Chapter 199
After returning home, Michael fell gravely ill.
Burning with fever, he was delirious, softly murmuring Athena’s name again and again.
Seeing Michael in this state, Kelsey Osborne felt both heartbroken and furious.
Kelsey violently swept the cup off the table, shattering it on the floor as she fumed, “All this for a woman? Look at what it has turned you into?‘
Kelsey thought to herself, ‘That Athena is truly detestable.’.
The servants all held their breath in fearful silence, not daring to make a sound. A trusted old maid stepped forward and cautiously advised, “Madam, Lord Osborne is far too sentimental. That is a grave mistake for someone in his position.”
She gently massaged Kelsey’s temples. Gradually, her anger began to fade.
But Kelsey’s expression remained troubled. In her heart, she thought, ‘This is exactly why I’m so upset. Is it really worth it for Michael to ruin himself like this, all because of Athena?‘
While the mistress and her maid were speaking, a maidservant entered and announced respectfully, “Mrs. Osborne, Miss Manson is here to see you.”
“Which Miss Monson?” Kelsey’s face darkened instantly. Having just mentioned Athena, she instinctively assumed it was her.
The maidservant answered softly, “It’s Lady Willow, ma’am.”
Kelsey’s face lit up with delight. “Show her in at once.”
Moments later, Willow entered, accompanied by Nona.
She wore a gold–lined jacket with fox fur trim and a pleated red skirt.
Her head was adorned with an elaborate set of gilded hair ornaments.
Though dressed in lavish finery, there was still an inexplicable air of vulgarity about her.
Though Willow had been raised in the Monson family, living a life of privilege and luxury since childhood, when placed beside Athena, she was reduced to mere dust, her every effort paling before Athena’s effortless grace/
ther incec never
Athena possessed an innate elegance and poise, something she was simply born with. Willow could never hope to match her.
“Lady Willow, please have a seat,” Kelsey said. Though she felt a bit disappointed, she didn’t mind much. After all, Willow waswas going to be Michael’s
wife.
Moreover, she had already devised an alternative plan.
Kelsey thought to herself, ‘Michael is hopelessly fixated on Athena. I have to find a way to snap him out of it and bring his heart back.
‘Willow is the right person to be his wife.‘
Seeing the delight in Kelsey’s eyes, Willow finally relaxed, her tension melting away.
Willow had come uninvited, fearing that Kelsey wouldn’t want to see her.
‘Unexpected. I really didn’t see this coming,‘ Willow thought, a wave of surprise washing over her.
Willow said with flattering enthusiasm, “My mother recently acquired a set of the finest cloth. Its exquisite patterns would perfectly complement your complexion, Mrs. Osborne. She entrusted me to bring it to you as a gift.”
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Willow’s eyes brimmed with sycophantic eagerness as she gestured for Nona to present the cloth.
Kelsey’s eyes lit up slightly. The Cloud pattern cloth was worth a fortune and incredibly rare.
Though inwardly pleased, Kelsey saw right through Willow’s little scheme.
She knew that the Cloud pattern Brocade was merely a pretense. Willow’s real purpose was t
to see Michael
Kelsey went along with it and struck up a warm conversation with Willow. “Lady Eloise is truly thoughtful. Once I’m feeling better, I’ll pay her a visit to express my gratitude.”
“Mrs. Osborne, are you feeling unwell?” Willow inquired with gentle concern.
Kelsey gave a light chuckle and said, “Michael has fallen ill. I’ve been quite preoccupied with his condition lately, and in this vast mansion, there’s not a
soul to share my burdens…”
Kelsey had made her intentions crystal clear. There was no way Willow could misunderstand now.
Willow struggled to contain her delight as she addressed Kelsey, “If you would permit, I would be honored to share your burdens.”
“Wouldn’t this be too much trouble for you, Willow?”
“Michael and I are already engaged, what trouble could it be? Besides, taking care of him is something I’d gladly do.”
Kelsey smiled warmly and said, “You’ve always been such a thoughtful and considerate child, Willow. I used to envy Lady Eloise for having such a wonderful daughter, but now it seems the blessing has come to our family.”
Willow’s cheeks flushed at those words.
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.
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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 lo 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.
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
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.
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