Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours! - Chapter 449

Chapter 449: Celebration

Athena was relieved for the umpteenth time as she shut the car door and started toward the porch of the Thorne’s mansion.

The morning air was crisp, brushing against her face like a quiet reassurance. Still, the relief running through her veins wasn’t from the weather—it was from knowing she had finally gotten the cure for the grey variant.

How else would she have calmed Geraldine, who had almost wearied her with her heart-wrenching sobs and fears?

It had taken her more than five minutes to calm the distraught woman, another to assure her that her husband would be taken care of, and yet another round of soothing when she instructed Geraldine to remain in the hospital with her kids so they could be tested—to see if they had been contaminated.

Athena had even urged her to inform the neighbors through their common group chat.

She was so wrapped in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the stillness in the environment at first. Not until she opened the door—and met no one. Not even her children barreling toward her like they always did.

Her brows furrowed slightly. Were they all still at the hospital? The silence in the house felt unnatural, thick with absence. It was too early for such stillness.

She had thought she would meet up with them before they left for the hospital. The twins, especially—they should be preparing for school by now.

But from the heavy quiet that greeted her, it was clear no one was home.

She was just about to turn away when she saw one of the servants enter the living room with a broom.

“Good morning, Miss Athena,” the middle-aged woman greeted softly, a warm, deferential smile curving her lips.

“Good morning, Agnes,” Athena returned, her tone distracted but polite. “Have they been back this morning? I haven’t seen anyone yet.”

Agnes nodded, her fingers tightening on the broom handle. “They left a couple of minutes ago, ma’am. You just missed them.” She paused, hesitating briefly. “Would you like something to eat as you freshen up for the day’s work—or will you be turning in to sleep?”

“Just an apple would be fine. Lemon water too,” Athena said, watching the maid scurry off. Her gaze, however, drifted unfocused into space.

Did something happen with Florence? Was that why they were all camping there? Including my friends? Or… why bother myself with thoughts when I can just call them?

Pulling her phone from her bag, she dialed Gianna’s number. It rang, but no answer. She frowned slightly, tried Chelsea next—and got the same result.

The unease that had been quietly slumbering in her chest began to stir. The events leading up to this day had kept Athena’s guards raised; her heart’s rhythm kicked up another notch.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of Rodney.

“Boss,” he called, his tone calm but alert. “They want to know if they are to wait or deliver the batch of drugs to the hospital—considering its urgency.”

“They should wait,” Athena replied without hesitation, already turning toward the hallway. “I’ll soon be out.”

There was no such thing as long sleep for her these days—not until she had defeated the evil stain threatening her city once and for all.

Moments later, she emerged from the hallway looking crisp and composed in a pair of tailored grey slacks and a soft yellow shirt. Her signature handbag rested on her shoulder, and her hair—still slightly damp from a quick rinse—fell in gentle waves around her face.

“Let’s go,” she said to Rodney, who had made himself comfortable on one of the sofas, an apple half-eaten in his hand.

Athena arched a brow at the sight, picked up the medium-sized apple left on the plate, took a small, precise bite, then downed the lemon water in one shot. Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked briskly out of the sitting room, Rodney following close behind.

As commanded, the men Ewan had assigned to her were waiting by the car. Seeing her, they stood upright, abandoning their relaxed postures, and hurried to open the doors.

Athena caught one of them speaking into an earpiece, his voice low and clipped. She wondered briefly who he was reporting to—Ewan, perhaps, or another team stationed elsewhere.

The ride to the hospital was swift. When they arrived, Athena noticed immediately that the measures she had instructed to be put in place were already in full session. The nurses in the reception area, as well as the other staff, were all properly equipped with gloves and masks.

The triage route she had ordered was clearly marked—an isolated corridor leading to a specialized ward where anyone infected with the grey virus or its variant would be contained.

“Any new sightings?” Athena asked the nurse at the front desk as she adjusted her own mask—the one the guard at the entrance had handed her. It would do well to lead by example.

The nurse shook her head. “None for today yet, Doctor. Maybe they’re taking their time?”

Athena sighed quietly, glancing toward the entrance where the guards were unloading the drug batches. She reached out, tapped the nurse’s gloved hand lightly in appreciation, and moved away.

But her heart gave a small jolt when she stepped into her office space and didn’t see Ciara at her desk. Where has she gone?

Her fingers tightened around her phone as she dialed the secretary’s number. It rang—once, twice—but like with her friends, there was no answer.

Athena inhaled deeply, twice. Maybe she hasn’t come in yet?

Her foot tapped lightly on the tiled floor, the sound sharp in the stillness. I should have checked in on her before leaving the house.

Unable to stay still, she left her office after dropping her bag. She decided she would visit her grandmother—and her family—while at it.

Hadn’t the maid mentioned they’d all left the house this morning? Maybe she was worrying for nothing. Maybe Ciara was with them.

Still, her steps quickened toward the ward, the soft rhythm of her heels echoing faintly along the corridor.

She halted when she spotted Stella approaching from the opposite end.

“Do you know the men carrying some cartons?” Stella asked, her tone cautious. “They mentioned—”

Athena nodded before she could finish. “It should be kept in my personal lab. You already have the keys to that.”

Stella’s eyes softened with gratitude. “Thank you for your hardwork, Doctor. I don’t know what we would have done without you. The city too…”

Athena smiled faintly, placing a gentle hand on Stella’s shoulder. “Thank you too—for being trustworthy. I’ll see you around?”

“Of course, Doctor Athena,” Stella replied with a small nod before heading off.

When Athena finally reached her grandmother’s ward—the private one with two adjoining rooms—she paused briefly outside the door. The silence from within gave her a strange, anticipatory feeling.

She pushed open the door.

And in that instant, she was met with a burst of noise and color—

“Happy birthday!”

A chorus from her family and friends alike, their faces beaming, voices warm with affection, while confetti fluttered like bright snowflakes in the air.