At that moment, Xavier lookedpletely defenseless.


    He was curled up in a corner of the bathroom, clutching himself tightly.


    His hair was disheveled, and his blue-and-white hospital gown was soaked with fresh blood-clearly, his wounds had reopened.


    Half of his face was buried in his arms, revealing only a pair of bloodshot, terrifying eyes.


    Those eyes were filled with exhaustion and a violent hostility strong enough to destroy anything.


    He stared at Scarlett with a guarded, feral re, as if he might leap out like a furious beast and tear her to pieces at any second.


    Scarlett was startled by the sight, but not a trace of fear lingered on her face. She calmly raised both hands above her head and approached him cautiously.


    Her voice was soft, gentle, andforting. "Don''t be scared, I won''t hurt you. And please don''t hurt me, okay?


    "Can I touch you? Just a slight touch to help you feel better. Don''t be afraid. I''ll protect you. No one will hurt you."


    Step by step, she drew closer, slowly reaching out her hand. Xavier still red at her with those crimson eyes, unmoving.


    It wasn''t until her hand gentlynded on his head that a faint tremble passed through him. As if something had flickered in his memory, a glimmer of realization lit up his eyes.


    A raspy, nearly inaudible voice escaped his throat. "Scarlett..."


    "Yes, it''s me," she answered softly. "I''m Scarlett."


    "You must be so tired these past few days... Want to sleep for a while? I''ll stay right here. No one will disturb you."


    She fully ced her palm on his head, using her thumb and forefinger to gently massage acupuncture points.


    He stared up at her without blinking, but his wild, violent energy gradually began to dissipate.


    His reactions were slightly dyed. Then, a surge of intense emotion suddenly surfaced in his deep, dark eyes.


    Just as Scarlett lowered her head to retrieve her silver needles from her kit, Xavier abruptly let go of himself and leaned heavily into her arms.


    His strong arms wrapped tightly around her arm, like a scared child desperate for safety.


    Scarlett froze.


    "Don''t go." His voice was hoarse, like it hadn''t been used in days.


    She stiffly tried to ease her arm out of his grasp, but not only did he not let go, but he clutched her even tighter.


    He even growled, agitated and forceful, "I won''t let you leave!"


    Scarlett looked helpless. Given the fragile state of his nervous system, even the smallest emotional trigger could tip him over.


    She gentlyforted him, "Okay, okay... I won''t go. I''ll stay right here with you."


    She turned look at him. The light


    shone


    his deathly pale face..


    skin was nearly translucent, as if it


    I shatter at a touch Contet


    Wond


    His eyelids lowered slightly. Those long


    shadows that softened the usual sharp edges of his handsome face.


    She couldn''t help but stare at him, increasingly awestruck the more she looked.


    He had a broad forehead, sleek and full. Exquisite arched brows. Eyes that were deep and soulful. A tall,


    straight nose. And sharp, graceful lips...


    Each feature was wless. Together, they formed a face that looked like a gift


    from the gods themselves.


    Not only perfect, but breathtakingly perfect.


    She couldn''t tear her gaze away from him.


    Just then, the sound of banging on the door rang out. The voices of Caleb and


    Percy arguing from the outside followed.


    "Now''s not the time to interrupt! Hold them back!"


    "If you want to get in, you''ll have to go through me first!"


    From outside, Percy shouted toward the room, "Scarlett! How''s Uncle Xavier


    doing?"