The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 344

Kelsey rose to her feet and said to Willow, “I do hope you could stay for a few more days and lend me a hand.”

Willow blushed and gave a slight curtsy. “Yes, Mrs. Osborne.”

The old maid helped Kelsey out, and Willow couldn’t wait to hurry over to Michael’s residence.

The Osborne family’s place was on par with the Monson family in grandeur, but with their direct ties to the Empress, the Osborne residence carried even greater prestige.

Even the servants in the Osborne mansion were better dressed than those at the Monson family.

Nona’s eyes lit up with awe as she took in the splendor of the Osborne family, her heart swelling with even greater delight.

Nona couldn’t help but fantasize about the luxurious life she would lead if she ever became Michael’s mistress.

Before long, Willow and Nona arrived at Michael’s private quarters.

The servants of the Osborne family were well aware of Willow’s status. Since childhood, when the two families frequently visited each other, Michael had treasured her dearly. Naturally, the servants wouldn’t dream of slighting her, and they promptly ushered Willow in with the utmost respect.

The room was thick with the pungent aroma of medicinal herbs. After Willow entered, she addressed the maidservants, “All of you, leave. I’ll take care of him.”

The maidservants bowed respectfully and swiftly withdrew from the room.

Barely containing her excitement, Willow made her way to Michael’s bedside.

Michael lay in bed, his strikingly handsome face drained of color. His long lashes rested gently over closed eyes as he slept deeply.

His strikingly handsome features made Willow’s heart race and her cheeks flush with heat.

Willow, her heart pounding with excitement, moved forward and perched at the edge of the bed. It had been so long since she’d been this close to Michael.

“Michael,” Willow grasped his hand, only to have hers seized in a tight grip in return.

In his feverish delirium, Michael murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, “Don’t go… please, don’t leave me.”

Willow’s face lit up with joy as she clasped Michael’s hand tightly. “Michael, I won’t leave. I’ll never leave you.”

Willow had loved Michael for as long as she could remember. Her feelings for him had started when they were just kids.

Even if it meant that she had to share Michael with another woman, Willow couldn’t bear to let Michael go.

Willow gently nestled against Michael’s chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart and the warmth of his breath.

In his fevered sleep, Michael instinctively pulled the figure in his arms closer, murmuring tenderly, “Athena…”

Willow’s body stiffened. She abruptly pulled herself out of Michael’s embrace and stared at him in utter disbelief.

Her eyes brimmed with both grievance and bewilderment.

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After how Athena treated him, Michael still refuses to give up on her.

Even in his dreams, he was calling out Athena’s name.

Just as Willow tried to pull away, Michael instinctively reached out and grabbed her hand, his voice hoarse and pleading in his fevered haze. “Don’t go… Athena, please don’t leave me.”

Tears spilled from Willow’s eyes as she bit down hard on her lip, forcing back the sob that threatened to escape.

Just then, Michael woke up.

As soon as Michael realized it was Willow standing before him, his dazed eyes snapped into focus. “What are you doing here?”

Tears streamed down Willow’s cheeks as she fixed Michael with a wounded, questioning gaze. “Then who did you think I was, Michael?”

“I thought…” Michael’s words trailed off as the realization struck him. Propping himself up, he asked, “When did you arrive?”

Willow reminded herself, ‘Michael prefers docile and sensible women. If I throw a tantrum now, it’ll only drive him further away.‘

Willow forced down the bitterness in her heart and managed a gentle smile. “I heard you were ill, so I made a special trip to

see you,

Michael.”

Michael fell silent for a moment, then glanced at Willow before finally saying, “I’m fine. You should head back now.”

“Michael… are you really sending me away?” Willow’s voice trembled, her red–rimmed eyes welling with tears as she gazed up at him pitifully.

“We aren’t wed yet. It’s not proper for you to stay here,” Michael said curtly.

Willow lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes. Seizing the moment, Nona stepped forward and interceded humbly, “Please forgive my boldness, Lord Osborne. Mrs. Osborne isn’t feeling well and requested my lady to stay and assist her.”

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