Athena entered the room and, sure enough, found Xander sulking by the window.
He clearly saw Athena come in and started to rise to greet her, but then, remembering his pique, he plopped right back down into his seat with a ball.
As Athena walked into the room, Xander couldn’t help but steal a furtive glance at her.
Though he was the one sulking, Xander inexplicably felt a pang
of guilt.
“Have you had your dinner, my do
r?” Athena asked softly
she approached Xander.
Seeing Xander with a sulky face, Athena couldn’t help but n
it a
bit amusing. She poured him a cup of coffee.
Xander met Athena’s gaze and saw her eyes brimming with mirth, utterly unbothered, as if nothing had happened.
Suddenly, a wave of bitterness and jealousy surged through Xander, threatening to drown him.
sis
‘She’s that happy just seeing Michael,‘ Xander fumed inwardly. ‘Ugh, this i
unfair.
Xander snatched up the cup and, in a fit of pique, threw his head back to gulp
it down–just
as Athena’s warning cut in, “Careful, it’s hot.”
It was too late. The coffee splashed out, scalding the back of his hand.
Athena gasped and quickly grabbed Xander’s hand, alarmed to see the angry red mark on the back. “The coffee was just hot, my dear. How could you gulp it down like that?” she scolded gently, then called out, “Trina, fetch the ointment–now.”
“Can’t you tell what’s different about me?” Xander muttered after swallowing hard twice.
He made up his mind. There was no way he was letting this slide so easily.
Athena nodded. “That huge crack in the door? Yeah, I saw it.”
Xander gasped. He was about to speak when Athena looked at him with a straight face and said, “I checked that door panel. It’s made of pine and has been falling apart for years.
“Honestly, I’ve been wanting to get rid of it for ages. Your kick was actually just right.”
Xander was stunned for a moment. ‘Is that what she should be focusing on?‘ he wondered. ‘No, this wouldn’t do. It’s time to have a proper talk with
Athena.‘
“My dear, sit down,” Xander said, taking Athena’s hand and guiding her to sit facing him.
Meeting her clear gaze, Xander cleared his throat and finally admitted, “Darling, I’m upset with you.”
Athena nodded, amusement flickering in her eyes. “I know,” she said with a playful smile.
“Shouldn’t you-” Words were stuck in Xander’s throat. He just couldn’t bring himself to say that aloud.
Xander looked at Athena with hopeful, puppy–dog eyes, silently urging her. Then he prompted, “So, what are you going to do about it?”
Athena’s eyes gleamed mischievously as she pretended to ponder. “Oh, I made my dear husband angry?” she said with exaggerated solemnity. “Then I shall punish myself by sleeping in the guest room tonight.”
“Trina, move my bedding to the guest room, Athena said, rising swiftly and issuing the order before Xander could react.
Trina swiftly directed two nimble young maids into the room. They quickly gathered Athena’s bedding and carried it to the guest room.
1/2
Chapter 378
Xander was dumbfounded, ‘Wait, this isn’t right,‘ he thought. ‘Shouldn’t she be coaxing me and apologizing fy now? And then ju
Xander wanted to ask Athena to stay, but with so many people in the room, his pride just wouldn’t let him say a word.
Xander could only watch helplessly as Athena moved her things to the guest room, unable to say a word to stop her.
Xander slumped back into his chair in utter bewilderment, staring blankly into space.
‘What the hell? I was just throwing a little tantrum. How come my wife really moved out?‘ Xander thought, utterly bewildered.
That night, Xander tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.
Back when he was alone, Xander had never given it a second thought.
bed every night, and he had long grown accustomed to her using his arm as a pillow.
That night, with Athena gone, Xander was struck by how absurdly large the bed felt. The mattress was hard, and the covers weren’t the least bit cozy. In short, nothing felt right to him.
Barefoot, Xander paced restlessly back and forth across the room, then darted to the window to peer toward the study. It seemed the study was already
Xander thought to himself, ‘Athena actually fell asleep. What a heartless woman. How could she just drift off like nothing happened?*
Ansel was standing night watch when he saw Xander storm out barefoot and disheveled. Startled, he stammered, “Your Highness?”
Xander marched up to the study door, hesitated at the sight of it firmly shut, and for a moment considered kicking it open–but thought better of it.
y curtains, hiding what lay within.
Only then did Xander realize she had set him up on purpose. Xander plopped down on the bed and immediately wrapped his arms around her slender
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