Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2221

Athena understood that Lindsay desperately needed the money, but guilt still gnawed at her. None of this should have happened to Lindsay in the first place.

Anyone in Greenfield could easily do them in—both of them. Athena wasn’t sure if she’d make it out alive herself; this was a gamble with her life on the line.

“Lindsay, I’ll give you my card, but if you come with me to Greenfield, who’s going to look after your kids?”

“My brother can handle it. Sometimes I ask Nora, the woman who runs the grocery downstairs, to check in. The store has everything we need, and when I go out to work, he takes care of things at home.”

Athena nodded, and then took Lindsay shopping for new clothes for all the children—outfits for every season, enough to last them until they were eighteen.

She also bought new clothes for Lindsay and her brother. The boy was delighted, spinning in front of the mirror and calling Lindsay’s name in excitement.

Lindsay reached up and gently ruffled his hair before turning to Athena. “Are we leaving for Greenfield tomorrow? Is that okay? I still have some things to sort out at home.”

“That’s fine. If you need my help with anything, just say the word. Here’s my card. I’ll text you the PIN. Use it whenever you need money.”

“Okay.”

Lindsay, fussing as always, immediately pulled her brother aside and started going over every last detail.

Though he was intellectually disabled, he still knew how to handle the basics—he just couldn’t live independently.

“Did you get all that? I’ll be gone for a few months. The kids are counting on you. Nora from downstairs will bring groceries and supplies each week. You know how to make formula, right? I taught you for two months. You can change diapers now, and you know how to cook a few simple dishes. Take good care of them, okay?”

Her brother’s wide eyes shone with innocence and confusion. After a long pause, he finally nodded, his voice thick with emotion. “Sis, I’m going to miss you.”

“It’s alright. I’ll be back before you know it.”

He bit his lip, then suddenly stood up. “I’ll take care of them. I’ll wait for you to come home.”

“Athena, what’s Greenfield like?”

“It’s beautiful. Bright lights, busy streets. You’ll see when we get there.”

“I’ll just pretend I’m going on vacation.”

“Lindsay, I’m pretty sure you’re the long-lost daughter of the Keller family. Honestly, you look a lot like Marlon, and with that distinctive birthmark… When we get there, I’ll rent you a place near mine. The Kellers will want a DNA test—hair and blood. I’ll need your cooperation.”

“I understand, Athena. I won’t hold you back.”

There was so much Athena wanted to ask—about Lindsay’s depression, about whether the pressure of survival had pushed her to this point. But she couldn’t voice any of it.

So the two of them curled up on the couch in silence, while Lindsay’s brother watched over the five children in the bedroom.