CHAPTER 404
“You’re the only one who understands. I don’t know what to do. Please… come.”
Harmony’s voice crackled through the speaker, soft, trembling—an expertly crafted blend of feigned vulnerability that almost sounded real.
Xander sighed, rubbing his temples as he sat on the couch. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to keep his patience in check.
“Harmony, calm down. Take a breath, alright? Tell me what happened.”
His voice was firm, trying to keep a level head despite the rising frustration that gnawed at him.
Xander didn’t hear the soft shuffle of footsteps behind him, the faint creak of the floorboard.
He didn’t see Arianna standing in the hallway.
She stood perfectly still, her eyes narrow slits of anger as she listened, watching every word spill from Harmony’s mouth like venom.
"Unbelievable," Arianna muttered under her breath, her jaw tightening.
She couldn’t believe Harmony was still pulling these same pathetic tricks.
Her fingers tightened around the tray’s edge, the grip now firm, her irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.
She was done with this.
Done with Harmony’s games.
Not this time.
“Xander isn’t coming,” she whispered to herself, voice low and certain.
“Not when he already has everything he needs right here.”
Not tonight.
Not ever.
“It hurts so bad. I think it’s broken. I’m scared, I’m alone—please…” Harmony sobbed through the line.
Arianna rolled her eyes, scoffing under her breath. The theatrics, the perfectly pitched voice, the desperation. Harmony was nothing if not consistent.
She mouthed the words even before Harmony spoke them.
“I need you.”
Arianna’s fingers curled tighter around the tray she was holding.
“Of course you do,” she muttered.
"I don’t understand, Bunny. How did you manage to hurt yourself like that?"
Xander asked, his brow furrowing as he watched her tenderly cradle her wrist. The pale skin was already bruising, a stark contrast against her flushed complexion.
He leaned in closer, his gaze lingering on the injury.
His tone was soft, but there was an undeniable undercurrent of disbelief—he couldn’t quite make sense of what she was saying.
"You say you fell?" he asked, his voice gentle but strained,
Harmony’s lips trembled as she glanced at him, an exaggerated wince contorting her face.
“No... I just..." Her voice faltered, cracking under the weight of her words. She swallowed hard, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“I don’t know. It just... happened,” she whispered, her voice shaky, as though she was struggling to find the right words.
“I was reaching for a book... and the stool just... it gave out beneath me. I fell... right onto my hand.”
She faltered again, her breath shaky.
“Just come, please... I need you,” Harmony’s voice cracked, the desperation clear.
Xander nodded slowly, rubbing the back of his neck as he exhaled, clearly torn. His eyes stayed on her bruised wrist, the tension in his jaw tightening just slightly.
“Okay… fine,” he said at last, his voice low.
“I’ll take you to the hospital.”
There was a flicker of hesitation—barely noticeable—but it was there, tucked behind the concern in his gaze.
“Just let me grab my keys,” he added, standing up, still watching her carefully.
Arianna’s brow furrowed, her lips curling into a tight, controlled smile.
My naive husband.
He's falling for it again.
So predictable.
“Sorry, Harmony,” Arianna murmured, her voice cold and steady.
“But Xander isn’t coming. Not tonight. Not ever.”
She took a slow, deliberate stebackwardsrd,
“You want to play games, fine,” she hissed softly, a wicked smile curling at the corner of her lips.
“Two can play that game.”
Then, with a sudden, violent motion, she slammed the tray out of her hands.
It hit the floor with a deafening crash, the sound of plates shattering and mugs splintering echoing through the hallway like a symphony of destruction.
The hot coffee splashed everywhere, but Arianna didn’t flinch. Her gaze remained locked on the wreckage, her satisfaction palpable as the chaos unfolded.
Let the games begin.
The sound echoed like a gunshot in the quiet house.
She let out a strangled gasp and dropped to the floor beside the mess, pretending to be in pain.
And right on cue—Xander’s voice, panicked and sharp, called out from the other room.
“Arianna?!”
Let’s see who he runs to now.
The sound of footsteps pounded down the hallway.
“Arianna—what the hell?”
Xander’s panicked voice cracked through the silence as he rounded the corner, phone slipping from his hand and clattering to the floor.
She let out a soft, pained gasp, clutching her side with a wince as she slumped back against the wall, eyes fluttering shut.
“Xander…” she breathed, her voice strained—just enough to make his heart lurch.
He dropped to his knees beside her, frantic and searching her face.
“What happened? Where does it hurt? Are you okay?”
Her breaths came out in ragged gasps, shallow and trembling, as if every inhale was a struggle. She clutched her side tighter, eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“I—I slipped,” she whispered, then whimpered louder, forcing her voice to crack.
“I think I… I think I hurt myself. God, Xander, it hurts so bad—”
She let her head fall back against the wall, lashes fluttering, like she was fighting to stay conscious.
“I was bringing you coffee—” she cut herself off with a choked sob, letting it echo in the hallway.
It was just the right amount of drama—enough to make his heart thunder in his chest and his guilt twist like a knife.
His hands instinctively went to her side to check for any visible damage. Arianna shifted, keeping her wince exaggerated, making sure he stayed focused on her.
His eyes widened with alarm, hands hovering just inches from her trembling frame.
His phone lay forgotten on the floor, Harmony’s name flashing again and again—but he didn’t so much as glance at it.
“Arianna—damn it, what were you thinking? You should’ve told Harry or Timothy to bring the damn coffee!” he snapped, voice tight with panic, scolding her even as concern flooded his face.
“You scared the hell out of me!”
She winced, her breath catching.
“Can you maybe scold me later?” she managed, her voice strained.
“It hurts.”
His entire expression softened in an instant.
“Shit. I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered, already kneeling beside her.
“Where does it hurt? Did you hit your head? Your back? Just talk to me.”
She let out a soft, shaky breath, wincing dramatically as his fingers brushed her thigh.
“My back—” she murmured.
“Just… oww.”
Her voice cracked, the pain sounding real enough to twist his stomach.
Xander muttered a curse under his breath, his fingers tracing over her with feather-light caution, as if afraid she might break.
“You’re scaring the hell out of me,” he said, brushing the hair away from her flushed face.
“We’re going to the hospital. I’m not taking any chances. What if something’s—”
“No,” she interrupted quickly, her eyes wide.
“No hospital. I’m fine, really. Just stay with me. Please?”
His hand cupped her cheek.
“Of course, my love,” he murmured.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’d never leave you like this. I’m right here. Always.”
And with that, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead as he gathered her gently into his arms, his heart still hammering as if he’d nearly lost her.
Xander immediately shifted closer, slipping an arm around her for support.
“Don’t move, alright? Just stay still,” he murmured, his voice low with concern.
Arianna gave a small nod, eyes wide and innocent. “Okay… .”
......
The phone call ended abruptly, leaving Harmony staring at the screen in disbelief. Her thumb hovered over the screen, re-dialling, each press feeling more desperate than the last.
He said he was coming... then what happened? Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the sudden disconnect.
Her heart was pounding in her chest, each unanswered attempt fueling a rising tide of panic.
"Why isn’t he answering?" she hissed under her breath, her voice cracking, the panic seeping into every word.
"What the hell is going on?"
She paced back and forth, her steps erratic, hands shaking as she redialed again. The ringing tone seemed to echo in her ears, amplifying the deafening silence that followed each failed attempt.
Her breath quickened, her fingers trembling as she glanced at the screen once more, willing it to change.
Did that bitch say something?
The thought sent a cold shiver down her spine, her stomach twisting with dread.
Did he decide not to come?
She clenched her jaw, a growl of frustration escaping her lips as she glared at the phone, willing it to respond, to give her the answer she needed.
"No... he can’t be... he won’t choose her," she muttered to herself, shaking her head violently, trying to shake off the thought.
She needed him. She needed him to choose her.
He can’t leave me. He won’t.
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