Chapter 166: Visiting Mr. Thorne V
"Would you like to take anything? Maybe coffee?" Florence asked, as Athena settled into one of the comfortable seats in the room, which the older woman had claimed was small, yet which was larger than Zack’s living room.
The room was a sanctuary of warmth and personality, adorned with an eclectic mix of furnishings that told stories of family gatherings and cherished moments.
A large library stand filled with books, some with worn spines and dog-eared pages, beckoned from the right side of the space. To the left stood a piano alongside a well-loved guitar, their seats inviting anyone who passed to take a seat and create music.
Everywhere Athena looked, she found elements of warmth: throw pillows scattered across the sofas in various colors, inviting visitors to sink into their softness; and projectors mounted on the walls, evidence of countless movie nights spent together as a family.
A box of toys rested at the far end of the room, overflowing with stuffed animals, building blocks, and board games, transforming the space into a true family room. It was a place where laughter could echo, where memories could blossom, and where joy held a permanent residence.
When Athena finally glanced up at the older woman to respond to the usual tea or coffee question, she noticed that Florence was looking around the room as if she didn’t live there.
"We wanted more children, Edward and I..." Florence began, picking up a delicate doll from the toy box, its porcelain features still bright with youthful innocence.
Holding the doll brought a flicker of nostalgia to Florence’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a shadow of sorrow. "We dreamed of a large family. We’ve always loved many children. But it seems the curse of Edward’s family wasn’t going to allow that to happen."
Athena frowned, intrigued and alarmed by the term "curse."
"Curse? What are you talking about? What curse?" She exclaimed, her eyes widening slightly.
Thoughts raced through her mind, and she prepared herself to spring into action, potentially whisking the children out of there if there was some sort of impending doom. But did things like that even exist?