CHAPTER 23
Even though there was no immediate threat, Arianna was not comforted. If anything, her heart was heavy with distress as it became deeper.
She curled into a tight ball and sought solace in her own embrace because the pain was so intense.
She had thought she was over her relationship with Xander and that his memories had been banished from her heart.
However, Arianna realized she was still deeply upset when his disdainful gaze and harsh words met her eyes.
She never imagined that Xander, the man who had once given her the world, would become the source of her deepest pain and discomfort.
Tears began to stream uncontrollably from her eyes. With a hoarse voice, Arianna sobbed,
“Xander, you bastard.”
How could she have been so blind to love him?
She must have been a fool! Otherwise, she wouldn't feel this overwhelming sadness because of him. The realization hit her hard, and she couldn't shake off the bitterness and regret that now consumed her.
Xander entered the elevator and punched the steel wall hard.
If he had used just a bit more force, that damn woman, Arianna, would be out of his life for good, never to irritate or anger him again.
Yet, despite everything, his heart softened once more.
When Xander reached the ground floor, he headed straight into the VIP private room reserved for them at the clubhouse.
Noticing his approach, Zach and John exchanged glances, surprise evident on their faces.
They hadn't expected Xander to return so soon. Given his earlier demeanor, they assumed he and Arianna would be entangled in a long, turbulent night.
As Xander entered, the once lively private room became icy, his cold aura chilling the atmosphere. The moment he sat down, others instinctively backed away, sensing his anger.
Zach, cautiously observing Xander’s expression, couldn't hide his curiosity.
“Xander, what happened? Weren't you supposed to be teaching Arianna a lesson for her supposed infidelity? Why are you back so soon? Why....”
Xander shot him a withering glare.
Zach felt a chill run down his spine and promptly swallowed the rest of his sentence.
He had been about to remark that it seemed as if Arianna had been the one to teach Xander a lesson, not the other way around.
Since childhood, Zach had always been a fearless troublemaker, but the only person who ever intimidated him was Xander.
Back then, Xander would always put him in his place, and that lingering fear made Zach submissive in his presence even now.
Without a word, Xander grabbed a bottle of alcohol from the table and downed it in one go.
Zach grew anxious.
Xander had always been the master of self-control, rarely revealing his emotions, especially over the past two years.
No one could ever predict what he was thinking. Yet, as soon as Arianna returned, Xander had started drinking recklessly again.
Zach knew that Arianna was a destructive influence on Xander.
Feeling restless, he stood up. "Xander, let me handle her for you!"
"Sit down!"
Zach stared at Xander in confusion.
"Xander, why are you still protecting Arianna? Do you still have feelings for her?"
"Like her? Does she deserve it?" Xander muttered, his tone dripping with disdain.
It was unclear whether he was mocking the idea itself or his own conflicting feelings.
With a sudden burst of anger, Xander hurled the glass in his hand to the floor. The loud crash silenced the room instantly.
Everyone froze, not daring to make a sound.
Zach was stunned.
Seeing Xander's expression only heightened his anxiety. "Xander, you can't let yourself be fooled by Arianna. Have you forgotten what she did two years ago?"
He turned to John, who had been quietly observing. "Say something!"
Both of them had witnessed the turmoil Xander had endured over the past two years. They couldn't let Arianna hurt him again.
John placed a reassuring hand on Zach's shoulder.
"Xander knows what he's doing. There's no need to worry."
Zach's disdain was palpable. He knew that Xander reconnecting with Arianna would only spell trouble.
"Xander," John said, raising his glass, "Here's to whatever comes next."
All they needed was to drown their thoughts in alcohol.
Xander met John's gaze and smiled back. He grabbed another glass and clinked it against John's.
In the midst of their shared silence, the only conversation was in the clinking of glasses and the pouring of spirits.
