CHAPTER 372
"Mrs. King," Ronald began cautiously, lowering his voice, "during those two years of absence, Harmony did return a few times. Her presence was kept discreet, though. Hardly anyone knew she was back, but... Mr. King always seemed aware. They stayed in contact, and I know for certain they had video calls on specific days."
He paused, watching Arianna closely, then added with a guilty sigh, "I’ve worked for Mr. King long enough to pick up on patterns like this, but it wasn’t my place to speak up. If it weren’t for today... I probably would’ve kept this to myself."
Ronald raised his hand, his expression sincere. "That’s all I know, Mrs. King. I swear. I have no idea about anything else between them."
But that small confession was enough to send a storm through Arianna’s heart.
Harmony had returned…
They stayed in touch... video calls...
Those words echoed in her mind, each one like a sharp needle piercing deeper into her chest.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced—one she had tried to bury, yet it came rushing back as if it had just happened yesterday.
Back at the villa, Arianna had once caught a glimpse of Xander on a video call. Though she hadn't seen the person on the other end, the voice had lingered in her memory.
It wasn’t until she first encountered Harmony at the airport that the familiarity struck her—her voice. It was the same voice from that call.
Ronald’s words now aligned perfectly with the moments Arianna had brushed off before.
Her mind drifted back to a conversation she once had with Xander. She had asked him directly if there was anything more between him and Harmony beyond friendship.
He had answered with unwavering certainty. A clear, confident "No."
That denial had been enough to silence her doubts, to convince her heart that Xander's word was the truth. She had trusted him fully, without question.
But now… it felt like a cruel betrayal.
All this time, he had been keeping in touch with Harmony. Not just casual conversations, but a special day—one where he disappeared for a full 24 hours with her every three months.
The truth weighed heavily, each revelation cutting deeper, making it harder to breathe.
Arianna found it almost ironic when the thought crossed her mind, yet the ache in her chest made it impossible to laugh. The pain felt raw, twisting deeper with every realization.
Ronald shifted uncomfortably, noticing the way her usual spark had dimmed, replaced by a sadness she was trying to hide. It was unsettling—seeing someone so strong suddenly look so fragile.
Scrambling for words, he stammered, “Mrs. King, I… I think Mr. King must have his reasons. He’s not the kind of man who would betray you like this. You’re always the one he cares about most. Please don’t let this upset you too much. Maybe you should just talk to him first?”
Ronald wasn’t great at comforting anyone, but he could see how deeply Arianna was hurting. And despite the circumstances, he truly believed what he was saying. If Xander truly wanted Harmony, he would never have married Arianna or stood by her side so fiercely during her struggles—especially when it had come at Harmony’s expense.
He added softly, “You and Mr. King have overcome so much together. You must know how much he loves you, right?”
Arianna’s chest felt tight, her heart torn between pain and the lingering memories of Xander’s devotion. She couldn’t ignore the way he had protected her before, the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention.
No, she wasn’t the type to jump to conclusions without hearing the truth.
Drawing a shaky breath, she nodded, her voice quiet but steady. “Okay.”
But as the hours passed, the weight in her heart only grew heavier.
By the time the clock struck eight that evening, Arianna could no longer bear the silence. She reached for her phone with trembling fingers and dialled Xander’s number.
This time, his phone finally rang.
Arianna glanced at the clock, counting the hours carefully. Twenty-four. Almost exactly.
Ronald’s words echoed in her mind again, striking too close to the truth she didn’t want to face.
Her teeth sank into her lower lip, pressing hard enough to leave faint imprints, yet the ache didn’t even register. Her heart was pounding too loudly, her thoughts spiralling out of control—until her phone crackled to life with his voice.
“Ari?” Xander’s deep baritone came through the line, soft but concerned, pulling her from the storm of emotions.
She blinked, realizing she hadn’t responded yet. Taking a steadying breath, she forced her voice into calmness, though her fingers trembled slightly as she gripped the phone tighter. “I… I just wanted to ask if you’re coming home tonight.”
“Yes.” His answer was immediate. Certain. “I’ll be there in about ten minutes.”
The firmness in his tone caught her off guard. If he had something to hide, wouldn’t there be hesitation? Some sign of guilt, an excuse—or at least the need to buy more time?
Yet he sounded completely normal, as though nothing was out of the ordinary.
Could she have been overthinking? Had she let her mind create shadows where there were none?
The tension in her chest eased just a fraction. Still, the uncertainty lingered, gnawing at her resolve.
Arianna mustered a soft “Okay. See you soon” before ending the call.
But the calm didn’t last.
Restlessness clawed at her. Sitting alone in their bedroom felt unbearable, her pulse refusing to settle. Eventually, she pushed back the blankets, got to her feet, and made her way downstairs.
The air outside was cool against her skin as she stepped out of the villa, wrapping her arms around herself while she waited by the door, her heart racing with every passing second.
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