CHAPTER 292
Since moving to City and getting to know Xander again, Arianna had never once encountered Harmony or heard anyone mention her name around him.
Arianna’s mind churned with the unsettling thought, and she couldn’t keep it to herself any longer.
“Does this mean…you knew Xander before I did?” she asked quietly, trying to keep her voice steady.
Rochelle nodded with a sigh.
“You’re right. Harmony knew Xander’s group well before you met any of them—they practically grew up together.”
Arianna’s stomach tightened as she took in the answer, her mind racing with even more questions, but she stayed silent, keeping her expression unreadable.
Childhood friends, then?
Arianna felt her fists clench involuntarily. She tried to keep her tone steady, though it took her a moment to find her voice. “And…then what?”
Rochelle gave her a sympathetic look, but she didn’t hold back, knowing Arianna deserved the full truth.
“I haven’t uncovered all the details of Harmony’s background, but here’s what I know so far. She moved into the villa next to the Kings’ family estate when she was about five or six years old—the same villa Xander’s grandfather later gifted to your family. From then on, she was around Xander constantly as a neighbour and friend. That’s how she met John and Zach too, and they all grew close.”
“They went through everything together—growing up, school, all of it. Harmony was often invited over to the Kings’ house, and even Xander’s grandparents took a liking to her.”
Rochelle’s words settled heavily in the air.
“Xander and Harmony’s bond was incredibly close,” Rochelle began, her expression growing distant as she recalled what she’d learned.
“It seemed innocent when they were kids, but as they got older, their relationship started to look…well, a lot like a young romance. I haven’t found anything concrete to say they were ever a couple, and I can’t get that jerk John to spill any details either. But with Xander’s personality, the fact that he’s willing to keep her around suggests she might have been…his first love.”
Rochelle shook her head, her tone tinged with confusion.
“What’s strange is that Harmony abruptly left the country and didn’t come back. After you moved to City, met Xander, fell for him, and got engaged, Harmony never resurfaced—until recently. She just came back, coincidentally appeared in your life, and competed with you in that contest for first place. Even after she lost, she chose to work right beside you on Starlight TV. It’s clear she has some agenda.”
Arianna listened quietly, her face growing pale as Rochelle’s words confirmed suspicions she’d kept buried.
Pieces of the puzzle started to fit together: Harmony’s chat handle was “Lily.” The man she’d visited in the hospital—the one she’d claimed to love deeply and who returned her feelings—had to be Xander.
The “Bunny” caller ID that Arianna had glimpsed on Xander’s phone that day was indeed Harmony.
It all made sense now. Harmony’s cryptic remarks, once dismissed as empty provocations, took on a new meaning. All along, she had been hinting that she and Xander shared a real connection, one that, in her eyes, made Arianna an intruder in a love that should have been hers.
Arianna’s mind was racing, pieces falling together with a chilling clarity.
Could Xander have been the one who pulled strings for Harmony to get into Lychee TV? Was he the person Harmony had spoken to in the phone call Arianna had overheard earlier? Harmony had mentioned the person being busy lately… everything seemed to align.
Rochelle, sensing Arianna’s unease, gave her hand a gentle squeeze and said softly, “Ari, are you…alright?”
Arianna blinked, slowly pulling herself back to the present. She took a steadying breath before answering, “I’m… not feeling great.”
If this information had come from anyone else, she might have dismissed it. But Rochelle would never mislead her, and Arianna knew she could trust her friend’s intentions.
“Ari, I didn’t tell you all this to hurt you. I just don’t want you blindsided. You need to be prepared—”
“I know,” Arianna cut in, her tone resolute as she looked Rochelle in the eyes.
“I’m not afraid of Harmony. If she and Xander had something in the past…then that’s what it is—past the. What worries me…”
Her voice faltered as she tried to voice her deepest fear. Finally, she forced the words out.
“What scares me…is which of us truly has a place in Xander’s heart.”
Rochelle’s face softened with empathy, and she reached over, giving Arianna’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Arianna’s gaze drifted out the window, her thoughts a whirlwind of memories and questions. She had believed Xander’s feelings for her were genuine, but now, with Harmony’s sudden reappearance, a seed of doubt had been planted.
After all, love wasn’t just about who arrived first—it was about who stayed, who left an imprint that time couldn’t erase. And Arianna couldn’t shake the feeling that perhaps, just perhaps, Xander’s heart had never fully let Harmony go.
Rochelle clenched her jaw, seething inwardly as she sensed the strain in Arianna’s voice. The sadness Arianna was holding back made Rochelle’s heartache—and her anger toward Xander flared. *If Xander dared betray Arianna, he’d answer to her.*
Still, Rochelle knew she had to stay grounded and rational. Gently, she squeezed Arianna’s hand, her voice calm but firm as she said, “Ari, Xander hasn’t done anything suspicious in front of you. Right now, it’s Harmony making the moves, not him. We need solid proof before jumping to conclusions. Otherwise, we might be reacting to something she’s orchestrating to get under your skin.”
Arianna nodded, her face thoughtful. Rochelle’s logic was grounding, and she knew her friend was right. For all she knew, Harmony’s behaviour could be a calculated attempt to unsettle her.
Xander had shown her nothing but kindness and devotion, and if she gave in to Harmony’s provocations, she might just be falling into her trap.
“You’re right,” Arianna agreed, managing a steady breath. “I need to be sure before making any assumptions.”
Rochelle picked up her tea, taking a sip to ease her ion. After a pause, she looked back at Arianna. “So, what’s your plan?”
Arianna’s gaze turned resolute. She wasn’t one to back down, and if Harmony wanted to play games, she’d be ready.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
