Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours! - Chapter 512

Chapter 512: Where She Belonged

Athena returned home in a bright, almost sing-song mood, the type of mood that floated around her like warm sunlight. Even the weight of needing strong witnesses for the case didn’t drain her; she refused to let it.

She breezed into the mansion humming softly, her steps light, her shoulders relaxed. But she stopped mid-hum when she walked into the living room.

Everyone was there—her entire family, friends included—waiting, talking softly among themselves until they noticed her. The sight warmed her chest all over again.

She had thought it countless times, but moments like these made it hit harder: this community was one of the universe’s biggest blessings to her. She felt it to her bones.

She didn’t waste time. The children rushed to her first, and Athena dropped playful, loud kisses on the tops of their heads, making them squeal. She ruffled Cairo’s hair next; the little girl offered her a faint, barely-there smile, but it was there—soft, shy, still healing—and Athena’s heart squeezed.

She greeted her grandparents, her voice warm, before turning to the rest of the room. Then, without hesitation, she plopped onto the space beside Ewan—the same spot Sandro had just vacated, knowing better to give the couple their space.

Smiling, Athena leaned in and pressed a shy kiss to Ewan’s cheek.

“Oooh,” the family chorused at once.

Athena’s cheeks warmed, and she buried her face briefly against Ewan’s shoulder while he chuckled, sliding an arm around her waist.

Kissing Ewan boldly in front of her family and friends never ceased to make her shy. She had given up trying to understand the why, believing it would fade away with time.

“So,” Areso asked teasingly, “how did it go?”

The memory hit her, and Athena couldn’t stop the slow smile that spread over her lips. Her grandfather, watching her closely, shook his head with a resigned little sigh—but he was smiling too, and she could see the pride tucked behind his eyes.

“It went better than I planned,” Athena said, leaning back a bit, a quiet satisfaction colouring her voice. “I wish I had captured his face.”

Laughs echoed in the living room, even as she went into more details.

When she was done, she exhaled, then brought up the matter that had been sitting in the back of her mind—the witnesses. Immediately, the room softened with concern.

Ewan squeezed her waist gently. “It’s been taken care of.”

Athena turned to him with a raised brow, with an uncertain smile. “Taken care of?”

He nodded once, unbothered, confident. “Connor and the old boss will be witnesses.”

Athena’s smile faltered. “But… their freedom, Ewan. Won’t that put them at risk? Connor especially—”

“I have it under control,” he said, his voice steady, warm, reassuring in a way only he could manage. “I promise.”

She stared at him for a second longer, then slowly let the worry dissolve. If Ewan said he had it handled, then he did. She trusted him with every part of herself.

A small, relieved breath left her, and she melted into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder, ignoring her friends’ suggestive winks, accepting the comfortable silence.

Kathleen and Nathaniel came over seconds later, hugging her tightly, her and Ewan, kissing their cheeks, murmuring goodnights with sleepy little voices.

Athena gathered them close, breathing in their familiar warmth. “…I love you too.”

That was when she noticed Cairo standing a little away, her eyes full of something wistful—nostalgia, longing, a quiet ache for something she had lost.

She lifted a hand and waved the little girl over gently.

Cairo blinked, surprised—she hadn’t expected that—but her feet moved on instinct, carrying her toward Athena.

Athena leaned away from Ewan and opened her arms wide.

Cairo hesitated for a split second… then stepped into the hug.

Athena wrapped her in a soft but firm bear hug, one hand coming up to cup the back of her head. Cairo’s small hands finally lifted, settling around Athena’s waist in a shy, uncertain embrace that tugged at everyone’s heart.

“Goodnight, Cairo,” Athena whispered, kissing her forehead with the gentlest press of lips.

The girl nodded, eyes shining with something fragile, something slowly mending. She stepped back, gave a tiny wave, and led the twins away toward their rooms.

Athena watched them go before sinking back into Ewan’s arms. He dropped a tender kiss to her forehead, murmuring softly, “You’re a hero, you know.”

Across the room, her grandparents were smiling too,, full of affection. Wishes of goodnight started to float through the air as people began to stand.

Athena sighed contentedly, muscles relaxing. “I think… I’ll retire for the night,” she said, even though her eyes lingered on Ewan, silently wanting more time with him. They were alone in the sitting room.

But Ewan shook his head playfully. “Not yet.”

Her heart gave a small, startled flutter. “Not yet?”

“I have something for you.” His voice lowered, warm, heavy with meaning.

Oh.

Of course he did.

Of course he had planned something. It was written all over his face.

He stood and offered his hand. She slipped hers into it instantly, her pulse jumping as he led her out of the mansion and toward the cottage—the same cottage where they’d shared their first birthday dinner together. She felt her heartbeat pick up with every step.

Another dinner?

When they reached the small path leading to the cottage, she gasped softly.

Flowers. Scattered across the ground in a delicate, winding trail—soft petals forming a path that seemed to glow under the warm lights leading to the door. Reds, pinks, whites, petals like confetti and whispers of romance.

Her breath caught. She gripped Ewan’s hand tighter, overwhelmed, her heart slipping into that warm, consuming feeling she could never fully describe—love, deep and endless.

The cottage itself was glowing softly, the windows lit from inside with a golden hue. When he pushed the door open, she almost forgot to breathe.

The interior had been transformed again—like stepping into a fairytale. Candles flickered everywhere, dancing light spilling across the wooden floor. The table was set beautifully, warm food waiting, gifts arranged neatly on one side. Soft music played in the background, something slow and warm.

She turned to him, her eyes wide, voice barely above a whisper. “What—what are we celebrating?”

Ewan only shrugged, that familiar half-smile tugging at his lips. “Must there be a reason to celebrate you?”

Her breath stalled.

Before she could respond, he took her face between his hands and kissed her. Not lightly. Not teasingly. But with a kind of hunger he’d been holding back all evening.

He kissed her like he’d been waiting all day for this moment—slow, deep, gentle and wild all at once. Athena melted into him, fingers curling into his shirt, her heart pounding everywhere at once.

Maybe he meant to wait. Maybe he’d planned to start with the food or the gifts or some speech he had tucked away—

But the moment he kissed her, everything inside him snapped.

He didn’t know if he could wait for anything else… not when she was right here, soft, warm, tasting like everything he had ever wanted.

And Athena—gods—Athena kissed him back with every drop of emotion she’d been holding in her chest. Her world tilted, warmth rushing through her body, her mind going blank except for the feel of him.

The fairytale setting faded. All forgotten.

There was only him. And her.

And the overwhelming certainty that this—this—was exactly where she belonged.