Chapter 428 William and Hayden （29）
Hayden stayed in the library until late, peering through the gaps between the bookshelves. She saw that William and Michelle hadn't left either, so she didn't feel like going.
Because she knew that to leave, she would have to walk past them.
She didn't want to see their faces again, together in front of her.
Hayden and William stayed put, pondering whether he should catch up with her once she left to ask her directly if she was avoiding him on purpose and why.
"Ah... William!"
All of a sudden, Michelle's pained moaning pierced the air.
William furrowed his brow and glanced over at Michelle. She was clutching her left side in pain, her face twisted with agony. Sweat had started to form on her forehead, becoming more noticeable.
"What's wrong?" Seeing a girl in such pain, William couldn't possibly ignore her.
"It's my stomach. It hurts so much," Michelle said through gritted teeth, her expression growing more pained.
"I can take you to the hospital right now," William suggested, his eyes creased with concern.
Michelle shook her head, "No, just... just take me back to my dorm. I have... I have medicine there."
"Alright," William reluctantly agreed, standing up to ask, "Can you walk?"
Again, Michelle shook her head, saying through pained gasps, "It hurts so bad!"
Watching her, William's face tightened with concern. After a brief hesitation, he bent down, scooped her up in a sideways hold, and quickly made his way out.
As William carried Michelle, Hayden, who was standing nearby, noticed them. Seeing Michelle in William's arms made Hayden angry, and she quickly closed her laptop and turned away, feeling tears in her eyes.
...
William carried Michelle all the way back to her dorm. Of course, Michelle curled up in his arms, dependent, drawing curious looks from passersby.
After they arrived at her dorm, he settled Michelle on the sofa and then, following her directions, found her stomach medicine, poured her some water, and helped her take it.
"Feeling any better?" William asked after she had taken her medicine.
He could leave if she was okay now; he didn't want to wait for Hayden to return and possibly misunderstand the situation.
To his surprise, Michelle curled up on the sofa, still looking miserable, and gave him a pitiful look. She gently shook her head, reached out, and grabbed his hand, pleading, "William, please don't go. Can you stay with me a little longer?"
Seeing her discomfort, his eyebrows drew together in concern. Gently pulling his hand from hers, he nodded, "Okay, rest for a bit. I'll stay for now."
As he finished speaking, he turned his head to glance at Hayden's room.
Under Michelle's puzzled gaze, William walked straight toward Hayden's room. The door was unlocked, and a light turned on the handle, which swung open.
The room was clean and tidy, obviously straightened up, and a faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the air.
"Hayden hasn't been staying in the dorm for four or five days. I wonder where he's been spending his nights," Michelle grumbled as she watched William turn the doorknob to Hayden's room. She stood at the door and took a long, detailed look inside, her irritation flaring.
Wasn't he supposed to have stayed for her?
Earlier that day, she had called Jasper and found out William had gone to the library. She deliberately skipped dinner to "bump into" William.
She knew very well that if she didn't eat on time, she would feel discomfort in her stomach.
But to her surprise, his mind seemed preoccupied with Hayden after William escorted her back.
Listening to the noise behind her, William turned and gave Michelle a fleeting glance, said nothing, just closed the door, walked back to the couch, and finally spoke, "It looks like you're fine now; I'll be going then."
"William, don't go!"
Just as William was about to leave, Michelle lunged forward, once again grabbing his hand. This time, she called out his name with an intimate tenderness.
At that exact moment, Hayden stood outside, key in hand, about to unlock the door.
Separated by the door, Hayden heard William's call. He froze as if struck by lightning, halting all motion.
"William, you are exactly like the prince I dreamed of when I was young, which is why I fell hopelessly in love with you the moment I first saw you."
To fall hopelessly in love at first sight...
Hayden let out a scoff outside. She had only planned to return to grab a few things, but instead, she overheard something she wasn't supposed to.
Why bother intruding when there's such a heartfelt exchange going on inside?
In the next second, Hayden collected her hand, which was still poised with the key, turned around, and strode away.
In the dorm, although William knew Michelle had feelings for him, he hadn't expected her to confess at this moment.
Subconsciously, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then, with effort, slowly withdrew his hand from Michelle's grasp.
Michelle gazed at him with tears welling in her eyes, "William..."
"When have I ever allowed you to call me by my name?" William turned to look at Michelle, his expression still gentle, but his voice was cold.
"William, I..."
"Don't address me like that; it's not fitting." This time, William didn't wait for Michelle's heartfelt words to finish; he interrupted her, saying, "You'd better not fall for me, and don't waste your feelings and time on me because the chances of me reciprocating are almost zero. That means you might like me, but you'll get nothing in return. From now on, stop asking Jasper about where I am, and don't pretend to bump into me anymore. I don't like that."
