Chapter 104. She Stays

PEONY CRIMSON’S POV

The sweet warmth in Xavier's arms brought a sense of safety and serenity to my soul. For a few seconds, the world seemed to be ours alone. I drank in the rhythm of his heart, merging with my own. To the love I found in the way his eyes looked at me, a single tear slid from the corner of my eye.

As he gently set me back down on the ground, out of nowhere an excruciating pain pierced my chest, making my breath catch in my throat.

"Ouch!" I hissed softly, trying to endure the pain. Xavier noticed immediately, his eyes full of worry as he released his embrace.

"Peony, what happened?" His voice was full of anxiety.

"Ughh!" I groaned, "I don't feel good."

I squeezed my left chest, which felt as though thousands of needles were sticking out of it. My head was heavy and my breathing was laborious. Breathing became challenging, as if something were tightly constricted around my chest. The intense beating against my ribs and the churning sensation in my stomach made the pain