“Dad, Mom, I’ll bring you home. From now on, we’ll be free from the Davidson family.”
She joined the team handling the relocation and spent five long days isolated from everything in her quiet, rural hometown.
During that time, Emmett called her repeatedly, his voice dripping with sweetness, asking where she was and why she hadn’t come back.
At first, Athena answered with a few dismissive words and ended the call, but this time, Emmett didn’t give her the chance to hang up. Instead, he video-called her directly.
“Athena, should we make our wedding even more extravagant?” Emmett’s smile was warm, his voice tender as always. “Just the thought of marrying you soon keeps me awake with excitement.”
Athena forced a smile, a bitter taste rising in her throat. She wanted to tell him to stop pretending.
After everything, wasn’t he tired of the endless games?
But she couldn’t bring herself to say it. After all these years, she had truly loved Emmett.
“Athena, why are you spacing out again?” Emmett’s frown deepened, clearly irritated. “Is something more interesting than me?”
Athena snapped back to reality, quickly redirecting her gaze to the screen, focusing on Emmett’s face.
The background behind him seemed unfamiliar, an unfamiliar space she didn’t recognize. It wasn’t home. Athena hesitated for a moment before replying, “I’m in Skyridge, preparing a wedding gift for you.”
Emmett’s eyes lit up, his smile widening in delight.
A long time ago, they had cuddled up in bed, watching videos together.
Emmett had pulled Athena close, watching as couples visited Skyridge to create matching household items, something they had promised to do one day.
“Why did you go by yourself?” Emmett’s playful annoyance was evident as the camera shook. He grabbed his coat, ready to move.
“Wait for me. I’m coming to Skyridge to find you!”
But Athena stopped him. “No need. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
At Emmett’s words, Athena’s gaze sharpened. He frowned deeply as though a great injustice had been done to him.
“You don’t want to see me?”
“No,” Athena replied coolly, her lips barely moving. “I just don’t want you to see the gift I’m preparing in advance. It would spoil the surprise.”
Emmett’s brows relaxed slightly, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “Fine,” he said, his voice laced with arrogance. “I’ll let it slide… this time.”
Blowing a kiss toward the screen, he added, “I’ll be waiting for your surprise.”