Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 296

The moment those words left Willow's lips, the figure standing outside the hospital room froze instantly. Tears rolled down his face one by one, splashing silently onto the floor as he choked on his own voiceless agony.

Lucian, acutely aware of the presence outside the door, shot a sharp look into the corridor and locked eyes with a pale, devastated Xavier.

Xavier stood rooted to the spot, entirely paralyzed. His face was devoid of expression, save for the endless stream of tears carving tracks down his cheeks.

Lucian's lips curled into a mocking sneer. He didn't make a sound, but he mouthed the words slowly and deliberately: "You brought this on yourself."

It was silent, yet deafening.

Xavier's shoulders trembled violently. His normally rigid spine slowly, painstakingly bowed under an invisible, crushing weight.

Back inside the room, Willow had no desire to dwell on the past. Talking about it too much made her feel like she was throwing a pity party.

Instead, her eyes crinkled into a bright, cheerful crescent. "Alright! Let's stop talking about depressing stuff! Mr. Yale, I'm starving. Can we eat now?"

Knowing she was intentionally changing the subject, Mr. Yale played along and nodded with a warm smile. "Of course! I heard from your parents that you absolutely love apple pie. I had the chef bake one especially for you, and it should be ready by now. Let's head over before it gets cold."

Willow nodded enthusiastically and followed him out of the room.

But the moment she stepped into the hallway, she heard Mr. Yale ask in surprise, "Xavier? What are you doing here?"

Willow's gaze faltered for a fraction of a second, but she didn't even turn her head to look at him. She simply walked right past him.

As she brushed by, the faint breeze in her wake felt like a physical blow, effortlessly piercing straight through his chest.

Xavier's Adam's apple bobbed. He desperately wanted to say something, but the words died in his throat.

His very existence in her life was a mistake.

In absolute silence, he followed them down the hall.

When they arrived at the dining room, only Xavier and Asher were present. Mr. Yale turned to his butler. "Where are the other two?"

"Leo has been incredibly depressed since he woke up," the butler explained. "Julian is currently trying to comfort him..."

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