Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2216

Athena had never intended to stir up trouble for herself, at least not so soon. But the moment she heard those words, her pupils contracted sharply in disbelief.

Maggie’s smile twisted into something manic. “Didn’t they say his ashes were taken overseas all those years ago? Funny thing—turns out that man never really loved Kerwin. After all, Kerwin was living proof his wife had betrayed him. So, for a bit of cash, he sold me the ashes. Didn’t even hesitate.”

Athena’s face drained of all color. Her lips began to tremble uncontrollably.

She flung Maggie’s hand away and, without thinking, slapped her across the face.

Maggie hadn’t expected that. For a split second, she just stood there, stunned, as if she couldn’t believe Athena would dare lay a hand on her. Had she forgotten how, back in high school, she’d been the one on her knees, begging for mercy?

“You hit me?” Maggie sputtered.

Athena didn’t answer. Instead, she lashed out again, fists and feet flying, as if possessed by something wild and furious.

The commotion drew the attention of the people inside the chapel. Even Grandma Edith came over, her steps hurried and her expression confused.

“What’s going on here?” she demanded.

Maggie instantly shifted gears, her face crumpling into a picture of wounded innocence. “Grandma, there’s just been a little misunderstanding with an old classmate. I think she’s not feeling well—she started hitting me, and now my cheek is burning…”

Five red fingerprints blazed across Maggie’s cheek, but Athena stood there, perfectly composed, her clothes unruffled. It was clear who looked like the aggressor.

Athena glanced at Grandma Edith, noticing the stern set of her jaw. The warm kindness from earlier had vanished completely.

Maggie’s eyes sparkled with smug triumph. Athena met her gaze for a long moment, then turned and walked away.

But Maggie’s words kept echoing in her mind. Her hands shook on the steering wheel; something feral and heavy pressed against her chest, threatening to burst out at any second.

Then one day, her parents took her brother on a trip. They never came back—killed in a car accident out of state. Suddenly, Athena was alone, and to her shock, she felt a lightness she’d never known before.

The house was hers. She could finally decide what stayed and what went.

She ate meat for the first time without guilt, watched whatever shows she wanted. The night the police called with the news, all she felt was relief—real, dizzying relief.

And yet, guilt gnawed at her. No matter how badly they’d treated her, they’d given her life. When they died, she hadn’t shed a single tear—just felt free. What kind of person did that make her?

After that, she withdrew even further into herself. Outsiders mistook her silence for pride.

No one knew what had really happened in her family—except Kerwin. Kerwin, who looked at her with gentle pity, who protected her like a guardian angel. He’d walk her home every day, and for a while, the bullying stopped.

Kerwin was so well-liked that no one dared cross him. Out of respect for him, they left her alone.