The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 127

hapter 127

Coming to her senses, Kelsey quickly stepped in to smooth things over, forcing a smile. “Michael truly cares about Willow. This bracelet was a gift from the Queen. I even asked him for it once, but he refused to give it to me. He must have been saving it for Willow all along.”

With that, she quickly shot Michael a pointed look, urging him to play along and not make things any more awkward.

But he pretended not to notice, carefully tucking the emerald pendant into his robe. With a calm voice, he told the others, “I’ve got something else to do. Excuse me.”

Without waiting for their reactions, he turned on his heel and strode away decisively.

He looked like a man with urgent business to attend to.

Kelsey watched her son’s retreating back, a nameless fury surging within her, so intense it felt like her lungs would burst with rage.

But with Eloise and Willow present, Kelsey had to force a smile and cover for him. “He’s just a little shy, that’s all,” she said, trying to smooth things over.

Willow forced an awkward smile. She wasn’t stupid, of course she could tell Michael was upset.

Still, Willow thought, ‘Michael wasn’t really wrong.

‘What’s the deal with him giving me the love token that was meant for Athena?‘

Willow studied the bracelet on her wrist, a gentle smile playing on her lips. Turning to Kelsey, she said softly, “I do love the gift Michael picked for me.”

Hearing this, Eloise let out a silent sigh of relief.

Seeing the marks on Willow’s neck, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of blame toward Michael.

‘Such brutish behavior, no consideration for a lady’s comfort, Eloise thought with a frown.

Before long, a carriage from Xander arrived to fetch Athena.

As she was leaving, Athena noticed Siena and Aliza all decked out, looking for all the world as if they were the ones getting engaged.

Trina complained to her, “Siena and Aliza are getting more outrageous by the day. They’re hardly ever on duty in the residence. All they do is sneak off to Mr. Monson’s quarters.”

Athena smiled lightly. “Let them be.”

She thought, ‘Let them revel in their arrogance, it will only hasten their downfall.‘

Trina blinked in confusion at Athena. ‘I just can’t figure out Miss Monson anymore, she thought, feeling more lost than ever.

Athena walked straight out of the residence, where a carriage was already waiting.

Seeing her come out, the servant quickly stepped forward and bowed. “Prince Xander sent me to escort you, Miss Monson,” he said respectfully.

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#Auicia gave a

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With a flick of the reins, the carriage rolled away, carrying Athena farther and farther from the Osborne residence.

By the time Michael rushed out, all he could see was Athena’s retreating figure in the distance.

His fingers clenched involuntarily around the emerald pendant, its edges biting deep into his palm. Once a cherished love token, it now burned like a branding iron, searing through his nerves.

His eyes were rimmed with red, jaw clenched tight, his features twisting with rage and seething frustration.

Athena didn’t just reject him, she even refused to keep the emerald pendant he had given her.

She was determined to sever all ties with him, once and for all.

“Michael.” Willow’s soft call pulled him back to the present.

Still dazed, he turned around and saw Willow’s gentle smile.

For a moment, he was so dazed that he couldn’t tell whether the person in front of him was Willow or Athena.

Michael frowned, his voice low and uncertain, and asked again in a daze, “What did you just call me?”

Athena used to call him in that same sweet, affectionate way.

But ever since returning from the military camp, that affectionate call had vanished from his life.

Michael’s gaze was hollow and lost, as if he’d lost a priceless treasure.

Willow felt a pang of bittersweet ache as she looked at him in that state.

Willow had known Michael for years, yet she’d never seen him look so utterly broken.

Willow had clearly seen the reluctance written all over Michael’s face.

Athena still held a place in his heart.

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