CHAPTER 148
“If people speak the truth when they’re drunk, then Arianna must still mean something to you. So why did you end the engagement two years ago? Why did you have to be so cruel afterwards?”
Xander’s gaze grew sombre, and he pressed his lips together, remaining silent.
Grandma King, with a sense of urgency, tapped her walking stick on the floor and demanded,
"Please, tell me what's going on with you!"
Despite her insistence, Xander maintained his composure and calmly suggested,
"Grandma, why don't you take a break and rest? I'll go take a bath."
“You’re just trying to frustrate me!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with exasperation.
She had asked the same question two years ago, only to be met with the same stonewalling silence.
She knew well enough that if Xander didn’t want to speak, no amount of questioning would make him.
Had he not been unconscious from drinking the previous day, he wouldn’t have let slip Arianna’s name in his sleep.
With a deep sigh, Grandma King relented.
“Alright, I won’t press you any further. But as someone who’s older and has seen more of life, there are a few things I need to remind you of.”
She took Xander’s hand gently, giving it a reassuring pat.
“Women are deeply emotional. I’ve seen Arianna grow up, and she’s always been sensitive and caring. You can see that in her loyalty to Charlie. She never abandons those she loves and won’t easily give up on them. But if you harden her heart, making her feel cold and disheartened, she will eventually withdraw, just like she did with her selfish parents.
She paused momentarily,
"I'm not sure exactly what went down between you and Arianna, but if you still have feelings for her and cherish the relationship you had, you should think about how you'll talk to her moving forward. Keep in mind, if you want honesty, you have to be honest too."
After another thoughtful pause, Grandma King’s tone softened.
“But if you’ve truly moved on from Arianna, then I’ll accept that decision. There’s no point in forcing two people to stay together if their feelings have changed. It would only cause more pain for both you and Arianna. If divorce is what you want, then so be it. I won’t dwell on the fact that you might not have a wife. Arianna is still young, beautiful, and has a lovely personality. She’ll certainly find someone right for her. It would be best if neither of you wasted each other’s time.”
As she spoke, Grandma King’s mind wandered to a hopeful thought.
“While it may be unrealistic to expect you to give me grandchildren, if Arianna finds a new partner and starts a family, I’d still be thrilled. A grandchild to dote on would be a joy, and it would certainly bring me happiness.”
Xander’s face darkened at her words, his expression turning sombre
Grandma King appeared to overlook Xander’s sour expression and continued,
“By the way, Arianna mentioned to me recently that she’s found someone she likes. From what I know, she has good taste in men. Perhaps a divorce is the best course of action. Arianna deserves someone who will be there for her openly, and when she finds that person, she’ll need all the support she can get. If she does remarry, I’ll be prepared to arrange a proper dowry for her and—”
“Grandma!” Xander cut her off sharply, his voice firm and decisive. “I have a headache and need to rest. Please, let me be.”
Grandma King shot Xander an exasperated look, her patience wearing thin. Noting the deep flush of anger on his face and his overall distressed appearance, she sighed and decided to ease off her relentless probing. “Alright, you can rest now,” she said with a touch of sternness.
“But remember to think carefully about everything I’ve said.”
With that, she carefully manoeuvred her walking stick and made her way out of the room, moving with a deliberate pace. She closed the door behind her with a soft click, signalling the end of their discussion.
Aunt Julia, who had been eavesdropping just outside the door, couldn’t help but express her admiration. As Grandma King passed by, she gave her a thumbs up and remarked with genuine respect,
"Your method of employing subtle persuasion to gain the upper hand is truly outstanding!"
Grandma King, slightly puffed with pride, responded with a smug smile. “Oh, it’s nothing With the life experience I’ve accumulated, I’m more than adept at playing the matchmaker. I’m confident I can navigate this situation with ease.”
…
Arianna stirred awake in Rochelle’s apartment the following evening, groggily adjusting to the darkness outside. For a moment, she was disoriented, thinking she was still in the hotel suite.
Her confusion persisted until the sound of footsteps reached her ears.
Turning her heavy gaze toward the noise, Arianna saw Rochelle approaching. Dressed in casual home attire with her hair tied up loosely, Rochelle’s face lit up with a smile as she saw Arianna awake.
"You're awake at last," Rochelle exclaimed with a smile. "I was getting worried and thinking about calling an ambulance if you didn't wake up soon."
Arianna's apprehension eased slightly upon hearing Rochelle’s voice. She adjusted the blanket around her and tried to sit up, but a wave of pain washed over her, nearly causing her to collapse back onto the bed. Her entire body ached as if it had been put through a wringer.
Rochelle rushed over to support Arianna, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the bruises marring Arianna’s pale neck. The marks extended beneath her clothes, igniting a fierce anger in Rochelle’s gaze.
“That damn bastard Xander,” she fumed. “If I’d caught him yesterday, I would have made him pay dearly for what he did!”
“I’m fine! Please don’t go after him,” Arianna said, forcing a weak smile.
She had already entangled Alan in the mess, and she didn't want Rochelle to become embroiled as well. The last thing she needed was for her friends to get dragged into the conflict.
Rochelle comprehended Arianna's wish to maintain a certain image and decided to change the subject. "I also wanted to let you know that I purchased a new cell phone for you and transferred your SIM card into it."
She handed the phone to Arianna, who took it from the bedside table.
In moments like these, Rochelle proved to be a steadfast and thoughtful friend. Arianna gave Rochelle a grateful hug, her silent thanks evident in the gesture. Then, she turned on the new phone, ready to reconnect with the world.
When the screen illuminated, a flood of missed calls appeared.
Arianna was taken aback. Her hands shook slightly as she worried about Charlie’s well-being.
Holding her breath, she tapped on her address book, only to find that the missed calls weren’t from the hospital or a nurse.
They were all from Alan.
