CHAPTER 193
Arianna stood frozen, her eyes darting nervously between the two men. A tempest of feelings raged within her, caught between her instinct to stay and her escalating worry about leaving Xander and Alan alone. The atmosphere crackled with tension, and an unsettling intuition warned her that trouble could brew if she turned her back.
She chewed on her lip, paralyzed by indecision, her thoughts racing as she weighed the risks of each choice. Should she remain to maintain harmony, or could she trust them to manage without her? The ambiguity gnawed at her insides, complicating her ability to make a choice.
She was uncertain about Xander’s motive and feared that her departure might escalate the tension.
The last thing Arianna wanted was for Xander and Alan to clash, which could result in Alan getting upset and potentially jeopardizing Charlie’s treatment.
The possibility of an argument made her hesitate. Just as she was about to voice her concerns, Alan interjected,
“I need to speak with Mr. King privately as well. It’s fine; you can head inside,” Alan said.
Arianna was momentarily stunned, almost questioning if she had misunderstood. Was she the one who didn’t belong?
“Really?” Arianna asked, looking at Alan with confusion. He gave her a reassuring smile and nodded.
With both men indicating they wanted privacy, Arianna had no choice but to comply. She responded curtly,
“Alright then. I’ll leave you two to it.”
She turned slowly and made her way back into the house, feeling uneasy about the situation.
Alan and Xander remained, exchanging a moment of silence. After a brief pause, Alan finally spoke,
“Mr. King, please forgive my bluntness, but I’m well aware of the issues you and Arianna had in the past, including your very public separation. If I recall correctly, you left her standing at the altar on your wedding day,” Alan said, his tone steady as he met Xander’s gaze.
Xander’s eyes widened in shock, his expression hardening as the temperature between them seemed to drop. His normally composed demeanour cracked for a moment, revealing the sting of the accusation.
Alan held his ground and asked pointedly, “So, tell me, are you genuinely committed to her now, or is history going to repeat itself?”
After discovering Arianna and Xander's marriage during the press conference, Alan couldn't resist searching for more details once he returned to his hotel.
A quick online search unveiled a wealth of information.
He soon learned about the difficult history between Arianna and Xander. It became clear that Arianna had been effectively forced to leave and live in hardship abroad.
The information showed her intense battles and sense of loneliness, which shed light on the ongoing sadness in her eyes and the faraway look she often had, despite her efforts to seem composed on the surface.
Even after Arianna tied the knot with Xander, a shadow lingered over her, suggesting that genuine happiness remained elusive. Her smile, though present, lacked the spark of joy in her eyes. It appeared that her sole focus was on nurturing Charlie's health and well-being.
Alan resolved to trust his instincts in light of these revelations. His expertise as a doctor allowed him to accurately assess both his professional judgments and his personal feelings for Arianna.
Alan had always admired the delicate balance of fragility and strength that defined Arianna. It was a quality that drew him to her, perhaps even before he had left for his trip abroad. His concern for her had been so profound that he went out of his way to track down her address and check on her when communication had ceased.
That’s why he chose to heed his heart’s call, accepting Arianna’s invitation and bringing the bouquet of pink roses to her. He wanted to convey his feelings directly, to let her know he was prepared to wait for her, no matter the circumstances.
However, Xander’s unexpected appearance at the villa complicates matters. It was as if Xander had anticipated Alan's intentions.
With a cool, measured tone, Xander replied,
“Dr. Woods, could you clarify your position? In what capacity are you asking about my intentions towards Arianna?”
Alan met Xander’s gaze, his usual gentleness now edged with a sharper intensity. “I’m speaking to you as a man and as someone who has feelings for Arianna.”
Xander’s expression grew colder, his voice taking on a steely edge. “You’re quite direct, I’ll give you that.”
He paused for a moment, then let a wry smile touch his lips.
“It’s not every day someone openly declares their admiration for my wife. Tell me, Dr Woods, do you believe in your charm so strongly that you’re willing to dismiss me so easily, or is this a sign of contempt?”
Alan’s eyes narrowed slightly, though he maintained his composure. Having spent over an hour with Xander, he recognized the man’s formidable presence and the unsettling aura that accompanied it.
Xander was not only formidable but also deeply intimidating.
Despite this, Alan felt no fear. His commitment to Arianna was unwavering, even in the face of such a powerful adversary.
Alan recognized with painful clarity that he had no real place in Arianna’s heart. While he harboured feelings for her, it was evident that she did not reciprocate those feelings. Continuing to pursue her would be futile unless there was mutual affection.
Moreover, Xander’s presence in Arianna’s life, and possibly her lingering feelings for him, meant that anyone else was unlikely to stand a chance.
Alan felt a pang of sadness as he came to this realization. Despite this, he addressed Xander with deliberate intensity.
“Mr. King, Arianna is an extraordinary woman. I’m fully aware that she doesn’t see me in a romantic light, but I sincerely hope you’ll treasure and respect her. Don’t let her go through the same hardships she endured while she was abroad.”
Xander’s eyes narrowed sharply at the mention of Arianna’s past struggles.
"Hardships abroad..."
Alan managed a strained smile. “I say this as a concerned friend.”
“What are..…”
Alan raised his eyes to meet Xander’s with an intensity that underscored his seriousness.
“However, Mr.King, if you ever treat Arianna poorly or abandon her like before, I won’t hesitate to take her away from you, even if it means opposing you.”
Xander’s gaze sharpened, and he smirked faintly. “You won’t get that chance.”
Alan observed Xander carefully, aware that beneath his hard and ruthless exterior, Arianna held a unique place in Xander’s heart. With a knowing nod, Alan let out a quiet sigh.
Alan extended his hand once more, his tone shifting to a more formal note. “On behalf of my medical team, I want to thank you for your generous donation. Your support will greatly benefit every patient our team treats in the future.”
Xander shook Alan’s hand firmly. “It’s a contribution from both Arianna and myself.”
Alan nodded, “I appreciate that. And if you ever need anything in the future, feel free to reach out to me.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Alan replied with resolve. He had no reason to turn down the support from someone as influential as the King Group.
Xander re-entered the house, casting a sidelong glance at the figure he could just make out trying to hide behind the curtains. A smile touched his lips as he continued inside.
