Chapter 422

Willow had said what needed to be said. Now, she got up to leave. Xavier caught hold of her hand. His hand felt hot and sweaty against her skin. Startled by this move from him, she instinctively yanked her hand free of his grip. “Xavier Hughes!” she shrieked. “I believe I’ve made myself clear! Perhaps you got the wrong idea, after that incident with the car?! Let’s get this straight: I didn’t do it for your sake; I did it at Samantha’s request! Anyway, there were two lives in danger! I’d have done exactly the same for a complete stranger—and that’s why I was willing to do that for you!” Willow was distraught, overwrought. Her eyes, clear as a mountain spring in a secluded valley, caught the light and sparkled beautifully, as she gazed up at him. What she needed to do was get him to give up on her. Jasper had been explicit on that point. What happened that night, five years ago, had irreparably severed the relationship between Willow and Xavier: Xavier had cheated on her with