CHAPTER 298
Arianna’s heart pounded as she waited for Xander's response, unsure of how she’d handle it if he chose to evade her question.
The silence between them stretched, and she could feel her anxiety rising.
Xander held her gaze for a few seconds, taking in her tense face and the way her hands had curled into tight fists. Instead of answering immediately, he reached for her hand, gently loosening her clenched fingers one by one, as though he was afraid she might hurt herself.
Finally, he spoke, his voice steady. “I do.”
The simplicity of those two words brought her a small sense of relief; at the very least, he wasn’t trying to hide it from her.
“Then… why didn’t you ever tell me about her?” Arianna asked, searching his face, hoping to find some hint of emotion. But Xander’s expression remained neutral, his eyes distant, as though he’d put up a wall she couldn’t see past.
“She’s just an old friend,” he replied quietly. “I didn’t think it was necessary to mention her.”
Arianna’s heartbeat quickened, her breath catching as she absorbed Xander's response. *What did he mean by "he didn't think it was necessary"?*
Did he consider his connection with Harmony so insignificant that it never warranted mentioning, or was it something he intentionally kept from her because it meant too much? Both options tugged at her in completely different ways.
“Xander, I…” she started, her voice unsteady, wanting to dig deeper but unsure how to approach it.
But before she could finish, Xander spoke up, his voice calm but probing.
“Arianna, what is it you’re asking? Just say it.”
He had always been perceptive, and even though she had tried to keep her emotions in check, he saw through her. There was no point in beating around the bush.
"Just tell me Xander" Arianna took a steadying breath, hesitated, and then met his gaze.
“And promise me you’ll be honest.”
Xander’s hand reached up to gently touch her head, his voice warm yet firm.
“You have my word.”
Arianna took a steadying breath before speaking, deciding to ask it all at once.
“Xander, is there anything more than friendship between you and Harmony?”
After a brief pause, she continued in a low, earnest tone, “I mean… anything beyond just friends, the kind of bond between a man and a woman.”
At first, Xander stood silently, his brows slightly furrowed. But as he noticed Arianna’s anxious expression, his gaze softened. He reached out, gently brushing his thumb along her cheek, his touch both comforting and faintly amused.
“Arianna,” he murmured, his tone steady. “I’m your husband. My answer is still the same.”
He’d said the same words in the past when a woman tried to flirt with him, brushing off the attention with the same loyalty. But somehow, tonight, that response felt inadequate to Arianna, leaving her searching for something deeper.
Her eyes met his, unwavering. “I need a real answer, Xander. A clear ‘yes’ or ‘no.’”
Seeing the intensity in her gaze and sensing the anxiety she was trying to hide, Xander’s expression shifted.
He reached out, pulling her close, his hands tracing gentle circles on her back as he held her. His eyes softened as he looked deeply into hers, his voice warm and sincere.
“No, Arianna. No.”
He held her there a moment longer, letting his touch and his words calm the worry that lingered in her heart.
Arianna looked up at Xander, her eyes searching his face once more. “Are you sure?” she asked softly.
Xander’s gaze remained steady, and his voice was unwavering. “Arianna. There’s nothing between us. You’re the only one I care about.”
Arianna felt a wave of relief wash over her. She knew Xander—if he had truly wanted to be with someone else, he wouldn’t go to such lengths to reassure her. He would never lie to her about something so important; it simply wasn’t in his nature.
But before she could fully process the weight that had lifted from her heart, she suddenly felt herself being swept off the ground. She gasped as he effortlessly lifted her, his arms secure around her.
“Xander, what are you doing?” she asked in surprise, looking up at him as he carried her toward the bed.
Without a word, he gently laid her down on the soft mattress. His intense gaze held hers as he leaned over, capturing her lips in a deep, tender kiss that left her breathless.
When he finally pulled away, a playful smile curved his lips as he looked down at her. Arianna’s heart raced as she met his dark, captivating eyes, and he pressed his forehead lightly to hers, their breaths mingling.
“I’m sorry if I made you doubt me,” he murmured, his voice low and sincere.
“I’ve been wrapped up in work, but that doesn’t change how I feel. You’re the only woman I want, the only one I love. I have eyes for no one else.”
He ran his thumb gently over her cheek, his words wrapping around her like a warm embrace.
“And if you ever doubt it again, I’ll just have to keep proving it to you until you believe me.”
Before she could respond, he kissed her again, pouring every bit of his affection and devotion into it, showing her without words that she was, and always would be, the one who held his heart.
.............
The next morning, Arianna struggled to open her eyes as the alarm blared for the fifth time.
She stared up at the blank ceiling, still foggy from sleep, as it took several moments for her mind to shake off the haze of the night before.
When she finally attempted to sit up, her arms felt heavy, and she collapsed back onto the bed with a sigh.
Xander had certainly left an impression on her last night…
Any lingering doubts she’d had about his feelings had been wiped away entirely. His devotion to her was clear, and she now knew beyond any uncertainty that he was utterly committed.
With a grunt, Arianna pushed herself out of bed, legs shaky as she made her way to the bathroom. The hot shower helped loosen her muscles and clear the lingering tension from her body.
After getting dressed in her office attire, she grabbed her bag and made her way downstairs.
As she entered the kitchen, she was greeted by Aunt Julia’s warm smile.
“Good morning, Mrs King! Breakfast is ready—”
Arianna glanced at the time and quickly interrupted, “I’m running late, Aunt Julia. I’ll have to skip breakfast today and grab something at work.”
Aunt Julia’s eyes widened in concern, but before she could protest, she quickly added,
“Mr. King knew you’d be in a rush, so he made sure to pack it up for you. The driver is waiting outside, and you’ll make it in plenty of time.”
Arianna blinked, surprised. “Xander made breakfast?”
Aunt Julia nodded with a fond smile, offering the packed meal.
“He insisted. He’s always thinking ahead.”
Arianna’s heart warmed as she took the packed breakfast, a little taken aback by his thoughtfulness.
As she headed out the door, she couldn't help but smile, grateful for the care he always seemed to show her.
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