His conviction was so unwavering that Athena almost found herself doubting her own instincts. But after loving Emmett for so long, she could picture him in her mind’s eye, even with her eyes closed. How could she possibly mistake him for someone else?
A sharp pain pierced her heart.
So it was true; there were people who could break their hearts in two, juggling multiple lives, weaving a web of lies so intricate that even they began to believe their own deceit.
"I trust you," Athena whispered, her voice trembling. "I trust that you would never betray me."
After the fitting, Emmett’s friends had arranged a gathering.
When they arrived, the group had already begun a round of games. Upon seeing Athena and Emmett walk hand in hand, the others eagerly gathered around, excited to greet them.
Athena wasn’t particularly familiar with them. She smiled politely and exchanged a few words before quietly heading upstairs, seeking a corner away from the noise.
But soon, voices drifted up from the stairwell.
“Emmett, are you really planning to throw Aliana aside and marry that orphan from your family?”
Athena recognized the voice of one of Emmett’s old high school classmates.
She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but something about the conversation pulled her in, and before she knew it, her feet had stopped moving, her body frozen in place.
“What are you talking about? Of course, Aliana is the most important!”
Aliana? Athena’s mind raced. She remembered overhearing the servants talking about a famous actress who had recently returned to the country. That actress, it seemed, was none other than Aliana Forbes.
“So what are you doing now? Every time there’s a brothers' gathering, you bring her along. Have you forgotten what you promised, Aliana? You swore there wouldn’t be any other woman by your side!”
“Can you stop bringing that up?” Emmett complained, annoyance thick in his voice. “Athena is nothing more than a little distraction to me. My heart still belongs to Aliana. But Grandpa insists I marry Athena and have an heir, or I’ll lose the Davidson family inheritance and forget about being with Aliana!”
“I have to pretend every day like I’m head over heels for her. It’s exhausting!”
His friend sounded doubtful. “Is that really all there is to it? You’ve been awfully kind to Athena. Be careful; pretending like that might make you fall for her.”