Page 163 of King of Ruin

He never noticed those small efforts himself.

But she always had.

And that was exactly what made this so unbearable.

She wanted to be angry. She wanted to push him away and remain indifferent to everything he did, yet every small gesture only reminded her why she had fallen in love with him in the first place.

But he had already made his choice.

He had chosen to bring another woman into their relationship.

She couldn't pretend that hadn't happened.

So, she turned her face away again, her vision blurring as tears finally gathered in her eyes.

Xavier saw them immediately.

The moment the first tear escaped, every trace of frustration disappeared from his face, replaced by nothing but panic and concern. Without another thought, he quickly set the plate on the dressing table before kneeling in front of her again.

"Hey..." His voice softened instantly.

"Don't cry." He gently cupped her face, his thumbs carefully wiping away the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"It's okay," he said softly, rubbing her arms in a comforting gesture. "You don't have to eat it."

He forced a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"It's probably not even that good anyway."

His gaze briefly flickered toward the omelet before returning to her.

"I'll make it again another day," he said gently. "When you're hungry... I'll make another one for you."

He paused before adding quietly,

"Don't force yourself. You don't have to eat it."

Elise didn't answer.

She simply lowered her gaze, sniffled quietly, and turned her face away once more, refusing to let herself look at him as she sat silently in the chair.

Xavier stared at her, unable to understand when things had changed between them.

His heart refused to calm down as he watched the indifference on her face. Elise had never been like this with him. She had never refused him, not once. No matter what he asked, she always found a way to make him happy, especially when it was something he had done for her. If this had happened before, she would have eaten the omelet even if it wasn't perfect. She would have smiled at him and told him she loved it simply because he had made it himself.

But now she wouldn't even accept a bite.

She wouldn't even look at him.

And that hurt more than he wanted to admit.

Xavier tried to hide it, but the ache in his chest only grew. He looked up at her, searching her face for the warmth he was so used to seeing there.

But it wasn't there.

"Elise..." His voice came out quieter than usual. "Don't you like me anymore?"

Her eyes immediately lifted to his.