CHAPTER 32
As the sun rose, its golden rays broke through the clouds, illuminating the earth below. Xander finally emerged from his car, radiating a strong and icy presence. With determination, he walked into the villa.
Climbing the stairs purposefully, Xander entered the bedroom to find Arianna peacefully asleep in bed. Grandma King must have taken a break.
Approaching the bedside, Xander's dark eyes narrowed as he coldly observed the woman before him.
Xander's gaze shifted downward, focusing intently on Arianna's fair and slender neck. The thought crossed his mind: with just a slight squeeze, it could snap...
If he did that, maybe he wouldn’t be doomed to repeat the same mistakes, right?
Slowly, Xander extended his hand, his slender fingers inching closer to Arianna's neck. They hovered there for a moment, brushing against her skin, as he contemplated his next move.
Despite his inner turmoil, he couldn’t bring himself to tighten his grip. The softness of her skin, the subtle rise and fall of her breath, made it impossible.
Just then, Arianna stirred as if sensing something. Her eyelids fluttered briefly before snapping open. Her gaze met his, dark eyes locking with hers in an intense moment of awareness. The room was filled with a charged silence, their breaths the only sound as they stared at each other. Xander's expression hardened, but his hand remained gentle, almost trembling against her neck.
Arianna’s eyes widened in shock, the fear evident in them, but she didn’t flinch. Instead, she whispered hoarsely, “Xander, what are you doing?”
Xander straightened his posture, quickly composing his emotions. Adopting an indifferent demeanor, he reminded her,
"This is my villa."
Of course, it was his villa. He could come and go as he pleased. Perhaps it was Grandma King who had coerced him into returning, explaining the murderous look on his face.
Since her return, Arianna had been subjected to relentless torment by Xander, which had taken a severe toll on her health.
She could no longer endure his cruelty. Gathering her strength, she knew she had to clarify things, to prevent any further misunderstandings that might provoke his wrath again.
“Xander,” Arianna began, her voice weak but determined,
“I need to make something clear. Whatever you think I’ve done, I haven’t. I’m not here to cause trouble or to deceive you. I just... I just want to live in peace.”
Xander’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of doubt crossing his features. He remained silent, his expression unreadable, as Arianna continued.
“I know you don’t trust me. I know you have reasons to hate me,” she said, her gaze steady despite the fear coursing through her.
“But believe me, I’m not your enemy. I don’t want to be. I’m just trying to survive.”
The room was filled with an uneasy silence, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. Xander’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he continued to scrutinize her, as if searching for any sign of deceit in her earnest eyes.
Arianna shifted her weight, propping herself up on the bed. Clearing her throat, she spoke calmly,
"Xander, about our marriage… I won't tell Grandma the truth. I have no intention of using her to extort you. I've already told her plainly that we'll get a divorce…"
Before she could finish her sentence, her vision blurred and darkened.
Xander leaned in abruptly, his large hand seizing her delicate face. Without warning, he pressed his lips to hers in a forceful kiss, silencing her mid-sentence.
Arianna’s initial shock quickly gave way to a surge of anger. How could he treat her like this, especially when she was so ill?
“Mmm… Hmm…” she protested, trying to push him away with all her strength, but it was no use.
His grip was too strong. Desperation fueled her actions as she clenched her fists and began hitting him violently, her blows landing with as much force as she could muster.
Xander, undeterred, tightened his hold, his kiss deepening. Arianna’s mind raced, a mix of fury and helplessness consuming her. Her hits became more frantic, her breathing growing ragged.
Despite her condition, she refused to be a passive victim to his overbearing dominance.
Finally, she managed to break free for a moment, gasping for air.
“Stop it, Xander! Can’t you see I’m not well?” Her voice was hoarse, filled with a mix of defiance and exhaustion.
Xander’s eyes flashed with a complex blend of emotions—anger, frustration, and something else she couldn’t quite decipher. He pulled back slightly, his face inches from hers, his breath warm against her skin.
“You think you can just decide our fate without me? You think you can dictate terms?” His voice was low, dangerous, filled with a smoldering intensity.
Arianna glared at him, her chest heaving.
“I’m not dictating terms. I’m trying to find a way out of this mess without hurting anyone, especially Grandma.”
Xander’s grip loosened, but he didn’t move away. Instead, he studied her face intently, as if searching for some hidden truth. The tension between them was palpable, a charged silence that seemed to stretch on endlessly.
