CHAPTER 219
Xander and Arianna hadn't crossed paths since they were infants, yet Xander had the unique opportunity to witness her transformation from childhood to womanhood through photos and stories.
As the years went by, her features gradually developed. Her skin became more radiant, her figure more delicate, and her smile grew warmer, framed by eyebrows that arched into playful curves.
Xander’s grandfather often remarked on how Arianna was blossoming into a beauty, but Xander would dismiss such remarks, saying she was only slightly more attractive than when she was a child. He’d add, with a bit of teasing, that at least she hadn’t grown up to be unattractive.
When Arianna’s family moved to the Imperial Capital and settled next door to the King's, Xander’s grandfather invited her over to meet them. That day marked the first time Xander saw Arianna in person.
She was bold for her age, her large, curious eyes scanning the room before landing on him. Xander noticed the flash of amazement in her gaze, a look he was quite familiar with—girls had often looked at him that way ever since he was a boy.
Curious himself, Xander observed her quietly.
She was undeniably more striking in person than she had ever seemed in the photos, though he wouldn’t go as far as calling her truly beautiful.
There was, however, something captivating about her eyes—sharp, focused, and full of life. He couldn’t help but recall that she had first noticed him when she was just a baby, during her one-year-old catch.
Still, despite her presence, Xander remained unmoved.
Though he had respect for Arianna’s grandfather, his opinion of the rest of her family was less favourable. He found their overt ambition repulsive, particularly in how they didn’t bother to hide their greed. The pressure to pair him with Arianna had become a running theme, with many around him hoping for that match.
Arianna herself had become increasingly persistent, often finding ways to be near him, always hovering within arm’s reach. Yet, Xander remained uninterested. His disinterest in Arianna mirrored his feelings toward most people, especially women.
Perhaps it was a result of his upbringing and the disillusionment from witnessing his parents' dysfunctional marriage, but Xander had always kept his emotions at arm’s length. He was indifferent and detached, and relationships—especially romantic ones—held little allure for him.
He never paid much attention to women, Arianna included. But life has a way of surprising even the most steadfast individuals.
Ironically, despite his initial aloofness and lack of interest, Xander would eventually find himself drawn to Arianna in ways he never expected.
Arianna threw caution to the wind, stepping in front of Xander to shield him from the bullet. In that split second, she forced him to truly see her, making it impossible for him to turn away any longer.
He had never responded to her feelings, yet she continued to put everything on the line for him, ignoring all the risks.
At that moment, Xander wondered if fate had played its hand when she had chosen him as a baby. From that day forward, their lives seemed destined to be connected in ways he hadn’t fully understood until now.
Maybe it was his turn to reach out and grab hold of her.
Xander had never experienced a serious relationship before this. Dealing with the ups and downs of feelings and connecting with someone like Arianna was completely new to him.
He usually kept to himself, not knowing how to share his thoughts. However, Arianna, with her boundless curiosity and quirky, impulsive ideas, always found a way to draw him into her adventures. She never acted distant towards him, even though he was often quiet.
Loud, impulsive, and bursting with energy, Arianna was everything that usually put him off in a person. And yet, with her, it was different. He found himself listening to her intently, watching her every move, and quietly fulfilling her whims without a second thought.
He didn’t know when it happened, but he started to smile when she did, especially when she called his name with that spark in her eyes.
“This is what love must feel like,” he mused to himself.
The dream he was having was so sweet, so full of happiness, that Xander didn’t want to leave it. He wanted to stay in that place, wrapped in the warmth of Arianna’s laughter, forever.
At least, that was true until he heard her crying.
…
Tears streamed down Arianna’s face as she clutched Xander’s hand tightly. Her heart was heavy with fear. After a moment, she tried to release her grip, but at the very last second, she felt the faintest pressure—the tiniest squeeze from his fingers.
Startled, Arianna’s eyes widened, and she quickly looked over at him. But his hand went limp again, and there was no further movement.
Had she imagined it?
With renewed hope, Arianna held his hand even tighter, her voice trembling with emotion.
“Xander, can you hear me?
“You have to fight this. You have to wake up!
There are so many people waiting for you. I’m waiting for you, too! Xander, you can’t leave us. You can’t leave me.”
As she finished her desperate plea, she noticed Xander’s eyelashes flutter ever so slightly.
Arianna’s breath caught in her throat. This time, there was no doubt—he was responding.
Arianna quickly pulled her hand away from Xander's and pressed the call button above the bed, her heart racing with hope.
The doctors rushed in promptly, and Arianna wasted no time in explaining, her voice tight with urgency.
"Doctor, I spoke to Xander, and he reacted... just a little. I saw it."
One of the doctors nodded calmly, his face serious but focused. "Alright, we’ll check his condition right away. Please step outside for now."
Arianna hesitated, her eyes pleading.
"Please, do everything you can. Save him."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and stepped out of the room, though her mind remained inside with Xander. Instead of heading back to her ward, she stood vigil at the door, refusing to move, her gaze fixed on the entrance like a lifeline.
Minutes passed, but Arianna didn’t waver. Her body ached from fatigue, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. Her mind was completely absorbed in the thoughts of Xander. Each second felt like a lifetime as she waited, clinging to the faint hope she had seen in his slight movement.
Ronald soon appeared, his face creased with concern as he hurried over. “Mrs King, you need to rest. You’re still recovering. Let me stay here, and I’ll come get you as soon as there’s any news.”
Arianna shook her head, her voice firm and resolute. “I’m not leaving. I’ll wait right here.”
Sensing the determination in her tone, Ronald sighed, knowing there was no arguing with her. Instead, he disappeared briefly and returned with a chair. He set it beside her gently.
“At least sit down. You shouldn’t be standing like this.”
Arianna managed a faint smile of gratitude, sitting down slowly. "Thank you, Ronald."
She sat quietly, her nerves taut as she waited. The minutes stretched into over half an hour, each second amplifying her worry. Then, at long last, the door to Xander's room opened, and the doctor stepped out.
Arianna shot to her feet and hurried toward him, her voice trembling with urgency.
“How is he?”
The doctor removed his mask, his expression softened with reassurance.
"Mrs King, your husband has made it through the critical phase. He’s stable now. When he wakes up, there shouldn’t be any lasting complications."
Ronald, standing just behind her, exhaled a deep breath of relief. “That’s great news! When do you think he’ll wake up?”
The doctor replied calmly, "His body is still quite weak. It will take some time, but right now, there’s no immediate cause for concern. It’s just a matter of monitoring him."
Ronald nodded, his face breaking into a smile. “Thank goodness. This is such a relief.”
He turned to share the good news with Arianna, but as he did, her body suddenly swayed. Before he could react, she collapsed, her legs giving way beneath her.
"Mrs King!" Ronald shouted, catching her just in time as her body crumpled.
Panic surged through him as he looked frantically at the doctor.
“What’s happening to her? Is she alright?”
The doctor moved swiftly to assess Arianna, his expression professional but serious. Ronald's heart pounded—after everything that had happened, the last thing he wanted was for her to suffer now, especially after Xander had finally made it through his ordeal.
