<h4>Chapter 81: Thoughtful Gifts</h4>


    Athena’s eyes diligently scanned Aiden’s report for the second time, her heart weighing heavy with the troubling findings. She wasn’t pleased, not at all.


    Fiona, the elusive figure at the center of this web, couldn’t be traced back to either the murder of the chief waiter or her own kidnapping.


    True, Fiona had left signs—clues that suggested her involvement—but they were mere whispers, not shouts demanding attention. To the outside world, those whispers were not enough tobel Fiona as evil.


    The investigation team, having entered her city just two days after her abduction, hade up empty-handed. They were unable to find any CCTV footage from the hotel on the night of the waiter’s murder, nor did they find the CCTV footage of the exact time she had been taken.


    Even if some footage had surfaced, Athena doubted it would point directly to Fiona. How could they possibly connect the dots?


    She let out a weary sigh, deliberately letting her phone tumble onto the dresser. The weight of her situation was suffocating, and her mind raced in circles.


    How desperately she wished to involve her children, to let them stand by her side, but this matter felt too close to home. The children still clung to her forfort, their worries lingering even a week after the incident.


    She gazed at her reflection in the long mirror, her eyes trailing over the remnants of what she had survived. Scars marked her thighs, some faded, others still ghastly reminders of the ordeal.


    Each mark whispered of her resilience, but also of the work thaty ahead: the need to eliminate the threat before it found her first, before it could strike again.


    As she fought to steady her slightly racing heart, a knock at her door startled her, pulling her from the spiraling thoughts.


    "Are you still going out today? I’ve been waiting a while..." Gianna’s voice echoed past the door, punctuating the tense air.


    Athena muttered a curse, ncing at the phone and her clothes draped haphazardly around the room. She had submerged herself in work, lost in the reports and her scars—an unsettling routine since the incident.


    "I’m sorry, Gianna. I’ll be with you shortly," She called back, forcing herself to shake off the dark thoughts.


    With hastened movements, she grabbed a blouse hanging on the chair, slipping it over her head. ck pants andbat shoes followed,plementing her ensemble.


    Today was significant; she was heading to Ewan’s town, preparing to face the people of his world.


    When she stepped into the hallways, heading to the living room where Gianna waited, her stride faltered as she caught sight of her children. They were huddled in the corner of their room, surrounded by the gift bags Ewan had sent prior to the incident.


    She hadn’t even checked the items—hadpletely forgotten about them amidst the chaos of recent events.


    Intrigued, she paused and watched as Nathaniel excitedly pulled a hefty LEGO box from one of the bags. His eyes widened in disbelief as he read the price printed on the box.


    A smile tugged at Athena’s lips; Ewan had risen to her son’s challenge, and it momentarily chased away her worries.


    She shook her head, willing the smile away as she turned her attention to the next gift box. A yhouse!


    Her heart warmed as she saw Kathleen’s face light up with delight. No matter his ws, it seemed that Ewan had a knack for being a good dad.


    She watched as Kathleen and Kendra eagerly inspected the yhouse, their excited chatter filling the room. The sound wrapped around her like a warm embrace, momentarily easing the tension in her chest.


    Her gaze drifted back to Nathaniel, who was busy emptying another gift box. His excitement was palpable as he revealed a collection of books authored by Colleen Hoover. Better, they were signed!


    Athena’s mouth fell open. How had Ewan managed to get signed copies? And how did he know that she adored Colleen Hoover’s novels?


    Her heart raced—a mix of disbelief and thrill coursed through her veins. Had he really been paying attention during their marriage, despite being as distant as he often was, despite being a cold fish?


    The thought was both ttering and perplexing. As she sorted through her whirlwind of emotions, a note slipped from one of the books, breaking her train of thought.


    Without thinking, she barreled into the children’s room, catching Nathaniel’s curious nce, and snatched the note before he could reach it.


    "Mom! I thought you were already leaving with Aunt Gianna!" Nathaniel eximed.


    "Yes, I should have, but something else caught my attention," She replied, feigning seriousness as she met his puzzled gaze. "Haven’t I taught you not to take what doesn’t belong to you?"


    Nathaniel shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "I was just checking to see if it was something dangerous."


    "Of course," Athena replied, her voiceced with amusement. "I’ll be out now. Take care of the girls." She picked up the second gift bag.


    With a nod, Nathaniel waved her off.


    She kissed him on the forehead and leaned over to nt kisses on the girls’ heads too. As she turned to leave, a sudden pause gripped her.


    Rather than seeking out Gianna, she found herself returning to her own room, her heart full yet puzzled.


    Once inside, she reached for the collection of books again. She inhaled theforting scent of fresh pages, an aroma she had always cherished.


    As she checked the signatures once more, her initial thrill faded to confusion; the date etched in one of them was from a year after she had left Ewan. She found herself frozen, struggling to fathom the implications of it all.


    Picking up the note, she read, <i>"I hope you let the past go. I hope things get better." </i>The simple words felt heavy,den with meaning.


    She dropped the books on the table, her heart racing as she examined the final gift bag.


    Insidey a stunning red gown and a pair of ck open-toe heels, apanied by another note:


    <i> "For our first partner date. There’s something about thepany I want to discuss with you. Text me if you’re interested, with a day that works for you, and I’ll meet you."</i>


    What was this?


    Just then, Gianna stepped into the room, her eyes flicking over the contents Athena was still holding. "You got another gown from Areso? Thedy really loves you..."


    Athena shook her head gently, a mix of feelings bubbling inside her. "It’s from Ewan."