My Four Miraculous Treasures

After several days without a bath, her scalp had been itching unbearably, so she'd washed her hair.

"How's your concussion? Feeling any better?" Xavier felt her twist her shoulder out of his grasp, leaving his hand as cold and vacant as his heart.

With all his might, he suppressed his sorrow so that it wouldn't show on the outside. Her well-being mattered more than his feelings.

"I'll be fine. I just need a few days' rest," Willow replied. "If there's nothing else, I'd like to get back now."

As she turned away to leave, Xavier declared, "We're going to go grab a bite to eat, together." He tried to make it sound assertive, as though she didn't get a say in the matter.

"I've already eaten."

"You've had dinner. Time for dessert." He opened his car door, invitingly.

Willow frowned. "I'm not hungry."noveldrama

"Alright! I guess I'll go have a chat with Jasper, then!" Xavier snapped, delivering an implied threat.

“No, don't!” Willow's resolve folded instantly. She obediently got into his car, and Xavier drove off with her aboard.

After a short ride, they arrived at a fine dining restaurant. It was a classy place.

The two of them sat at a table by the window, looking out upon a beautiful garden with a fountain in the center.

The flowers were a vibrant and colorful display. The fountain threw up a cloud of mist that gave the whole place a romantic and cozy sort of atmosphere.

The waiter served them a steak. It looked delicious. It smelled delicious.

And there was no doubt that it would have been extraordinarily delicious... to someone who'd come here with an appetite.

Tragically, what Willow had brought with her was a full tummy instead. She'd had a lot to eat for dinner. There had even been cake. There was no space left- certainly not for a steak.

To a person whose hunger was fully satiated, even the finest cuisine was no more appetizing than the plate it was served on.

Xavier handed her knife and fork. "Eat up."

"I'm not hungry. You can have it all to yourself."

Things were permanently over between Xavier and her, and so coming to a place like this to have a romantic dinner date together... she found it deeply irksome. Xavier averted his gaze to hide the pain in his eyes. "So you won't even share a meal with me anymore? I suppose you'd much prefer Jasper, instead?"

"I'm not hungry at all, really. I had a whole lot to eat, earlier. The company at the table is not the issue," she lied.

"I don't mind your past involvement with Jasper. I still love you. If you'd have me, I'd lay the whole world at your feet. I could take you far away from your troubles here."

Xavier didn't touch the food, either. He just sat there, gazing at Willow with heartfelt emotion.

Tonight, he'd set out with the determination to have this conversation with her. All his life, he'd never loved any woman besides her.

Willow was stunned. She hadn't expected Xavier to say such things to her.

She thought back to the time when Xavier suddenly appeared at her place, just when she'd discovered that George Lane might be the one who'd caused the death of Jasper's parents. Though she'd tried to flee for dear life, she'd fallen right into Jasper's clutches anyway.

That time, Jasper had mistakenly assumed that Willow meant to elope with Xavier.

Jasper had imprisoned her in his

Royal Garden, punished her so badly she couldn't even get out of bed During those four horrible days as

his hostage, she'd very nearly starved to death.

Willow still vividly remembered the terror of that whole ordeal.

She'd nearly been tortured to death over a simple misunderstanding. If she actually went anywhere with Xavier, Jasper would probably rend her limb from limb.

Anxious and agitated, Willow replied, "Xavier, where did you get such an idea?! I've told you so many times already. You deserve far better than me, and many other girls out there would be happy to be with you! Stop wasting any more of your time on me!"