Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 316

He finally grasped the harsh reality—the rift between him and Willow was a gaping chasm, impossible to bridge.

He lost his appetite entirely, sitting there in a daze, unable to utter a single word.

Silas didn't force Willow to engage. Instead, he cast a pointed look at Leo. "When making certain choices, one should consider the consequences from the very beginning. Trying to make amends after the fact is utterly futile."

Leo froze in his seat. He said nothing, quietly finishing the rest of his meal in heavy silence.

That night, a torrential downpour slammed into Aston City.

Ever since she was a child—kicked out of the house and forced to stand outside in the freezing rain until she nearly died of hypothermia—Willow had been terrified of thunderstorms.

Though she had learned to endure it, every crack of thunder still made her flinch.

The storm had barely begun, and the first rumble of thunder had just echoed through the sky when someone knocked on her door. Wearing her slippers, she opened it to find Lucian, slightly breathless.

Willow was a little confused. Before she could speak, he asked softly, "Are you scared?"

Willow's eyelashes fluttered. In that instant, a profound wave of warmth flooded her heart. She smiled and let him in. "Not anymore."

Lucian chuckled, revealing a small pastry box from behind his back. "Those idiots ruined your appetite tonight, didn't they? I baked you some cupcakes."

Willow's eyes lit up. Along with the cupcakes, Lucian had prepared a soothing cup of tea to wash down the sweetness.

Listening to the rain outside, she suddenly felt that the thunder didn't just bring painful memories; it also brought an indescribable sense of comfort.

Lucian knew she didn't like overly sweet desserts, so he had intentionally cut the sugar.

Willow took small, deliberate bites. The cupcake wasn't large, but she savored it for a long time.

Suddenly, she looked up and asked, "When are you breaking off your engagement?"

Lucian's gaze locked onto hers. He analyzed her words, playing them over in his head a few times to ensure he hadn't misheard.

A rush of pure, unadulterated joy consumed him. His breathing hitched slightly. "I'm heading back in three days. My grandmother is about to be discharged from the hospital. Once I get her settled, I'll end the engagement immediately!"

Willow laughed. "That's quite a coincidence. The Celestial Composition Project has been moved up. I'll be heading to The Sovereign Isles in a week. We might just run into each other."

Lucian's Adam's apple bobbed, and he blurted out, "Can I take you to meet my grandmother?"

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