Chapter 573
Chapter 573
Since Margaret didn’t finish her sentence, Athena struggled to suppress her agitation as she kept listening
Unconsciously, her hands twisted the handkerchief, her knuckles turning white from the strain
Within the vast mansion, only Margaret’s low, mournful voice reverberated.
She said, “After Vania got married, tragedy struck the duke’s estate. The former heir accidentally fell into the water and drowned, leaving the estate without an heir. Only then did they finally remember your father and me. People from Pidence City were sent to bring your father back to Pidence City.
“Meanwhile, Vania and I stayed behind. Aber Henry left, Vania found but she was pregnant. We had thought your father would come to fetch us soon, but months flew by without a single word from him.
“When we finally heard from him again, he had already become the next heir to the duo’s estate. Vanis and I set out for Pidence City. She was already close to her due date. Unexpectedly, the carriage met with an accident on the way. The shock sent her into premature labor. She fought desperately to deliver a baby girl before she passed away
Tears streamed down Athena’s face as she listened
Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white, eyes wide with shock. In a trembling voice, she asked, “Grandmother, she was my birth mother, wasn’t she p>
Margaret could hardly bring herself to meet Athena’s eyes, her guilt–laden voice growing fainter
She reluctantly nodded, as if she couldn’t bear exposing the duke’s estate’s dirty affairs. She continued, “Your father conspired with Eloise for the duke’s title. By the time larrived in Pidence City with you in my arms, Eloise had already given birth to a baby girl about your age.
“At that time, Eloise was already the duchess, posing as your mother, but couldn’t account for an extra child. So, she had no choice but to take you in as her own, while her actual daughter was passed off as an adopted orphan,
I
“ Since it was public knowledge that your mother and I had returned to Pidence City, Eloise had no choice but to acknowledge you as her own. But I never imagined she could be so cruel as to abandon you while you were just a baby.
“I tried everything to find you and bring you back, but even then, I still couldn’t protect you. You ended up enduring three bitter years of hardship in the military camp.
“These matters are a deep stain on the duke’s estate. To protect ity honor, your father and I kept them completely concealed, not even alders in the family knew about them p>
By this point, Margaret was already weeping uncontrollably
With trembling hands, she reached out and grasped Athena’s hard, managing a pained smile. “Child, I am sorry. To protect your father’s title, kept the truth from you and made you suffer all these years for nothing.
“I am truly sorry for what I’ve done to you
Choking back sobs, Margaret confessed to Athena, “ For her own daughter, Eloise was dead set on eliminating you. The poison in those pastries was her doing p>
Athena gritted her teeth and demanded, “Did Willowknow about all this p>
Margaret nodded slowly, her voice heavy with regret. “ She’s known her true identity from the very beginning. Every pitiful act, every time she tried to undermine you, it was all to secure her place as the legitimate heir.
Athena found this series of events abad. Her birth mother had been impersonated by Eloise, who stole her identity and lived a life of opulence that should have been har
1/2
Chapter 573
Athena was the legitimate heir, yet her aunt’s schemes left her homeless and motherless.
Her birth mother’s resting place still remained unknown.
Athena was sobbing uncontrollably, a seating flame burning in her chest, scorching her very soul.
The truth was unbearably cruel. For over a decade, she had taken her enemy as her mother.
Comment
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.