Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours!-Chapter 530: Rescue?

Athena’s eyelids fluttered—the weight of exhaustion clinging to her lashes—when she felt the bulky guard pause, and she pried her eyes open to meet a world that was dim and cruel.

The chamber was dank—humid in a way that clung to her skin like sweat even though she felt cold. The single bulb dangling from the middle of the ceiling flickered sporadically, humming like it was protesting its last hour on earth.

Its trembling light carved broken shadows across the walls, illuminating metal pipes, rust stains, and the faint silhouettes of rats darting behind crates.

Her gaze dragged forward, catching on a massive metal tub at the center of the room. A pot—no, a cauldron—large enough to fit two grown adults. Steam hissed from its surface, rolling upward like ghostly fingers.

Beneath it, flames licked steadily at the base, heating it to a roiling, furious boil. The bubbles slapped against the sides with violent pops.

A chill slid down Athena’s spine. Were they... going to throw her in there?

Her breath caught, trembling. Her sore chest ached. Her throat burned. And yet she still found herself shuddering.

She didn’t have long to think. The guard holding her shoved her forward, chair and all. Her body slammed against the floor, the impact jarring her bones.

She gasped sharply as pain shot through her ribs. The guard spat out an insult in a language she didn’t care to understand, then grabbed the chair roughly and yanked it upright.

The movement made her dizzy—light flashed blotchy and white at the edges of her vision.

Moments later, footsteps echoed from the hallway. Heavy. Several pairs.

Athena swallowed.

Three guards dragged Ewan into the room—no, carried him, because his legs weren’t moving. He looked barely conscious, head drooping forward, hair falling across his face.

They dropped him roughly near her, about four feet away. He groaned, but didn’t lift his head.

Her heart twisted painfully.

Then Herbert entered.

His polished shoes clicked against the cement floor, his breath steady, almost bored. Antonio followed behind him, twirling the same knife he had used to kill Victoria earlier. Its edge glinted under the flickering bulb, catching flashes of orange from the fire.

Herbert clasped his hands behind his back.

"Well," he began casually, "let’s not waste any more time."

Athena’s pulse quickened.

He turned his attention to Ewan.

"The research," Herbert said simply. "Where is it? Your mother willed it to you. The moment you turned twenty-one, you’d gain access. As if she knew her death was approaching."

His eyes narrowed. "So. Tell me. Where is it?"

Ewan raised his head slowly, as though every inch of movement cost him fragments of his life. His voice was hoarse, cracked around the edges.

"I’ll talk... but only if Athena goes free."

Athena’s breath hitched. No.

She wanted to shake her head, to shout, Don’t do that, but the pain clamped her muscles tight. Her neck felt carved from stone. Even trying to swallow brought tears to her eyes.

And then—she began crying again.

She was amazed she even could. She hadn’t had water in more than three days, hadn’t eaten anything solid, and hadn’t slept properly. She didn’t know where her body found the moisture, but tears slipped down anyway, wetting her bruised cheeks.

Herbert burst into a laugh. A cruel one.

"You think you have choices here?" he asked mockingly. He gave a small gesture.

One of the guards stepped behind Athena, gripped the chair she was bound to, and lifted it easily.

Athena whimpered as he carried her, still tied, toward the boiling chamber. The heat slapped her face the closer she got. The steam stung her eyes. The bubbling hiss sounded like a demon breathing.

He held her at the edge—one wrong move and she would drop directly into the scalding water.

Herbert repeated calmly, "Now. Where. Is. The research?"

Antonio, meanwhile, continued to laugh hysterically as he pressed the tip of the knife into Ewan’s thigh. He dragged the blade lightly, slicing shallow lines.

Ewan gritted his teeth, a groan ripping out of him.

"A miracle..." Athena whispered shakily, barely audibly. "Please... any miracle..."

Anything to stop this madness.

And then someone walked into the room.

For a heartbeat, Athena thought her prayer was answered. But her hope fell apart instantly.

Alfonso stepped into the doorway, smirking.

She had forgotten he existed—forgotten he had been taken by Herbert’s men earlier.

So seeing him now, leaning casually against the doorframe, made her stomach twist with shock.

Alfonso clicked his tongue.

"Look at your face," he mocked Athena. "You really did forget about me."

He gave a sharp laugh. "Don’t worry, I’m not here to save you. I’m just here to watch. For all your loud talk about being powerful..."

Antonio cackled. "Right?"

Just when Herbert tilted his head toward the guard holding Athena—"Dip her slightly."—Ewan broke.

"I’ll talk!"

Athena gasped, "No—"

But her voice was too small, too weak. Her whisper drowned beneath the laughter and boiling water.

Ewan looked at her—eyes shining with unshed tears. Apology. Fear. Desperation.

He opened his mouth to speak, but an explosion thundered through the hallway outside.

The entire chamber rattled. The bulb swung wildly, flickering in and out. Dust rained from the ceiling.

Antonio and Herbert snapped toward each other in confusion.

"What was that?" Antonio barked at the guards.

"Stop standing around like fools! Go check it out!" Herbert ordered.

One guard rushed out.

Silence.

A beat.

Two beats.

The guard did not return.

Instead, gunshots erupted in the hallway. Rapid. Sharp. Close.

Herbert cursed loudly. "Enough! Throw them in!"

He grabbed a gun from one guard’s belt. Antonio snatched another. Alfonso drew a pistol from his waist.

The guard holding Athena, paused, only waiting for his colleague to deliver Ewan, so that he can push the duo at the same time.

Couple’s death. He mused. Romeo and Juliet.

Athena, meanwhile, was still hoping for a miracle—with the shouts her tired ears could pick coming from the rooms above, hoping with tears flowing freely from her eyes.

Especially when she saw Ewan being dragged closer. Saw his terrified eyes. Saw tears streaming down his cheeks, reflecting the firelight.

Then, a silhouette stepped into the doorway.

A man. Older. Holding a gun.

Her breath died in her throat.

Her grandfather.

"Grand..." she croaked.

But before she could say his name fully—before she could even believe what she was seeing...

Gunfire exploded through the chamber.

Several shots fired toward her old man.

"NO!" Athena screamed. The sound tore from her soul, primal and raw.

And then she fell.

The guard had lost his grip mid-commotion.

Her chair swung downward... A splash of water... Her head slammed against the metal base of the tub... and everything turned black.