Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours!
Chapter 307: Revelations V

Chapter 307: Revelations V

No wonder the man was so loyal to him!

With every passing second, Athena began to understand that things weren’t always what they appeared to be at first glance. Unless, of course, you were talking about physical beauty. Ewan was exactly as he seemed—an appealing sin.

As she studied his features under the dim lighting of the restaurant, she could see all too clearly why he attracted the female crowd. Hell, she wasn’t completely immune to that allure herself.

Those sinful lips and...

Getyourmindoutofthegutter, girl! Athena scolded herself frantically while keeping a calm exterior.

"So, if you hated the trafficking and drug business so much, why didn’t you stop it? Why didn’t you just call the police and tear everything down?"

"Because I needed the protection," Ewan replied, his brows furrowing as if the answer should have been obvious.

Athena mentally cursed her mind for going off track for even a moment. Now, she had spoken without thinking!

"I know it’s selfish, Athena. But at that time, I had to do what I needed to survive, especially since I stopped receiving the death threats," Ewan continued, mistaking Athena’s silence for judgment.

"And what about the other gang members? Did they just swallow it all happily when you became the successor?"

Ewan shook his head slowly, his expression somber. "No, they were anything but happy. The boss’s son started threatening me at every turn, even going so far as to set up accidents—unaware of how deeply his actions rattled me, especially considering what I had been through, and why I joined his father’s gang in the first place."

"So, how did you handle him? Did you report him to his father?" Athena asked, curiosity piqued.

Ewan held her gaze steadily. "No. I set him up."

Athena cocked her head to the left, a look of disbelief in her eyes. "You are really crazy,"

Ewan’s heart paused.

But then she teasing him with an impish smile.

And he felt his heart revert to its normal rhythm. Was this woman trying to give him a heart attack with her rapid emotional shifts?

"Is he dead?"

Ewan shook his head. "He’s in prison. He’ll be there for a long time."

"And they don’t suspect what you did?"

Ewan shook his head again. "It’s well under wraps."

Athena nodded slowly, her fingers tapping a rhythm on her thigh. "How, then, did you manage to rule the gang? Did you abolish some practices?"

Ewan knew what she wanted to hear, but life doesn’t always adhere to expectations. "Not until the boss died. Even then, I couldn’t abolish things the way I would have liked. The illegal trades slowed of course, but it caused some unrest. However, I thought that wasn’t enough. Yet the two times I tried stopping the operations, I almost didn’t escape with my life."

"Why didn’t you involve the police at that point? You were older then, weren’t you?"

"Most of the police were on the payroll. And even though I was the boss, I was sure that some of my underlings were still running deals behind my back. I was so relieved to leave the gang."

"Really? How did that even happen?"

Ewan tsked, his mild frustration evident. "I was the boss."

"That simple?"

"Not really. I made another pact—not to involve myself with their matters anymore, or with the police. In other words, I was saying I wouldn’t betray them, or they would come for everything I cared about, including the company... and you."

"Me?" Athena feigned surprise, her brows arching.

"Yes, they knew I was getting married; it was part of the excuse I used to extricate myself from that lifestyle—to keep you out of it."

"Only to throw me into a worse one..." Athena muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. But she couldn’t hide it from Ewan, who was seated across from her.

"I’m sorry, Athena. At that stage in my life, I was uncertain about everything. I was twenty-three and a fool, letting situations dictate my decisions—especially after Alfonso’s deal. I hated being a pawn... ironic, considering I was Fiona’s for years."

They shared a bittersweet laugh, both lost in the haunting memories of a turbulent past.

"You know, without your foster father’s intervention, I might have asked you out naturally. Maybe not marriage, but I would have dated you. I noticed you at the council one time..."

Athena schooled her expression into a blank slate as Ewan narrated the first time he had seen her, the first time she had seen him too. It was a small relief amidst her wounds to think she hadn’t been the only one feeling that spark back then.

If only Alfonso hadn’t intervened. If only... She sighed, her gaze drifting away from Ewan, furrowing her brows next, upon noticing Rodney nursing a drink while staring at them.

"He’s been watching us like that for the past twenty minutes. What’s your deal with him? Why did you give him your number?"

"He seemed like someone who needed help," Athena replied, returning her focus to Ewan. "You’re going to check him out, aren’t you?"

Ewan didn’t deny it. "I need to make sure he’s a good man."

In the same vein, Athena didn’t stop him or try to negate his intentions. Let him do whatever he thought was right.

"So, you’re not planning to do anything about the gang?"

"No, but you can." Ewan beckoned the waiter for a drink.

"I’m thirsty," He explained, noticing the frown on Athena’s face.

"You’re driving, you know that, right?" She gestured for the waiter to leave them.

Ewan didn’t protest.

"So, you want me to take down your old gang? I don’t work with the CIA."

"But you work with Nimbus. You could dismantle the operation; Spider will help you. Even though he works for them, he claims it’s to gather more intel. I’m sure he would want to work with you, especially after what happened to his sister."

Right. It was perfectly acceptable to do it to other people’s sisters until it hit home.

Athena tsked, pushing her chair back. "I think it’s time we leave here. We can talk more as we head back to the city. It’s getting late."

Ewan nodded and rose to his feet, stifling a groan as heaviness washed over his legs and body—it must have been the drugs reacting. He desperately needed sleep.

Athena must have seen the expression of fatigue on his face because she grabbed his hand without a second thought, leading him toward the exit.

"I should have taken you directly to your house instead of making you drop me off at Fiona’s," Athena remarked as they walked into the open air.

Ewan let out a light laugh, followed by a cough. "You didn’t make me do anything, woman,"

Their moment was interrupted as an attendant burst out of the restaurant, catching up to them. "You haven’t settled your bill..."

Athena laughed and produced her card.

When Ewan tried to protest, she pinched him playfully on the back while beaming at the flustered waiter, who was now blushing as he held the card machine.

"I should have made the payment for that..." Ewan grumbled as soon as the attendant left.

"Get into the car, Ewan. Let’s go home."

Home. The word sent a wave of warmth through him. If only...

"Ewan, hurry up..."

He cursed under his breath and climbed into the car.

"So, are we cool?" Ewan finally asked, the burden on his heart lightening somewhat as he gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white. They were only a few moments away from the city.

"Yes, we’re cool. I understand a lot better now. I hope we find your attacker soon. However..."

Ewan’s heart rate quickened.

"I hope your past actions don’t resurface on social media one day. The public wouldn’t understand your side of the story."

"It won’t happen. Spider has everything under control," Ewan asserted with conviction.

Athena nodded in response, hoping the man truly did have it all under control—for the sake of her children.

Ewan drove Athena to Old Mr. Thorne’s first. As they approached, he paused when he noticed Antonio stepping out of the sleek Porsche parked by the curb. "Well, it looks like Antonio has been waiting for you."

Athena sighed, sensing the gruffness in Ewan’s tone as she watched Antonio approach.

She stepped out of the car immediately, and because she didn’t say anything to Ewan—not even a goodnight—he got out as well, unwilling to let himself be dismissed.

"Ewan..." Antonio spat out the name like it was bitter on his tongue. "What are you doing here?" He pivoted toward Athena, his voice thick with accusation. "What are you doing with him?"

"We had some work to finish," Athena responded simply, hoping for a peaceful conversation.

She hadn’t received a reply from Antonio after her text; she should have known he would want to discuss matters in person. This was something he had craved for quite some time.

"And what work is that?" Antonio enquired, his suspicious eyes narrowing.

But Ewan was having none of that. "You’re just my children’s adoptive..."

"You’ve got it wrong, Ewan," Antonio interrupted, eager to puff up his chest. "She just accepted to be my girlfriend a few hours ago."