CHAPTER 280
Aunt Julia raised her head, meeting Grandma King’s eyes with a hesitant expression. She seemed as if she wanted to speak but held back.
Grandma King, who knew her well, sensed something was off. A hint of worry crossed her face as she said,
“Julia! Just tell me what’s going on! I’m old, not fragile—I can handle it!”
Without waiting for Julia’s response, she leaned over to glance at the phone screen herself.
Displayed there were only pictures of Harmony from the awards event.
Seeing this, Grandma King’s initial worry faded, and she frowned in confusion. “Is this what got you so worked up?”
She had half-expected to see someone insulting her dear, sweet Arianna.
“That’s not all, Grandma,” Aunt Julia replied, tapping on the screen to zoom in. “Take a closer look. Don’t you think this Harmony Johnson looks familiar?”
At that, Grandma King adjusted her reading glasses, squinting as she studied the photo. Her expression shifted as a glimmer of recognition dawned on her.
“This... This Harmony Jackson… Could it be? Could she be that little girl who was always around Xander when they were young? The one that was obsessed with him”
Aunt Julia nodded. “It does look like her, doesn’t it?”
“But didn’t that girl go abroad?” Grandma King frowned thoughtfully.
“Could we be mistaken, and they just look alike?”
Aunt Julia, still unsure, nodded slowly. After all, the girl from the past had a different last name, and many years had passed—it wasn’t easy to say for certain if they were the same person.
"Should I arrange for someone to look into this?" Aunt Julia asked.
Grandma King cast a thoughtful glance up the stairs. Arianna and Xander's relationship was finally flourishing, and the last thing she wanted was an unexpected issue derailing it. Being cautious seemed wise.
She nodded. “Yes, do it.”
It was the best decision. If it truly was the same person, why had she returned now? And what was she doing so close to Arianna?
Grandma King’s eyes narrowed as she considered the possibilities.
…
Xander carried Arianna into the room, gently laying her down on the soft bed before leaning over her, his gaze intense.
Arianna's cheeks flushed as she pressed her hands against his chest in surprise.
“Xander, what… What are you doing?”
A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes, and his voice dropped to a husky tone.
“Didn’t you hear me earlier? I said I’d work hard to give Grandma that big, chubby grandbaby she wants.”
“...Wait, didn’t you just say that to tease her?”
He smirked, gently pinning her wrists down beside her and bringing his face close until their noses brushed.
“Who said I was teasing? I want to have a big chubby baby with you, Arianna…”
His simple words, combined with the intense emotion glimmering in his dark eyes, made Arianna’s cheeks flush deeply. She couldn’t break free from his hold, and her gaze shifted in embarrassment, but all she could manage was a frustrated murmur,
“You’re impossible.”
First thing back, and he was already teasing her.
Xander watched her face turn pink and couldn’t resist placing a gentle kiss between her eyebrows. Then, his voice softened as he said,
“I missed you so much, Ari.”
Hearing about everything she had gone through alone had left him heartbroken.
He’d finished his work as fast as he could and returned right away. He didn’t care what obstacles she wanted to take on—if she stirred up trouble, he’d gladly stand by her side, ready to fix whatever needed fixing.
Nobody was allowed to make her feel less, especially when he could never bear to.
Arianna wasn’t resisting his embrace. When she heard him say, “I missed you,” her heart stilled, and her body softened in response.
She lifted her gaze to meet his, realizing then that he must’ve travelled through the night to get to her. His faint stubble hinted at exhaustion.
Reaching up, she traced her fingers along his jaw, feeling the rough texture. He let her explore with a curious look in his eyes.
“What’s on your mind?”
She remembered the last time they’d spoken, hearing his tired voice on the phone. He was so busy, often going without sleep to keep up with work demands, yet here he was, putting her first.
Arianna’s heart melted, and she whispered,
“Xander…” Her voice was soft as she let her true feelings surface.
“You asked me earlier if I’d missed you…”
"My answer is yes. I missed you. I missed you."
Every night without him felt hollow. Whenever something troubled her, her first thought was of him, and just hearing his voice would have eased her heart.
With him there beside her again, she felt happiness that was warm and real.
She’d spent a lot of time alone, but that didn’t mean she didn’t cherish the feeling of closeness. To be with someone she loved and who loved her back filled her with a sense of fulfilment she hadn’t known in years. Having someone to talk to, lean on, and trust unconditionally made her feel brave as if she could face the world as long as Xander was by her side.
"Oh? Show me just how much you missed me," he murmured before brushing his lips against hers.
Arianna looked up at him with a flash of mischief in her eyes, returning his kiss. Her cheeks pink, she softly admitted, "Like this."
Xander was caught off guard by her boldness, his eyes darkening with sudden intensity.
For a moment, he simply looked at her, but then he slipped off his tie with a knowing smirk, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
"Mrs. King, ever heard that being apart only makes you feel like newlyweds all over again?"
Arianna’s heart raced as she sensed the intent in his gaze, knowing what was likely to come.
She’d only meant to share her feelings, not start anything so… spirited.
Seeing the look in his eyes, paired with that irresistible confidence, she stammered with a nervous smile,
"Xander, I— I’m a little tired tonight… Sleepy…"
But he silenced her protests with another kiss, melting her words away.
The night stretched on, long and sweet.
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