Chapter 225 The Rightful Wife and The Mistress
But Leo, on the other hand, didn’t bother to assert his significance in Hera’s heart in front of his love rivals. Despite sensing their unwelcoming attitude and their apparent interest in his future wife, Leo couldn’t care less about them at the moment. He was too preoccupied with his own nervousness and fear that Hera might come to hate him because of what happened earlier.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he scanned the room eagerly to see Hera. When he didn’t find her there, a sense of emptiness and disappointment washed over him. Simultaneously, fear gripped his heart, worrying that Hera might be angry and avoiding him. He knew he needed to give her space to process everything, yet the uncertainty of her feelings weighed heavily on him. The mere thought of her hating him was enough to send a shiver down his spine; the idea of it shattered his heart into a million pieces before it even happened.
Feeling the urgency to ensure Hera’s safety and protect her from any potential threats, Leo brushed aside his own need for rest. The mere thought of other men hovering around her, waiting for a chance to swoop in, fueled his determination to see her. Without hesitation, he headed straight for Hera’s private room, unwilling to entertain the idea of leaving her side for even a moment longer.
As if confirming his worst fears, Leo found himself confronted by the very situation he had dreaded. These would-be rivals were now standing guard, attempting to form a barrier around Hera, as if vying to claim her attention for themselves.
Despite the setback, Leo refused to concede defeat so easily. Initially, he had felt encouraged by the progress he had made with Hera. She hadn’t shown any signs of pushing him away or growing wary of him during their recent interactions. In fact, he had sensed a growing favorability in her regard toward him. However, this incident now made him feel as though he had been relegated to the bottom of the list, halting the smooth progress he had been enjoying just hours before.
As Leo was led into the room by Zhane’s subordinate, his heart felt like it might leap out of his chest, a mix of happiness and nervousness swirling within him. He couldn’t meet Hera’s eyes, instead keeping his gaze fixed on the floor, his fingers fidgeting nervously. He felt like a child awaiting reprimand from their parents for misbehaving.
Leo appeared both endearingly cute and pitiful as Hera observed him, her apprehensions melting away at the sight of him. With a gentle smile, she beckoned him closer. "Come here," she said, extending her hand, free from any IV needle, in a welcoming gesture toward Leo.
Leo, his IV drip trailing behind him as he weakly navigated the spacious private room, felt his gloomy world instantly brighten at Hera’s gentle invitation. Despite his nerves and fear, he approached tentatively, resembling a frightened dog with trembling shoulders.
Despite his fear, Leo mustered the courage to approach Hera and cautiously took a seat beside her. Fortunately, Dave showed some tact, giving Leo the space he needed without making a scene. It was unclear whether Dave’s concession stemmed from the realization that their group was at fault and Leo was an unintended casualty, or if it was merely because of Tyler’s actions involving Athena, which inadvertently implicated Leo. Regardless, they all understood that Leo was now also a victim. While their previous prejudices and Dave’s animosity towards Leo had lessened slightly, it didn’t mean that Dave’s dislike for Leo had vanished completely.