Hearing footsteps approaching, Celia looked expectantly toward the door.
But only Christan came back.
Her face fell, and she asked unhappily, "Christan, where's Xavier?!"
"He had something to do, so he left first," Christan replied calmly.
"But... he didn't say he had something to do when you both went out," Celia mumbled in disappointment.
She thought for a moment, then frowned. "Did you say something unpleasant that made Xavier angry?"
Christan sighed helplessly. "Between me and him, who's your real brother, huh? Really, girls grow up and just forget their families. You're not even with him, and already you're taking his side."
"That's not what I meant!" Celia said quietly. "It's just... it's so rare that I get to see Xavier."
"I've told you before. Xavier isn't right for you. My advice is to pull yourself together and stop wasting your feelings on him."
"Christan!" Celia whined. "Your little sister has only ever liked one man in her whole life, and he's your good friend! You won't help me win him over, fine-but why pour cold water on me?"
"I'm just giving you objective advice. Celia, as your brother, everything I say is for your own good."
"I don't care! I like Xavier! Every time he smiles, I feel like my heart's melting!"
"But he's never responded to your feelings."
"That just means I haven't shown enough sincerity yet-I haven't touched his heart."
Christan frowned. "What if you never move him, not even in your whole life? Are you planning to waste it all on him?"
"Why wouldn't I move him?" Celia said, eyes glowing. "I'm not lacking in any way. As long as Xavier doesn't have someone else in his heart, I still have a chance! And besides, you heard it too-he said he's going to clear up the scandal for me! If he really didn't care at all, why would he take the initiative to help?"
"..." Christan clenched his jaw, barely holding back the truth about Serena.
Celia had just come out of danger, just regained consciousness. It was better not to upset her now.
If she found out that Xavier's heart belonged to Serena, she definitely wouldn't be able to handle it.
And if she did something foolish again, she might not get lucky a second time.
"Forget it. Right now you're all caught up in Xavier's looks, and nothing I say will reach you. Some things... you'll come to understand with time."
With that, Christan raised his wrist and glanced at his watch.
"I'm going to the lounge to get Mom."
"Mom's here too?" Celia asked softly, a trace of guilt in her voice.
"Yeah," Christan said as he walked out. "You really scared her. She hasn't even had a sip of water since this morning. I told her to rest in the lounge so she wouldn't collapse."
"I'm sorry... I was too selfish. I made you all worry."
Christan's steps halted. Something about her tone struck him as odd.
Celia had been spoiled from a young age-being willful was expected.
But she'd rarely ever apologized.
Hearing her genuinely say sorry now... he wasn't quite used to it.
At the same time, his heart ached for her. "Forget it. It's enough that you're okay. Mom's going to be so happy when she sees you awake."
With that, he walked out of the ward.
Reception Room.
The moment Xavier walked in, he saw Serena pacing back and forth.
"Serena!"
Serena instantly looked up at him. "How is Celia?!"
"Don't worry. She's okay now."
The man strode over to her and stopped in front of her, grumbling playfully, "When will I ever see you this worried for me?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Serena smacked his chest, exasperated. "I wouldn't worry about you, because you'd never do something like that!"
"Aha, so my Serena does hope I'm okay."
"Obviously!" Serena rolled her eyes. "Would I hope you'd go do something stupid like Celia and try to kill yourself?!"
"I'm not that dumb. If I died, I wouldn't get to see you again. I couldn't bear that."
Her heart fluttered, a warm current slowly rising inside her.
Serena's cheeks flushed, and she quickly changed the topic. "Are you staying? If yes, I'll just head back first."
His slender fingers traced along the side of her face, his voice low and tender.
"You asking me that makes me think... you really want to go home with me."
"I-! I didn't say that!"
"Not saying it doesn't mean you didn't think it."
Her cheeks burned even hotter. She turned away. "I'm done talking nonsense with you. Stay or don't. I'm leaving."
Just as she took a step, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
"You've checked on her, you've lost your temper-now you want to leave? Not so fast."
"Huh?!"
Before she could react, her body was pulled back into a firm, warm embrace.
"Ah!" she gasped instinctively-then found herself in his arms.
The man looked down at her, a faint smirk on his lips. "Serena, it's at least a half-hour drive from here to home. I can't wait that long. What do I do?"
"Wait for what?!"
Her wide, innocent eyes looked up at him, pure and confused-making his heart itch unbearably.
Cursing softly under his breath, he leaned down and kissed her parted, cherry-red lips.
"Mm-"
It wasn't until Serena was nearly breathless that he finally let her go, giving her a chance to breathe.
"W-What are you doing?!"
She wiped her now-wet lips with the back of her hand, both embarrassed and annoyed.
"Are you crazy?! What if someone comes in and sees?!"
"No one would dare come in here without permission. And even if they did, so what? I'm kissing my own wife-who would dare say anything?"
"W-Who's your wife...!"
Before she could finish, he cut her off.
His sharp eyes locked onto her hand still wiping her lips. "Serena, stop wiping. Even if you clean it off now... it's just going to get wet again soon."
***