Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 81

The stench of rotting fish instantly engulfed him.

Xavier Shaw could feel the filthy water dripping from his body, drop by agonizing drop. In all his life, he had never looked or felt so utterly wretched.

Fury surged through him. He glared venomously at Willow Shaw, yet upon seeing her radiant little face, a sudden wave of disorientation washed over him.

He remembered how quirky and mischievous Willow used to be when their parents, Robert and Eleanor, were still alive.

Whenever the housekeeper made dumplings, she would flash a wicked smile, sneaking up to smear flour all over their faces when they weren't looking.

The rowdy boys of the house had all adored her back then, more than willing to join their youngest sister in a chaotic flour war.

Knowing Xavier was a neat freak, Willow never pulled those pranks on him. Instead, if he ever got dirt on his hands, she would pull out her little handkerchief and meticulously wipe away every speck.

It had been so long. So long that he had forgotten the warmth of those tiny, delicate hands.

So long that... Willow was no longer the child who would gently wipe his hands clean.

Instead, knowing full well he was a germaphobe, she had dumped an entire bucket of garbage right over his head.

Was this really the same Willow from the past?

She had changed a long time ago. No wonder their relationship had deteriorated to this toxic point.

Xavier conveniently ignored his own actions, piling all the blame squarely onto Willow's shoulders.

Unable to hold back a gag, he stripped off his garbage-soaked jacket and threw it aside.

He had fully intended to unleash his wrath on her, but upon catching a subtle warning glance from Elias Landon, he forced the anger down and gritted his teeth. "Willow, we need to talk."

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