Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 84

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His voice pitched higher involuntarily. "What are you talking about? Of course I loved her!"

"If you loved her, why did you agree to let Tessa take her place at the wedding?!"

The question was deafening, instantly freezing the expression on Elias's face. He breathed heavily, completely unsure of how to react.

It wasn't until a sharp, shattering sound echoed behind them that they finally snapped back to reality, both whipping their heads around.

Tessa Thorne stood there, her eyes completely red, a ceramic ornament shattered into pieces at her feet.

Elias froze for a second, a frantic thought crossing his mind: How much of their conversation had she heard? Did she hear the part where he said he loved Willow?

Panic flared in his chest, and he quickly walked over to her. "Tessa, what are you doing here?"

Tessa wiped her tears, looking aggrieved yet stubbornly refusing to sob out loud. She pulled out a wet wipe, walked over to Xavier, and began delicately dabbing the filth off his clothes.

Xavier's heart immediately softened. His throat felt dry as he softly called her name. "Tessa..."

"Don't say it, Xavier, I understand," Tessa said, her emotions finally breaking out like a collapsed dam. "I was just worried about you guys. I was scared you'd get into a fight with Willow, so I secretly followed you. I heard everything you just said... It turns out I'm the one who stole the love you both should have given to Willow. I was just too greedy."

Hearing her words, both Xavier and Elias were engulfed in a heavy wave of guilt, unable to utter a single word in response.

Seeing their reactions, Tessa felt an instant wave of relief. Thank goodness she had rushed over the moment she got a tip from her private investigator. Otherwise, she might have permanently lost her place in both their hearts.