Chapter 165: Visiting Mr. Thorne IV
This again? Athena thought, cleaning her mouth elegantly with the wipe that had been kept for her.
The sensation of the soft cloth against her skin could hardly cleanse the discomfort she felt now at the dinner table; a stark contrast to her earlier feelings amidst the laughter and the bustling energy of family camaraderie while a few minutes ago.
"I guess people do have look-alikes in this world of ours. Part of life’s humor," She finally said, trying to inject a lightness into the conversation.
"I see..." Florence muttered soberly.
Athena could detect a trace of bitterness in Florence’s words, and her heart ached for the older woman, wishing she could do something to alleviate the evident distress the woman was in.
Florence’s eyes glossed over slightly, and for a fleeting moment, Athena could see the layers of pain and nostalgia weave through her expression.
"Tell me about her, your daughter, I mean... Emily..." She offered, surprised at how natural the question felt in the air.
A flicker of brightness illuminated Florence’s face, as if a distant candle had suddenly been reignited.
"Emily was a beauty to behold, the perfect daughter and child anyone could ask for," Florence began, her voice taking on a dreamy lilt that resonated with memory. "Of course, she had her flaws, but they were barely noticeable under the shade of all her goodness. She was a bright one, a purity in this dark world of ours."