Chapter 22
“Xavier, don’t say things I don’t want to hear,” Reina said darkly as she approached and pressed him into the chair. “You’ll never see Sarah again. Let’s start fresh and live happily together.
“Come on. Try the risotto and seafood stew. I’ve been practicing my cooking for the past four years. It should taste pretty good.”
“Reina, you’re an adult. Stop being so impulsive,” Xavier said, his tone softening as he tried to reason with her. “I get it. This is all about your pride. You’re trying so hard to get me back to salvage your pride. But what about Hugo? You love him so much. Are you really willing to hurt him?”
“I stopped loving Hugo a long time ago. It’s you I love,” Reina replied. “I only finally realized that after you left.”
She placed the bowl of stew beside him and continued with a far–off look in her eyes, “You’ve been with me for so long, Xavier. You gave me security and made me used to your cooking, the lullaby you sang before bed, and the clothes you picked out for me.
“No matter when I turned around, you were always there, waiting for me. Never once did you leave. I thought I had just gotten used to you being by my side. But after you left, everything felt off.
“That’s when I realized you had already taken over my heart without me even noticing. I couldn’t give up on you. I couldn’t eat anyone else’s cooking, and I couldn’t sleep. I searched every corner of our house for your presence like I was cursed. My mind was fixed on only one thing–finding you.”
At this point, tears welled up in her eyes. “I love you, Xavier. I’m sorry it took me so long to say this. We lost four years because I couldn’t admit it
sooner.
“I’ll have my men create an online teaching platform for you. I’ll help you become a famous architecture lecturer. You won’t suffer anymore. I promise!” “I don’t need that!” Xavier cut her off. His voice was firm as he emphasized, “I’ll achieve my dreams on my own. I don’t need your help. All I want now is
to get back in time to finish my engagement ceremony. Do you understand? Wake up, Reina–we can never go back to how we were!”
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‘As long as I try, we can,” Reina said with confidence. She placed a shrimp onto his plate and gave him a gentle smile. “Eat well. I’ll take you to the beach to collect seashells later.”
Anger surged through Xavier. He slammed his fork down and stood up to leave.
Behind him, Reina’s cold voice cut through the air. “Don’t even think about running away. You won’t get far. We’re on a secluded island in the middle of nowhere. Without my helicopter, you’ll never make it back to land. Do you understand?”
“What?” Xavier froze, his blood running cold as he stared at her in disbelief. “Y–You locked me up on an island?”
“Yes. More precisely, it’s your private island.” Reina walked over to take his hand with a gentle smile. “I had people plant a peach orchard for you. It’s blooming now, and the view is breathtaking. I even had a hammock set up for you to take naps.”
“You’re insane!” Xavier yanked his hand away and stormed up the stairs.
Not long after, Reina entered his room and set a tray of food on the nightstand. Her voice was gentle as she said, “You’re too thin, Xavier. You need to eat more, okay? Listen to me.”
Xavier turned his face away, not wanting to engage with hier.
She scooped a spoonful of risotto and brought it to his lips. Her tone was commanding as she warned, “Xavier, don’t think you can fight me with a hunger strike. If you do, I’ll have your father’s ashes dug up and scattered! You know me. I always follow through.”
Xavier glared at her. “You’ve gone too far!”
As Reina gazed at him, her expression was soft and entranced. “You’re so hot when you’re angry. Your voice sounds amazing when you’re yelling at me too. I love it. Eat more so you have the energy to keep yelling at me, okay? Come on. Take a bite.”
