Chapter 14
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However, in Finland, the New Year wasn’t celebrated in the same way. There were no streets decked out in red, no festive atmosphere, only a few government banners and quiet celebrations organized by the American expat community.
Athena quietly lay on the bed, her eyes scanning the messages on social media.
The manager of the wedding planning company had posted the year’s event summary. The wedding venue Athena had meticulously designed, one she had imagined for herself, was now booked by someone else. It had become the most sought–after wedding scene in the city.
Green silk and white petals cascaded in layers, a vision of life blossoming like early
summer.
As Athena looked at the photos, her thoughts of Emmett grew stronger and
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more consuming. A heavy wave of emotion washed over her, and she felt an
inexplicable urge to turn off the screen and stop reading altogether.
At the perfect moment, fireworks exploded outside the window, their bursts lighting up the night sky. Athena lay on her side, gazing out, the weight of loneliness pressing down on her.
Another firework bloomed, dazzling and fleeting, leaving only wisps of smoke in its wake.
“Look, this is Eira‘ s second time watching fireworks!”
Athena gently cradled Eira in her arms, lifting her so the little one could see the vibrant bursts above.
Eira was a bit startled at first but found courage in her mother‘ s soothing voice, her gaze fixed on the sky. The fireworks were bigger and brighter than anything she had ever seen, and for a moment, she was
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mesmerized, lost in the beauty.
When the last spark faded, Eira nestled her head into Athena‘ s shoulder, pressing her forehead gently against her neck.
“Mommy, are you thinking about Daddy?”
“No, Daddy has gone to a very far place.”
Eira studied her mother‘ s face, her tiny brow furrowing with doubt, but she didn’t question her. Whatever Mommy said was the truth, and she would never
argue.
In the end, Eira curled up against her mother’s shoulder; her small body relaxed in sleep. She didn’t think about Daddy anymore; her world was complete with just her mommy.
Maplewood City, as the year came to a close, was filled with the usual buzz of activity. It was time for the Davidson family’s annual rites, a tradition that weighed heavily on Emmett’s mind. Hist thoughts scattered, so he decided to make
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an extra trip to visit the Chancellor family’s parents‘ graves.
But when he reached the graveyard, memories guiding his steps, he froze.
The graves, once standing tall, marked with the memory of the Chancellor family, had vanished, leaving nothing but empty earth where they once lay.
Emmett stood still, his heart pounding. Not matter how many times he rubbed hist eyes, the sight remained the same. The graves were gone, replaced by nothing but flat, untouched ground.
The bodyguards, equally stunned, stood frozen, unsure of what had just unfolded. They quickly pulled out the grave keeper, the only one who might have answers.
“Where did the graves go?” Emmett‘ s voice sliced through the air, sharp and filled with an unspoken tension.
The grave keeper‘ s face turned pale, his words stumbling out in fear.
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“Half a year ago, Ms. Chancellor moved the graves… She said you‘ d agreed. Since you once said she could do anything with the Davidson family, I… I didn’t feel I should bother you…”
“Moved them…” Emmett repeated, his mind struggling to catch up with the shock. Half a year ago?
His vision blurred for a moment as the weight of those words hit him. He staggered backward, feeling as though he had been struck by a thunderbolt, his legs threatening to give way beneath him.
Athena must have known long before now… She had moved her parents‘ graves silently, without him ever knowing.
And all this time, he had been so
meticulous, so careful in hiding his own.
secrets.
Just as the storm of disbelief settled in, the person Emmett had sent to investigate Aliana finally returned.
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Seeing Emmett so crestfallen, the man instinctively pulled back, his shoulders. tensing as he hurriedly handed over a thick stack of documents.
“Mr. Davidson… we uncovered numerous. records showing Athena and Aliana contacting each other…”
Emmett‘ s eyes snapped open wide, his hand quickly snatching the file from the man’s grasp. He hadn’t even glimpsed its contents yet, but the moment he did, it struck him like a punch to the gut.
The file was filled with chat logs and dense, relentless exchanges, each one a
provocative message from Aliana aimed squarely at Athena.
Emmett‘ s breath caught, his pulse racing. He couldn’t tear his eyes away as the full weight of the shocking revelation hit him.
