From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67 Turmoil at the Belmonts

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Zaden had barely parked when he stepped forward to open Athena’s door. Words stuck in her throat; she swallowed them down.

They walked into the villa together. Athena and Teri dropped onto the sofa.

Teri blinked up at Athena with those huge, curious eyes.

She asked, blunt as a child, “Athena, that boy–isn’t he your son?”

Athena froze for a beat. Then, a small smile tugged her lips.

“No. He’s someone else’s child. I played his mother for eight years. It’s time to give him back.”

Dion had clung to her like family. Maybe blood did mean something after all.

Returning him to Nina felt right.

She couldn’t help but feel sorry for her daughter …

Still, Athena’s chest ached for the daughter she’d carried and never met.

“Athena, if you don’t have a child, I can be your child! I’m good. I won’t make you sad.”

Teri’s face lit with a stubborn, hopeful brightness.

Athena almost laughed–it was touching, childish, but impossible.

She replied softly, “If I’m going to be your mother, I’d have to marry your father.”

“Then marry Daddy!”

Teri declared without hesitation. The timing was perfect–Zaden came in, carrying a cup of

water.

Athena stiffened. He’d heard. Talk about awkward!

She forced a smile, a tinge of guilt in her heart. “Kids say things, Mr. Storm. Don’t mind her.”

Zaden didn’t flinch. He set the warm cup in her hands and asked in a calm, steady voice, “What’s for dinner tonight?”

When he treated it like nothing, relief washed over her.

Athena said, thinking aloud, “Given what happened at the Belmonts, we shouldn’t go out. Let’s

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Chapter 67 Turmoil at the Belmonts

eat here. If there’s food, I’ll cook.”

:

As soon as she said that, she froze. She’d just assumed Zaden and Teri would stay.

Wait–hadn’t he driven her back?

How did this turn into dinner plans?

At the Belmont estate, the mood was heavy as rain.

Jerome had collapsed during the birthday banquet after Lewis’s scandal blew hospitalized and was only just stabilized.

The family gathered in the living room, voices low and sharp.

Only one face betrayed delight: Nina.

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up;

he’d been

She sat in the corner, expectant. She believed this scandal would finally force Lewis to marry her.

After all, everyone now knew she was Dion’s mother.

“Lewis, you’re not a child. You caused this, and you put your grandfather in the hospital. Do you want him dead to be satisfied?” Alaric’s family snapped, their tone dripping with sarcasm.

“It was supposed to be a good reception. Now, Vlephia is laughing at us.”

“Luckily, grandpa’s out of danger. If not, who knows what would’ve happened—thank heaven he pulled through.”

“If anyone’s to blame, it’s Lewis. You could’ve married any woman, and no one would’ve complained. But to pull some baby–swap stunt like this? The neighbors don’t even know what to say. I’m ashamed to leave the house.”

“I think Bridget’s partly to blame.” Carina’s mouth twisted with a sneer.

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