Serena suddenly looked up, her expression complex, as if she understood something. "Is it because what she said made me feel more guilty, and that's why you acted that way toward her?!"
"Otherwise, what?! She made you uncomfortable, so why should I show her any courtesy?" The man answered confidently.
Serena's nose began to tingle again. She quickly inhaled, not wanting to lose composure in front of him.
She rubbed her nose and casually asked, "How do you feel now? If you're able to walk, let's get to the hospital room as soon as possible."
Xavier propped himself up on the bed, moving his wrist a bit. "I'm much better. I feel like I've recovered. There's no need for more treatment. I can discharge myself."
With that, he got off the bed and walked toward the door.
Serena quickly followed a few steps, grabbing his arm from behind. "Stop messing around! You have acute pneumonia! You've only had a little medicine; there's no way you're recovered!"
"I'm really fine now! Look!" Xavier jumped up twice. "I was dizzy earlier, but I'm fine now."
"The medicine you just got was just to ease your symptoms temporarily! If you don't continue treatment, your condition will relapse quickly!"
Seeing Serena's worried expression, Xavier felt surprisingly good.
He leaned his handsome face close, whispering in her ear, "Will you stay with me? If you stay in the hospital with me, I might consider staying for treatment. If you don't, then fine-this damn hospital, whoever wants to stay can stay!"
"You..." Serena laughed in frustration. "Mr. Blaze, your body is your own! If your condition worsens, it's not me who will suffer!"
Xavier crossed his arms confidently, raising his head. "Just tell me, are you staying or not?!"
Serena tilted her head up, only able to see the faint stubble emerging on his chin.
In that instant, she suddenly realized that the outstanding man before her was no longer the reckless boy who used to chase after her.
Xavier's features were incredibly defined, his jawline especially sharp. From her angle, his face seemed to be carved from stone, like a rare work of art, impossible to look away from.
After a long pause with no reply from her, Xavier instinctively looked down, meeting her big eyes, which were admiring his beauty.
Their gazes met, sparks flying.
He found his own reflection in her eyes.
Suddenly, Serena felt an overwhelming shadow fall over her, and before she could react, a soft touch landed on her lips.
Before she could even comprehend what had happened, the softness was quickly pulled away.
Her fragmented consciousness slowly came back together. Serena raised her hand to touch her lips, then lowered her head to look at her fingertips.
Xavier's expression was flustered. He quickly explained, "Serena, I'm sorry, I... I lost control for a moment..."
Serena furrowed her brows.
Strange?! Why didn't she feel the rejection and disgust she imagined?! On the contrary, she actually felt... pleased!
Seeing her frowning, Xavier became even more flustered. He wanted to grab her hand but didn't dare.
His long fingers hovered in mid-air, unsure of what to do.
Serena raised her eyes to look at him, asking, "Before you recover, I'll stay with you in the hospital. Now, can we go to the hospital room?!"
The man suddenly froze, staring back at her with a look of shock. "Just now... I... don't mind it, I'll be careful next time..."
"Alright..." His explanation hadn't even finished before he stopped in place, his eyes wide open in disbelief.
Serena blinked her eyes, her long curled lashes trembling slightly like two butterflies fluttering in front of her.
Her lips were delicate and soft, sweeter than the sweetest honey to him.
The heart in his chest beat fiercely, and without thinking, Xavier pulled her tightly into his embrace, kissing her.
Before deepening the kiss, he pulled back slightly, murmuring softly, "Serena, this time, it was you who provoked me!"
Before Serena could react, he leaned in again, kissing her lips deeply.
At that moment, Serena's mind went blank. She didn't have time to think, nor to weigh the consequences. She just wanted to let go, letting herself fall into the whirlpool of this primal desire.
Her small, delicate hands slowly rose and gently landed on Xavier's back.
The soft touch made him let out a low moan.
A fire burned in his abdomen, intense and scorching.
"Serena!" Clenching his teeth, he forced himself to pull back, resting his forehead against hers. He suppressed his voice, saying, "I can't do this! If it goes on like this, I'll lose control! I have no resistance to you!"
Serena lowered her head, looking at her toes, breathing heavily.
It was only at this moment that she realized what she had just done.
In that one glance, she saw deep affection in his eyes, something she had never seen before.
His dark, endless eyes were like a mysterious black hole in the night sky, pulling her in with no resistance.
Without thinking, she tiptoed and kissed him.
The loud ringing of a phone interrupted them, harsh in the quiet space.
Serena frowned, reaching into her bag to pull out her phone.
She glanced at the caller ID and immediately pressed reject without hesitation.
Xavier watched all of this, his voice low and gentle in her ear. "You've already divorced Clint, and Poppy is still causing trouble for you?"
Serena shook her head. "Don't pay attention to her! She's got a screw loose!"
The man frowned seriously. "Serena, you never take things to heart, but in the end, it just lets those who bully you get even more brazen! Poppy is clearly a troublesome woman. Don't worry, I'll handle it!"
"No need!" Serena raised her eyes. "I'll handle my own business!"
Poppy had insisted on talking about their fathers' past, making an unshakable claim that Gaius' death was related to her father, Bram.
Although Serena didn't believe it, she was still worried that it might be true.
So, she didn't want to make a big deal out of it and definitely didn't want Xavier involved.
However, her refusal was seen by the man in a completely different light.
Xavier's face turned pale, and he looked at her unhappily. "Serena, we've come this far, and you're still treating me like an outsider?"
"..." Serena furrowed her brows. "It was just a kiss; it doesn't mean anything. I appreciate your kindness, but my affairs don't require your involvement."
***