CHAPTER 380
**Author's Note:**
I understand the story may have felt a bit drawn out to most of you, so I've made the decision to bring it to a close within the next 20 chapters. Thank you for your patience, support, and thoughtful feedback along the way—I truly appreciate it!
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Their relationship began to shift when Arianna was forced to confront her parents’ appalling behaviour. Left with no other option, she had to publicly sever ties with them during a press conference.
It was during that moment of turmoil that Xander stood by her side for the first time. In front of everyone, he announced their marriage, making their union public. Together, they firmly distanced themselves from her deceitful parents.
For the first time, Arianna felt a sense of gratitude toward him. The hostility between them began to fade, and Xander’s cold demeanour toward her started to thaw as well.
Yet, even then, Arianna couldn’t help but wonder what had prompted Xander’s sudden change.
She had always believed it was because of Grandma King’s influence.
Looking back, however, the timing seemed almost too convenient. Xander had been on a business trip during that period and returned just in time to make a dramatic entrance at her press conference, like a knight rescuing her in her hour of need.
What troubled her even more was that her calls to him before the press conference had gone unanswered—right when she needed him most.
Upon further reflection, Arianna realized that this specific moment aligned perfectly with Xander’s usual tri-monthly disappearances, during which he would spend an entire day with Harmony.
This could explain why he hadn’t answered her calls at the time.
After spending time with Harmony, he could have returned to Arianna with a changed attitude—viewing her now as a mere vessel to carry his heir. Was it possible that everything he did after that was merely a means to get her to agree to bear his child?
Arianna didn’t want to believe this, but the weight of Harmony’s evidence was undeniable. She couldn’t help but wonder whether all the kindness Xander had shown her during their time together was nothing more than a facade.
Her hands tightened in frustration, and she stood motionless for a while, contemplating.
Harmony’s smirk never wavered as she watched Arianna's reaction.
"You were so certain that I was lying," she taunted.
"What’s wrong? Are you starting to worry now that all the proof you needed is right here in front of you?"
Arianna’s gaze remained steady as she lifted her chin, her voice colder than before.
"Why are you in such a rush? I’m not nearly as anxious as you are."
Harmony's words faltered as she was caught off guard, momentarily speechless.
It was the first time Harmony had ever encountered a woman with such unwavering resolve. Most people would have been swayed long ago, but Arianna remained steadfast.
Harmony couldn't help but wonder who this woman was. What was it about her that made it so difficult to gain the upper hand, even after everything that had transpired?
It was maddening!
Arianna bit her lower lip, silently restraining the turmoil churning inside her.
She knew she could delay the inevitable for a little while longer, but in the end, it wouldn’t change the outcome.
There was no escaping the crushing defeat that awaited her. Harmony may have granted her a few extra moments, but it wasn’t going to make a difference.
Arianna retrieved a thermos from her bag, unscrewing the lid with deliberate slowness. She took a sip of the wolfberry water inside, her actions measured and calm. Once finished, she closed the lid and placed the thermos back into her bag.
The serene pace of her movements only served to frustrate Harmony further.
Arianna didn’t even spare her a glance.
Once she had steeled herself, she extended her hand and picked up the bag.
Arianna reached into the bag, her fingers brushing against something square and oddly familiar.
A slight tremor ran through her hand.
Though a part of her already had an inkling of what it was, she still clung to the faint hope that she was mistaken.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she pulled the box out of the bag. As she held it, the weight and shape confirmed her suspicion, but she still couldn’t bring herself to face it.
The tea room was dimly lit, with the mist from the boiling water filling the air, but even so, Arianna could see enough to recognize the box. It was unmistakable.
This was the box that had once held the first-place trophy from the anchor competition—the same trophy she had promised herself to win, the same one she had later handed to Xander.
She didn’t allow herself a moment of hesitation. With a swift motion, she lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in the velvet lining, lay the very same trophy she had once given him.
Arianna picked it up, her fingers lingering on the cold metal as she examined the familiar emblem and the polished surface, her heart heavy with a mix of memories and bitter truth.
Arianna’s fingers traced the edge of the trophy, and her eyes locked on the small scratch at the corner. The exact mark she had accidentally made when the trophy slipped from her hands that day.
It was a subtle imperfection, but it was hers—an undeniable reminder that this was the very same trophy she had once held so proudly, the one she had given to Xander as a symbol of her affection.
The realization hit her like a wave crashing onto the shore. This trophy, a tangible token of her feelings for him, was now in Harmony’s hands. It was as if her love had been distorted, twisted, and ultimately claimed by someone else.
A tight knot formed in Arianna's chest as she gripped the trophy, her fingers trembling uncontrollably. The weight of the moment crushed her.
She recalled the night Xander had gone out of his way to bring the trophy home, taking it from her as if it were the most important thing in the world. At the time, she had felt a sense of pride, thinking he valued it as much as she did.
But now, the truth was clear—he had been in a hurry to return it to Harmony, to comfort her with something that was never meant to belong to her.
Harmony’s voice broke through her thoughts, sharp and cold.
“Do you remember what I told you? Things that aren’t meant for you will never truly be yours. This trophy, no matter how long you had it, was never yours to keep.”
Arianna’s heart sank. She could feel the weight of those words, each one sinking deeper into her soul. Harmony was right. Xander had made his choice long ago.
With a satisfied grin, Harmony leaned back and remarked, "It looks like everything has come full circle, right? The trophy is back where it belongs. Isn’t it time you let go of this idea, Arianna?"
Arianna remained silent, her focus entirely on the trophy in her hands. The weight of it seemed to grow heavier with each passing moment, the reality of it settling painfully in her chest.
Her fingers trembled slightly, but she didn't react to Harmony’s taunts. Instead, a bitter smile tugged at her lips as she gazed down at the object she had once given to Xander so willingly.
With a steadying breath, she suddenly placed the trophy on the coffee table with a sharp, resounding thud. The sound echoed through the quiet room, cutting off Harmony’s relentless voice.
Harmony blinked, her eyes narrowing as she looked up at Arianna, now on alert. There was something in Arianna’s demeanour—something that caught her off guard. She tilted her head, waiting for Arianna to speak, wary of the sudden shift in the atmosphere.
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