CHAPTER 338
Arianna held onto the man's arms with a tight grip, her heart racing wildly. The adrenaline from the near-miss still coursed through her, leaving her shaky and breathless as she fought to steady herself.
His deep, calming voice broke through the chaos in her mind.
“Are you okay?”
Hearing that familiar tone felt like a lifeline, helping her regain control over her swirling emotions. Gradually, she lifted her gaze, her wide eyes locking onto Xander’s sculpted face, illuminated by the moonlight. His intense stare was softened by a gentle warmth that made her feel secure. With a trembling voice, she asked,
“What are you doing here?”
The firmness of his embrace tightened slightly, as though reassuring her that she was no longer alone.
“Aunt Julia mentioned you borrowed a car but didn’t explain much. When you weren’t answering your phone, I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing,” Xander replied, his deep voice carrying both worry and frustration.
Arianna blinked, caught off guard.
“But how did you even know where to find me?”
A faint, teasing smile curved his lips.
“Let’s just say I have my ways.”
His answer was vague, but she didn’t need more details to understand. Xander likely pulled strings or tapped into security networks to locate her. It wasn’t just his resourcefulness that struck her in that moment—it was the sheer determination in his actions.
He sighed, looking at Arianna with concern. “You had me worried, you know,” he said quietly, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His eyes roamed over her, checking for any signs of harm.
“Are you okay? Did anyone hurt you?” His voice was calm, but the tension hinted at the whirlwind of feelings he was trying to keep in check.
When she shook her head, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
“Please, don’t scare me like that again,” he said, his thumb lightly brushing her cheek as he locked eyes with her.
“You can’t imagine the thoughts that raced through my mind, worrying about you,” he continued, his voice softening a bit, but the protectiveness was still there.
“You’re too important to me to take chances like this.”
Arianna relaxed slightly, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her cheek against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding her. Her voice was calmer now, carrying a hint of relief and warmth.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Xander. If you hadn’t come… I don’t even want to think about what might’ve happened. I could’ve been caught—or worse.”
Her words carried a weight of experiences she rarely spoke about.
During her time abroad, Arianna faced countless perilous situations. She remembered vividly the night she had been caught, beaten, and left bruised and broken on the cold floor. She hadn’t even been able to seek help until the next day, forcing herself to endure the pain until she could reach a hospital on her own.
Xander had noticed glimpses of her struggles before, but now everything was unmistakably clear.
The thought of her facing those challenges alone made his heart ache, like shards of glass piercing through him. Yet, amid that sorrow, there was a gentle joy—she was finally allowing him to be a part of her world.
Arianna, who usually kept her emotions hidden, was starting to share her true feelings with him. This realization filled him with gratitude and a strong resolve. He gently ran his fingers through her hair and whispered,
“You won’t have to face anything alone anymore. Not as long as I’m here.”
Xander didn’t press her for more details. Instead, he placed a hand on her head and gently ruffled her hair. His voice was soft but firm.
"Nobody will dare lay a finger on you," Xander growled, his voice low and dangerous.
His eyes burned with a fierce protectiveness as he tightened his hold on Arianna.
"You’re my wife, and as long as I’m here, no one will ever hurt you. I won’t let it happen."
Arianna glanced up at him, her lips curling into a small smile. Standing on tiptoes in the shadows, she leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to his lips.
“I know,” she murmured, her words filled with gratitude and warmth.
Xander’s arms instinctively tightened around her, pulling her closer as if silently vowing to shield her from any danger.
Xander’s presence lingered in Arianna’s mind. In his arms, she found not only protection but also a sense of calm she hadn’t known in years. For her, it wasn’t just the power in the building that had been restored—it was the safety she felt with him by her side.
...
Meanwhile, the bodyguard didn’t return to the ward but made his way straight to the front desk.
The nurse had just returned from her rounds and noticed him approaching. Without waiting for him to ask, she explained,
“I apologize for the inconvenience. The power supply here can be unstable at times, but the backup generator is already running. The lights will come back on any second now.”
As if on cue, a faint click echoed through the corridor, and the lights flickered back to life.
The bodyguard paused for a moment, considering what she had said.
“Does this happen often?” he asked, his tone measured but firm.
The nurse nodded politely.
“It does, especially during the night. The voltage tends to fluctuate due to the high energy demands from all the medical equipment. That’s why the facility ensures we have a reliable backup generator.”
The bodyguard asked again, his tone sharp,
“Where were you just now?”
“One of the patients wasn’t feeling well and rang the call bell. I went to check on him and help lower his blood pressure. Why?” the nurse responded, her voice laced with confusion.
The bodyguard gestured toward a specific area.
“Did you happen to go down this way?”
The nurse blinked, clearly taken aback. “Yes, I did. Why are you asking?”
It began to make sense—the figure he had glimpsed earlier and the footsteps he had heard must have belonged to the nurse. With that in mind, there seemed to be no reason for further suspicion.
He shook his head, letting the matter drop.
“No reason,” he replied curtly before nodding at her and heading back toward the ward.
Inside, he reported everything to Brian and Sarah.
“Sir, Madam, I found nothing unusual. There was no one suspicious in the area.”
Brian leaned back in his seat, a faint frown creasing his brow.
“Are you certain?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of doubt.
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