Willow beamed at Michael and nodded. “Much better.”
Seeing Willow’s innocent, childlike demeanor, Michael felt his heart soften a bit. “I’ll treat you to dinner tonight,” he said tenderly.
“Really?” Willow burst into tears, throwing herself into Michael’s arms and sobbing, “Michael, do you know how heartbroken I’ve been because you ignored me? Every day, I dreamed you’d come see me, but you never did!”
Willow’s tears fell heavily on Michael, each drop sending a pang of pain through his heart.
Michael slowly reached out and softly patted Willow’s back. “It’s all my fault,” he murmured gently. “There, now, don’t cry.”
Willow, realizing her status was different now, quickly stopped her tears.
Willow joyfully instructed Nona, “Tell the kitchen to prepare a feast. Tonight, my husband and I will share a drink together.”
Seeing Willow so favored, Nona was even more delighted than her mistress. With a quick curtsy, she hurried off to make the arrangements.
Just as Michael was about to escort Willow back to her courtyard, the butler approached and bowed respectfully. “My Lord, Lady Osborne requests your presence.”
“Alright, go now.” Michael turned to Willow. “Mother has summoned me – probably for some discussion. You go back first; I’ll join you shortly.”
Willow really didn’t want to see Kelsey. When she heard Michael’s words, a genuine wave of relief washed over her. “Alright, I’ll do as you say, my lord,” she replied.
Escorted by her maid, Willow returned to her courtyard, while Michael headed for Kelsey’s quarters.
When he arrived, Kelsey was sitting stiffly on the settee, her face stern.
Noticing her stern expression, Michael asked, “Mother, did someone upset you?”
Kelsey put on a stern face and scolded, “Michael, you’ve been utterly disgraceful lately. You’re a married man now, yet you still keep lingering around Athena.”
“Mother, have you heard some gossip?” Michael’s brow furrowed slightly as he admitted to himself, "I still can’t let go of Athena."
He couldn’t control his feelings for Athena, but he never meant to affect her.
All he wanted to know was how Athena was doing.
Now that these rumors have reached Kelsey’s ears, he supposed they must be quite vicious.
Kelsey retorted coldly. “I used to feel sorry for her, thinking she was just neglected in this household. But now, as the saying goes, the pitied often have their own faults. Look at her – she went and pushed Fiona to get a divorce for no good reason. Tell me, what kind of decent woman would do such a thing?”
Michael’s face darkened instantly. “Mother, where did you hear such nonsense? Fiona and Nicolas’s divorce is their own business – why drag Athena into it?”
Suddenly recalling that Eloise had visited today, Michael asked, “Could it be that my mother-in-law said something to you?”
Kelsey hastily denied, “Nonsense! She only came to visit me today. Eloise is Athena’s mother – how could she possibly spread such rumors? No mother would ever harm her own child.”
Michael said firmly, “Mother, these are just baseless rumors without a shred of evidence – how can you believe them? As a woman of the household yourself, you know how vital a lady’s reputation is. Such words must never be spoken again.”
Michael’s defense of Athena only made Kelsey even more unhappy.
Kelsey thought to herself, "If Michael keeps going like this, who knows when he and Athena might rekindle their old flame?"
Kelsey’s face was grim as she spoke sternly, “Michael, I’m not being meddlesome, but now that you’re the Marquis and married, your focus should be on your family and household affairs. Stay away from those improper entanglements outside the farther, the better.”
Michael understood the implication of her words – Kelsey was warning him to stay away from Athena.
Michael didn’t want Kelsey to misunderstand, so he nodded and replied placatingly, “Understood, Mother. You needn’t worry. I’ve got it covered.”
“Your duty now is to have a child with Willow as soon as possible to continue the Osborne lineage,” Kelsey urged with a warm smile. “That way, I can become a grandmother sooner!”
Michael nodded perfunctorily. “Understood.”
Michael rose to his feet and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go check on Willow?”
Pleased to see he had taken her advice to heart, Kelsey cheerfully said, “Okay, go ahead then.”
Michael turned and left. The moment he stepped out of the courtyard, his expression darkened.
He summoned the butler and demanded, “What did Willow say to Mother?”
The butler’s face drained of color as he shook his head frantically. “Lady Willow didn’t say anything improper, sir,” he stammered. “She was just having a casual conversation with your mother.”
He wouldn’t dare tell Michael the truth – with that temper of his, he’d turn the entire Osborne household upside down.
Michael’s eyes darkened as he listened. Without a word, he turned on his heel and walked away.
Willow waited anxiously until dusk, but Michael still hadn’t returned.
She sent a servant to ask. Soon, the footman returned and reported respectfully, “Lord Osborne said he still has official duties to attend to tonight and asked you to eat first.”
Willow’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Michael clearly promised he’d have dinner with me – how could he do this?”
The footman didn’t dare say a word, keeping his head bowed in fearful silence.
Willow’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. Unable to hold back any longer, she stood up and walked out. “I’ll go ask him myself!” she shouted.
Since their wedding Michael had always found excuses to stay in his study. He didn’t even spend their wedding night with Willow.
Willow thought to herself, “Our relationship had only just started to improve today, and now he’s suddenly cold again. Why on earth is that?"
Willow was utterly heartbroken. Limping heavily, she dragged her injured leg as she made her way out.
Moments later, Willow arrived at the study, limping heavily with each step.
Just as Willow was about to enter, an attendant stepped in front of her and said respectfully, “I’m sorry, Lady Willow, but you can’t go in.”
Feeling utterly humiliated, Willow straightened up with all the authority of the lady of the house and snapped, “You lowly servant! How dare you block me? I am the young mistress of the Osborne family!”
“My lady, please calm down. These are Lord Osborne’s orders.”
Willow’s face drained of color as she recoiled in disbelief. “My lord,” she gasped, “is he truly trying to stop me?”
The attendant delivered Michael’s message, “The lord asked you to carefully consider whether you have spoken out of turn and come to him only after you’ve reflected on yourself.”
Willow frantically searched her memory. "I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?" she thought anxiously.
"All I did today was have a long, casual chat with my mother-in-law, and the only person I even mentioned was Athena. But I was actually defending Athena," Willow thought indignantly.
Willow thought bitterly, "So Michael’s protecting Athena to the point that I am not even allowed to mention her name?"
Tears streamed down Willow’s cheeks as she started toward Michael, ready to explain herself. But then Eloise’s words echoed in her mind, making her stop dead in her tracks.
Willow thought bitterly, “Mom was right. I really can’t be too nice to a man!"
She needed to give Michael a wake-up call – to make him realize he wasn’t indispensable to her.
Back when Athena was practically throwing herself at him, Michael was aloof, too.
Only when Athena stopped wanting him did Michael start to panic.
Now the tables had turned. Michael was chasing after Athena.
Willow straightened her posture, decision firm. She snapped at the attendant, “Go tell him. I didn’t do anything wrong. If he doubts me, he can investigate. There’s no need for such humiliating tactics.” With that, she held her head high and strode away.