling from her temple.

The room fell dead silent.

Henry’s face twisted in alarm as he called out, “Quick! Call the physician!”

Nicolas’s eyes were red, his brows deeply furrowed. He looked like he’d rather have taken the injury himself. He said, “Why would you rush in like that? What if it scars? She can handle it—she’s used to it. But you? You’re delicate. You shouldn’t be hurt like this…”

Willow’s voice was soft and trembling, her eyes filled with tears that clung to her lashes. “I was just scared Father might get hurt… I didn’t even think. I just moved.”

When Willow spoke, Henry’s heart ached even more.

Everyone in the room hovered around Willow, fussing over her.

Meanwhile, Athena stood quietly to the side, her cheek visibly swollen—yet no one paid her any attention.

She said nothing. A flicker of cold amusement passed through her eyes.

When Henry slapped her, Eloise didn’t even flinch.

But the moment Willow was accidentally hurt, that same “mother” had panicked like her life depended on it.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify