Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2223

The bride was just about to reach the priest when the sudden commotion brought the entire ceremony to a halt.

Mrs. Keller was the first on her feet, her voice edged with urgency. “Why are you all just standing there? Get down there and help her!”

Tyler didn’t hesitate. He leapt over the railing, only realizing as he hit the water that it was Athena who had fallen in—he’d been distracted by someone moments earlier and missed the incident.

He pulled Athena from the pond, and as he hauled her up, her dress twisted awkwardly, exposing the birthmark high on her thigh for all to see.

Mrs. Keller’s grip tightened on her cane. From where she stood, she had a clear view of that unmistakable mark.

Grandma Edith, ever gentle and kind, had stepped forward to check on the drenched young woman. But the moment she glimpsed the birthmark, a spark of excitement flashed in her eyes. Wasn’t this the very girl she’d seen at the abbey?

Her brows knitted, but she kept silent. Over the years, plenty of imposters had claimed to be the long-lost heiress of the Keller family. Only she, though, knew about the secret blossom-shaped birthmark on the girl’s thigh. The fakes all lacked it. But this one—this one had it.

Grandma Edith’s lips trembled, her face suddenly radiant.

“You there—Bennitt boy—pick her up, quickly. Is she all right?”

Athena sputtered out a mouthful of water, coughing weakly, her face pale as she leaned against Tyler’s chest.

Tyler’s worry was obvious. “I’ll take you home first.”

But Grandma Edith had no intention of letting Athena leave so easily. After searching for this girl for years, she wasn’t about to lose her now. She hurried over, feigning concern as she wiped water from Athena’s cheek, slyly collecting a strand of hair that had caught on her necklace and tucking it into her palm.

“What’s her name?” she asked.

“Athena,” Tyler answered, lifting her carefully. He turned apologetically to Grandma Edith. “I’m sorry for the disruption, Grandma Edith. Please go on with the ceremony—I’ll get my wife out of the cold before she catches a chill.”

But Athena clung to his collar, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Someone pushed me. I want to know who was standing behind me.”

Tyler’s expression darkened. The timing couldn’t have been worse—Maggie, still in her wedding gown, was frozen at the end of the aisle, the whole ceremony paused because of the incident.

“Athena, let’s talk about it after the wedding. Right now, let’s get you home.”

Disappointment flickered in Athena’s eyes, but she said nothing more.

Grandma Edith, though, was having none of it. The last time she’d seen Athena at the abbey, there had been tension with Maggie. Now, at the water’s edge, Athena was pushed in. Was the girl truly troublesome and unwelcome, or was there something more going on with Maggie’s side?

Grandma Edith tapped her cane firmly. “Investigate! Right now. The wedding can wait.”

Within minutes, the waiter was brought in, shaking and pale, and dropped to his knees.

Grandma Edith rapped her cane. “Speak. Why did you push her?”

The waiter darted a nervous glance toward where Lily stood. The gravity of the moment—and the eyes fixed on him—were too much. His lips quivered. He couldn’t hold out any longer.

Grandma Edith’s frown deepened. “I’m asking you a question. Why are you looking at her?”

Finally, the pressure got to him and he blurted out Lily’s name.

All eyes turned to Lily, who blanched, her lips pressed together as if she’d suffered some enormous injustice.

Grandma Edith’s gaze pinned Lily in place. “Why would you do such a thing? To pull a stunt like this at the Keller family’s wedding—what were you thinking?”

Lily’s legs nearly gave out beneath her. Her family was nothing special; she was only here because she was friends with Maggie. Now, with so many powerful people staring her down, sweat poured from her brow.

She was about to try for an excuse when Athena spoke up, her voice cold.

“Lily. You again.”