Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2229

Maggie dropped to her knees, and the entire room fell silent in shock.

She faced Athena, her voice trembling. “Back in school, I was immature and took it out on you. I know I was wrong. I hope you can forgive me.”

Athena turned her head away, saying nothing. She neither offered forgiveness nor refused it, simply letting Maggie remain kneeling.

A surge of humiliation and anger burned inside Maggie, but no one in the room spoke up on her behalf.

She bit her lip so hard she tasted blood, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.

What more did they want from her? Wasn’t this enough?

Damn it.

That bitch, Athena.

Maggie seethed, her hatred threatening to boil over, but with Grandma Edith, Marlon, and Lucien present, she had no choice but to own up to her mistakes.

A minute dragged by, and Athena still didn’t respond.

Maggie pressed on, her voice strained. “I’ve apologized. Don’t you think you should at least say something?”

Athena stood abruptly, making it clear she intended to leave.

Tyler reached for her arm. “Athena?”

She paused, lips drawn tight. “What do you want me to say? Forgive you? I will never forgive someone who bullied me. Besides, none of you even know what else she’s done.”

With that, she shrugged off Tyler’s hand, making it clear she didn’t want to stay a second longer.

Grandma Edith grew anxious and quickly stood up. “Athena, sweetheart, don’t misunderstand. We didn’t ask you here to force you to forgive Maggie. I already know some of what she did to you. You’re the victim—I just wanted her to apologize, that’s all.”

Since Grandma Edith had spoken, Athena felt she couldn’t just walk away. Slowly, she turned and sat down again.

A platter of fruit sat on the table. Tyler picked up a slice and handed her a fork.

“Try to calm down,” he murmured. “Grandma Edith is right—we’re not forcing you to forgive Maggie.”

Athena took a bite, but the fork slipped and nicked her lip, drawing blood. She tossed the utensil into the nearby trash can and replied with a barely audible “Mm.”

Her people quickly agreed and set about the task.

A twisted smile curled on Maggie’s lips. Just wait, Athena. She’d make sure Athena paid the price. If she couldn’t crush her before, she would now.

Back inside the Keller family’s manor, the atmosphere remained tense.

Athena stood up to leave, and this time, Grandma Edith didn’t try to stop her.

But she did pull Tyler aside. “That Bennitt boy—Athena’s a good girl. Make sure you treat her right.”

Tyler’s face lit up with a genuine smile, grateful for the elder’s approval.

He hadn’t been back to the Bennitt family in ages—he’d long since cut ties with that bizarre clan.

“I will,” he promised, and put his arm around Athena as they walked out together.

Grandma Edith watched them go, then quietly called a maid over. In a low voice, she instructed, “Pick up that fork and send it for another DNA test.”

The maid nodded hurriedly and rushed to carry out her orders.