The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 6

6 /609

Chapter 6 Replace Her

The next day, Athena was summoned to Margaret’s courtyard.

When she arrived, Willow was already there, kneeling obediently beside Margaret, gently massaging her legs.

The moment Athena walked in, Willow scrambled to her feet in a panic. She greeted her timidly, “Athena,” then quickly stepped aside to give up her spot, looking every bit the picture of meekness and quiet suffering.

Nicolas frowned, clearly displeased. His voice was low and stern. “Willow, you’re also raised under this roof. You don’t need to act so pitiful in front of her.”

Then he shot Athena a sharp look, his eyes full of disdain. “No one in this house owes you anything. Who are you putting on that sour face for every day?”

Eloise gave a light cough into her handkerchief. “Nicolas, that’s enough.”

Nicolas glanced at her, then held his tongue—but his expression remained cold, and his eyes, harsh.

Athena understood then—he was speaking up for Eloise. He must have heard that she’d turned Eloise away the night before.

She looked over at Eloise, who wore a stiff, embarrassed expression.

Eloise seemed to want to say something, but when her eyes met Athena’s icy gaze, she lost her nerve and backed off. Annoyed, she turned and snapped at Nicolas, “Go check if your grandmother’s medicine is ready.”

He knew perfectly well she was trying to send him away—and truthfully, he had no desire to face Athena’s cold stare any longer. With a flick of his sleeve, he stormed out.

“Such a temper,” Margaret muttered once he was gone, then beckoned to Athena. “Athena, come here. Sit with Grandmother.”

Athena came forward and sat beside her. Margaret took her hand, her voice warm and affectionate. “You’ve had a hard time.”

Athena placed her hand gently over hers. “As long as I have you, Grandmother, it hasn’t been so hard.”

Margaret let out a long sigh, then got to the point. “Athena, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Of course, Grandmother. Please speak.”

“Do you still care for Michael? Is he really the only one for you?” There was hesitation in her eyes, and a deep, pained concern in her expression.

Ever since Athena returned to the estate, the Osborne family had sent someone—very discreetly—to suggest replacing her in the engagement.

Not wanting Athena to be humiliated, Margaret had sent them away under a pretense.

Athena understood immediately. “They want to call off the engagement?”

She had spent three long years locked away in a military camp—her reputation utterly ruined. Of course the Osborne family would no longer want a disgraced woman as a daughter-in-law.

Margaret nodded, clearly struggling to say it aloud. “It’s not quite breaking it off… They just want to marry someone else instead.”

Athena’s eyes shifted to Willow, who quickly looked away, guilt written all over her face as she lowered her head.

It all made sense now.

Her reputation was in tatters. If the Osborne family officially broke the engagement, it would offend the Monson family and create bad blood.

But they didn’t want her anymore. Swapping her for Willow—pure, innocent Willow—would be the perfect compromise. And more importantly, Willow was willing.