Chapter 363
That devastated look in Ferris’s eyes shattered Athena’s heart along with his.
Athena understood Ferris’s intention. By removing just one Burrowing Spike, the treatment would be prolonged, giving him more time to stay by her side.
But who can really say what the future holds?
Athena thought, ‘I don’t want to hold Ferris back. He deserves better. He shouldn’t waste his time on someone like me.
Athena felt heat rising in her eyes as she forced a bright smile at Ferris and said, with a double meaning, “It’s better to get over the pain quickly. Why drag it out p>
“Atheny!” Ferris exclaimed as he fiercely gripped her wrist.
It was as if only such desperate strength could bind Athena to his side forever.
Little did Ferris know, the moment Athena assumed the status of Mrs. Cavendish, their destinies had already diverged.
She thought, ‘We were like two parallel lines, destined never to intersect.
‘So, why waste any more time clinging to this false sense of hope p>
Athena struggled to break free, but Ferris’s grip on her wrist was ironclad. He thought, ‘How could I possibly bring myself to let go p>
His affectionate gaze now brimmed with defiance and helplessness, and that devastated look in his eyes almost made Athena flee.
Gently, Athena placed her hand over Ferris’s, curving her lips in a faint, sad smile. “Sleep now,” she murmured softly. “When you wake up, everything will be fine p>
“Atheny?” Ferris’s eyes snapped open in shock as he gasped. But before he could even process Athena’s words, his eyelids grew unbearably heavy and slid shut.
Athena let out a soft sigh. Removing the Burrowing Spike would require cutting through flesh.
Using general anesthesia would keep him in a deep slumber, sparing him the agony.
A total of four Burrowing Spikes were embedded deep in Ferris’s flesh, and extracting them would take considerable time and effort.
Outside the courtyard, Athena stationed heavy guards, forbidding anyone from entering without permission.
While she was extracting the Burrowing Spikes from Ferris, absolutely no disturbances could be tolerated.
Four hours later, Athena emerged from the room. Exhaustion lined her face, yet her eyes shimmered with quiet relief.
From now on, Ferris could once again wield his sword to defend himself and protect those he cherished.
The Ferris, who had been trampled into the dust, was reborn.
At the doorway, Gale watched as Athena emerged with a drawn and weary face.
With eyes brimming with unshed tears, Gale stepped forward. As she was about to kneel before Athena, Athena quickly
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Chapter 363
caught her by the arms and asked, “Your Grace, what are you doing p>
With eyes full of guilt and gratitude, Gale looked at Athena and said, “I’m no longer a part of the Mcgee household. If you don’t mind, you can call me Mdm. Whitlock from now on. ”
The immense kindness Athena had shown her and Ferris was a debt Gale knew she could never repay, not even in this lifetime.
Yet, when Athena herself was in trouble, Gale had been utterly powerless to protect her.
Knowing what Gale was thinking, Athena offered a gentle smile and said, “Let bygones be bygones, Mdm. Whitlock. There’s no need to mention it anymore p>
“You… you accept me?” Gale stammered, her voice trembling with disbelief. Her maiden family was far away in Nimbial, and she was the daughter of a merchant.
Ferris’s father, Precival, had married her for her family’s vast fortune.
After marrying him, she spent lavishly to pave his way to power, helping him ascend the political ladder step by step.
Yet in the end, all she got in return was betrayal.
With no way to return to her maiden home, Ferris was now the only family she had left in this world.
Gale’s gratitude toward Athena was beyond words.
Athena gently nodded, reassuring, “Mdm. Whitlock, don’t be too hard on yourself. Maybe this is just how things were meant to be. We can’t keep dwelling on the past, and we need to move forward p>
Glancing back at the room with a hint of regret on her face, Athena added, “He can be a bit hotheaded sometimes. Mdm. Whitlock, please try to talk some sense into him when you can p>
Tears welled up in Gale’s eyes, and she nodded in response, “I’ll remember everything you’ve said p>
Athena reached into her pouch and took out a betrothal gold pendant. She placed it gently in Gale’s hand, she said with a voice tinged with resignation, “It’s time this betrothal gold pendant returned to its rightful owner p>
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Chapter 364
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.