CHAPTER 12
Arianna's hands shook as she reached for the buttons on her clothes, her heart pounding in her chest. With each button undone, she felt a wave of vulnerability wash over her.
She hesitated, her resolve wavering, but she couldn't bring herself to strip completely. Instead, she left her undergarments on, a small act of defiance in the face of her humiliation.
With a deep breath, she lay down on the bed, her pulse racing as she waited in tense anticipation.
The sound of footsteps approached, echoing in the dimly lit room.
As her husband drew nearer, Arianna's pulse quickened, her senses on high alert. The weight of his presence settled on the bed beside her, sending a shiver down her spine.
Though she couldn't see his face in the darkness, she could feel his intense gaze fixed on her. It was as if his eyes bore into her soul, filling her with a sense of unease.
Despite the lack of light, Arianna could sense the power emanating from him, casting a shadow over the room. Even in her fear, she couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity that washed over her.
This man...there was something about him that stirred a long-forgotten memory, though she couldn't quite place it.
Arianna's thoughts scattered as the man's hands landed firmly on her neck, sending a chill down her spine. His touch was cold against her skin, and she couldn't help but shiver in response.
His cold eyes only added to her discomfort, the mockery evident in his gaze
Arianna's frown deepened as she clenched the sheets tightly.
Despite her discomfort, Arianna remained silent, her fingers tightening around the sheets beneath her as she braced herself for whatever came next.
The man's hands wandered over Arianna's body, devoid of any hint of desire but rather filled with a calculated intent to demean her.
Arianna complied with his silent demands, yet his demeanor only grew more infuriated rather than satisfied. His advances became bolder, crossing boundaries of decency.
As his fingers lingered on her bra strap, poised to remove it, Arianna's patience snapped. With a surge of defiance, she pushed him away forcefully, catching him off guard.
In the blink of an eye, Arianna swiftly pulled the blanket over herself, seeking refuge from the uncomfortable situation. With a determined gesture, she reached for the bedside lamp, flooding the room with light.
As her eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness, the man's features gradually emerged from the shadows. Arianna's breath hitched as recognition dawned upon her.
It was Xander—the man she had once loved and loathed in equal measure. The revelation sent a jolt of shock coursing through her veins, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Arianna's eyes lingered on Xander's features, his elegant face devoid of expression. She sighed heavily and tried not to lose her cool while asking,
"Xander, why... Why are you here?" in a calm voice. Xander got up from the bed, his massive bulk illuminating the room.
Arianna noticed him even though he was dressed simply; his powerful presence filled the room.
His eyes pierced hers, showing no warmth in their depths. He sidestepped her inquiry and asked,
"What do you think?" with a small smirk twitching at the corners of his mouth.
Arianna's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with disbelief. Could it be that the man she despised the most, Xander, was the one standing before her as her newlywed husband?
Her voice trembled as she dared to voice her realization,
"You... You're my newlywed husband?"
Xander's demeanor remained composed as he nonchalantly adjusted his cufflinks, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.
"You're not as stupid as I thought," he remarked casually.
Despite her suspicions being confirmed, Arianna couldn't help but feel stunned by the revelation.
She had agreed to marry this mysterious man as a means of escaping Xander's influence, only to find herself bound to him once again.
The question echoed in her mind, relentless and haunting. Why had fate played such a cruel trick on her, forcing her into a marriage with the one person she wanted to avoid at all costs?
Married to the man who had left her standing alone at the altar, Arianna found herself grappling with disbelief.
Confusion and frustration swirled within her as she struggled to come to terms with this unexpected turn of events.
Having been left at the altar by this very man two years prior, Arianna couldn't fathom why he would suddenly agree to marry her now. The humiliation she endured in front of the entire country still lingered, casting a shadow of doubt over Xander's motives.
Despite the bitterness of their past, Arianna couldn't shake the nagging question from her mind. Why would Xander, who had openly scorned her and accused her of drugging him a few days earlier, now agree to marry her?
Arianna couldn't help but entertain the thought that perhaps there was a glimmer of lingering affection beneath Xander's disdainful exterior.
Yet, she quickly dismissed the notion, rationalizing that there must be a more calculated motive behind his sudden decision to marry her.
