Chapter 170: Visiting Mr. Thorne IX
The twins avoided their mother’s gaze, choosing instead to focus on Old Mr. Thorne, who looked completely shocked at the term these children had just used for him.
The colorful innocence of youth seemed to envelop the room, drowning out the tension that had previously hung in the air.
Athena felt the heat creep into her palms, making them sweaty and clammy, as Florence gently pried her hand free from hers and stood up.
The older woman walked over to the long sofa where her husband sat with the children, and took a seat to the left of Nathaniel, who turned then, and gazed up at her with his bright, puppy-like blue eyes.
But by the sight of her children’s affection, Athena felt both confusion and immobility wash over her. What were they playing at?
Yet the twins, having heard the tales about the old couple, had decided, quite reasonably in their childlike minds, that becoming the grandchildren of Old Mr. Thorne and his wife might serve a dual purpose: bringing joy to the Thorne family while also earning themselves easier access to sweets.
Indeed, for days now, their mother had put a firm limit on their sugar intake, replacing treats with bland vegetables, and had enlisted Aunt Gianna in this torturous endeavor.
"Nathaniel, Kathleen, can you say that again?" Florence broke the spell of shock that had engulfed the old couple.
The twins exchanged amused glances, their little faces bursting with delight as they repeated their earlier words with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Grandpa sure looks like a youthful man!"