Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours! - Chapter 465

Chapter 465: Successful Engagement

The road stretched ahead like a ribbon of silver beneath the waning light. The sun had dipped low, painting the sky in shades of gold and amber that bled into the horizon. Athena sat back in the car, her gaze distant as the city blurred past. The rhythmic hum of the engine filled the silence, but her mind was nowhere near still.

Her thoughts stayed on the Grey variant. The patients she had tested that morning were stabilizing now, their vitals normalizing. That should have been a comfort. It wasn’t.

She rubbed a hand across her face, eyes tired. Every victory with the virus seemed to birth a new shadow. And after this evening’s interview—the moment her discovery went live—the world would know that the cure existed. Which meant the people who didn’t want it to exist would know too.

What would the gang do next?

Whoever was behind the spread had resources, coordination—and no hesitation to kill. The President’s infection had proven that much. They wouldn’t stop now. Not after she’d declared the battle nearly won on live television.

Her phone buzzed against her thigh, but she ignored it. She didn’t want another alert. Not yet.

“Ma’am, we’re almost at the Thorne’s mansion,” the driver said, breaking the silence.

Athena blinked, the name snapping her from the spiral of thoughts. The Thorne mansion—her home, her family’s pride, and tonight, the site of what was supposed to be her engagement celebration.

Her heart gave an uneasy twist.

The car turned off the main road, tires crunching softly as they entered the long, tree-lined drive leading to the mansion. Somewhere beyond those trees, she could already hear faint laughter and music—the soft strains of violin and chatter floating through the air.

Was it still private? she wondered.

And Antonio…

Her throat tightened. Was he here already?

She leaned slightly forward, peering out the window. The second car parked by the gate answered the question before she could finish it in her mind. Sleek, dark, unmistakably Antonio’s.

Her pulse stuttered. He had arrived early. Of course he had.

The driver slowed to a stop before the gate, and Athena exhaled softly, pressing her palm against her thigh to steady herself. Whatever doubts she had would have to wait. The engagement was happening tonight.

She had chosen this path, hadn’t she?

“Thank you,” she murmured to the driver.

When the car stopped completely, she took one last deep breath before stepping out. The evening air wrapped around her—cool and fragrant, carrying the faint scent of blooming lilies from her grandmother’s gardens.

Just ahead, she spotted Gianna, chatting animatedly with one of the guards near a stack of wrapped boxes. Athena caught the words “delivery” and “wrong address” before Gianna noticed her.

“Athena!” Gianna’s face lit up with a mischievous grin as she waved her over. “The latest bride-to-be finally arrives!”

Athena winced, cheeks warming. “Don’t start,” she said, but Gianna ignored her, pulling her into a tight hug.

“You look exhausted,” Gianna murmured, drawing back slightly to study her face. “You’ve been at work again, haven’t you?”

“Guilty,” Athena admitted, smiling faintly.

Gianna rolled her eyes. “You’ll fix the world before you fix your sleep schedule.”

“Probably,” Athena replied with a small laugh.

Gianna gestured toward the side of the mansion. “Come, this way. We’ll use the east stairs. The main hall’s a disaster right now—decorations everywhere. Your grandmother has been rearranging everything like she’s hosting the royal gala.”

Athena chuckled, following her friend along a narrower stone path shaded by wisteria vines. The back route was blissfully quiet, away from guests and prying eyes.

“She’s stronger than all of us,” Gianna said lightly as they approached the side entrance.

“That she is,” Athena agreed, shaking her head fondly. Her grandmother, for all her age, was a force of nature. It didn’t matter that she had been sick days ago. A phone was all she needed to call down the world.

Gianna led her up the stairway to her room, still chatting about the chaos downstairs—misplaced flowers, delayed catering, and an orchestra that had threatened to quit over electrical wiring.

By the time they entered Athena’s room, Athena felt the faintest relief of escape. The familiar scent of lavender filled the air. Her clothes had been laid out neatly on the bed—an elegant gown of soft ivory silk, delicate and graceful.

Gianna threw herself onto the edge of the bed, kicking off her heels. “So,” she said with a teasing smile, “how are we feeling? Nervous? Excited? About to bolt through the window?”

Athena raised a brow. “What do you think?”

“Definitely the last one,” Gianna grinned.

They both laughed.

When the laughter faded, Gianna tilted her head. “Seriously though. Do you think this is what you want? With Antonio?”

Athena hesitated, her smile faltering. What did she want?

She had told herself countless times that it made sense—Antonio was stable, respectable, someone trusted. But she couldn’t shake the hollow echo in her chest whenever she thought about marrying him.

“He’s… fine,” she said finally, giving the answer she knew Gianna wanted to hear.

Gianna’s eyes narrowed, as if she could see through the polite deflection, but she let it go. “You sound thrilled.”

Athena smirked. “I’m just tired.”

Gianna leaned back on her palms, her gaze thoughtful. “You know, Antonio used to be fun. Then he became weird.”

Athena blinked. “Weird?”

“Mm,” Gianna nodded. “When we were in college, he was different—friendly, open, even charming in his quiet way. But then he changed. Isolated himself. It was strange. He didn’t let people in easily after that. Honestly, I was surprised when he agreed to take you in all those years ago.”

Athena was nonplussed.

Gianna shrugged. “Simply, Antonio doesn’t like strangers. Never did. He barely spoke to anyone outside his work circles. That’s why I thought it was odd—but you were desperate, and he had space. Then, I was just grateful that you won’t be stranded.”

Athena smiled faintly, imagining it. “And I’m grateful for that Gianna.” a apuse. “Thank you.”

Gianna waved the thanks away.

But Athena was already thinking. Antonio being weird? Why had he accepted her in his house? Defended her even?

Her mind chased that thread until a sharp knock startled both women.

The door burst open to reveal Chelsea flanked by Areso, both wearing matching looks of horror.

“Are you serious right now?” Chelsea shrieked. “You’re not even dressed? The engagement is about to start!”

Athena blinked, halfway between amusement and guilt. “Already?”

“Yes, already!” Areso said, eyes wide. “People are seated! Your grandmother is about to explode!”

Gianna burst into laughter as Chelsea rushed forward, grabbing Athena’s wrist.

“Bathroom. Now.”

“Wait, I—”

“No excuses!” Chelsea barked, shoving her gently toward the adjoining door. “You can save the world after you put on the dress.”