CHAPTER 405
As Harmony lifted her phone to redial Xander’s number, a notification popped up on her screen—a new message from Arianna on WhatsApp.
Her thumb hovered over the screen. She hesitated, eyes narrowing as suspicion and irritation warred within her. But in the end, curiosity won. She tapped the message open.
\[Don’t bother waiting. He’s not coming\]
Harmony’s brows furrowed in confusion, her pulse quickening at the unexpected message.
Her fingers tightened around her phone until it creaked under the pressure, heart pounding as she rapidly typed a reply.
\[What do you mean... what did you do?\]
\[Nothing in particular… My husband’s just busy right now, massaging my ankle, kissing my forehead like I’m his whole world. You know… married people stuff. wink\]
Harmony’s breath caught. Her pulse spiked.
Her jaw tightened so hard it ached.
She blinked, reading the words over and over, trying to will them into something else—anything else.
What did she mean? Was Xander really…
Before she could finish the thought, another message arrived.
\[I figured I’d let you know, since you’re probably freaking out, waiting around like a lost puppy. Thoughtful of me, don’t you think? Just so we’re clear—my husband is not coming. Not tonight, not ever. So it’s time for you to step back, Harmony. You’re done.\]
Harmony’s fingers trembled as she read the message, her breath hitching in her throat.
A bitter laugh bubbled up from deep within her, but it was far from triumphant. It was hollow, broken, laced with the desperate sting of humiliation.
She typed furiously, words flying across the screen.
\[You think you've won? You’re so naive, Arianna. You’ve got him for now, but don’t get too comfortable. He’ll come back to me. He always does. Hes just acting as a good husband\]
Her hands shook as she hit send, the message a mix of venom and false confidence. The screen glared back at her like a challenge, one she was determined to win—even if it cost her everything.
But deep down, her confidence wavered. Arianna’s words had struck where it hurt most. Because Harmony wasn’t sure if he was acting anymore—and that terrified her.
Arianna responded with razor-sharp precision—confident, composed, and absolutely ruthless:
\[Even if he’s just acting, I’m happy to let him act for the rest of our lives. As for you? You seem to be thriving in your role as the desperate little shadow, always watching from the sidelines. Side chicks don’t get happy endings, Harmony—they just get leftovers.\]
A second message followed before Harmony could even process the first:
\[Anyway, I’ve got to go. Xander’s bringing me the soup he made—can you believe that? Chopped the veggies himself… said he wants to spoil me. That man—such a husband.\]
Harmony’s face contorted into something monstrous. Rage surged through her like a tidal wave.
With a feral cry, she swept her arm across the table—sending her phone, books, and a half-full mug crashing to the ground.
Her chest heaved as she stood there, trembling, teeth gritted so tightly her jaw throbbed. She could still see the smugness in Arianna’s words, still hear the echoes of her condescension—and it made her blood boil.
Arianna wasn’t just taunting her.
She was winning.
And Harmony couldn’t stand it.
.....
Even though Arianna couldn’t see Harmony’s reaction firsthand, she could picture it vividly—the tightening jaw, the furious eyes, the way her hands probably shook with rage as she read each word.
The mental image alone was enough to make her smirk in satisfaction.
Arianna’s eyes gleamed as she set her phone down, a slow, satisfied smirk tugging at her lips.
“She’s cracking,” she murmured quietly on the couch, a soft blanket draped over her legs, fingers absentmindedly tracing the fabric.
Her gaze drifted toward the hallway where Xander had disappeared just moments ago.
“I’ve rattled her—and when she starts to crumble, she won’t be able to hide what she really is.........”
“.........And when she breaks,”
Arianna whispered,
“When she finally shows those twisted little claws of hers... he’ll see it. He’ll see everything.”
Her tone turned colder, sharper.
“I want him to see who she is when no one’s watching. Let him see the mess. The jealousy. The obsession. Let him see the real Harmony.”
And when he did… she’d be right there, calm, composed—everything Harmony wasn’t.
.............
Xander stepped into the lounge, balancing a tray in his hands with careful precision. The aroma of warm soup and toasted bread followed him, but it was his smile that stole the moment—soft, lazy, and completely disarming.
"Hey," he said gently, setting the tray down beside her.
"Hey yourself," she replied, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
He crossed the room in a few strides and sat beside her, setting the tray down with a gentle clink.
“Doctor’s orders,”
He picked up the spoon, dipping it into the soup and blowing on it gently before holding it up to her lips with a playful glint in his eyes.
“My hand’s fine, you know,” Arianna said with a soft laugh, her gaze flicking between him and the spoon. “I can feed myself.”
Xander shook his head, a warm smile spreading across his face.
“Maybe. But it’s not every day I get to spoil my wife. Let me.”
"Xander..."
He shook his head, the smile widening.
“Nope. Not today.”
She paused, lips parting slightly at the tenderness in his voice.
“Let me spoil you a little, hmm?” he added, gently touching her hair as he brought the spoon to her lips.
Arianna opened her mouth without protest this time, and as he fed her, his thumb brushed across her cheek, lingering like he didn’t want to let go.
“See?” he whispered.
“I’m excellent at this.”
She gave him a mock glare through a smile.
“You're unbearable.”
“And yet you married me,” he said, eyes warm.
She leaned into him a little, just enough for her head to rest against his shoulder.
“Yeah,” she murmured.
“I guess I did.”
And in that quiet moment, the world felt wonderfully far away.
"You really didn’t have to do all this," she said, but her eyes softened, her gaze warm as she met his.
Xander brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"I know, but I want to," he replied with a soft grin.
"You’ve been so strong, taking care of everyone else. It’s time someone took care of you."
She took a small sip of the soup, her eyes closing in delight at the warmth and comfort it brought.
"You’re everything to me, Arianna. And I’m here for you, no matter what."
Arianna looked up at him, her heart swelling.
"And you mean everything to me," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
She reached out to touch his hand, their fingers intertwining naturally.
Xander smiled softly, his thumb gently brushing the back of her hand.
"Love you Ari."
"Love you too"
And in that moment, as he sat beside her, pampering her in the simplest way, Arianna felt her heart settle, the storm of emotions she’d been battling for days finally beginning to quiet.
“When I heard that crash—and then your scream—God, Ari…”
Xander’s voice was raw, filled with panic he hadn’t fully shaken.
“I thought something terrible had happened to you.”
He exhaled sharply, like the memory alone still rattled him, then added more gently, though his tone carried a quiet reprimand,
“You scared the hell out of me.”
Arianna looked up at him, a flicker of warmth blooming in her chest.
There it was—that fierce, unshakable love in his eyes. She let out a soft laugh, touched with something deeper. Satisfaction, maybe.
Or just the comfort of knowing he was hers.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” she whispered, her voice a gentle hush, eyes glistening with emotion.
Guilt twisted in her chest. She hadn’t expected him to worry this much—to look at her like that, with panic still lingering in his eyes. She only wanted his attention, not to make his heart race in fear.
“I’m okay now. Really.”
Xander didn’t look convinced. He reached out, brushing his knuckles gently against her cheek, his touch reverent.
“Still… just be careful,” he murmured, his voice dipping low.
“I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you. You’re everything to me, Ari.”
The sincerity in his words stole her breath. Her heart fluttered, her throat tightening at the unwavering devotion written all over his face.
"I'll promise to be more careful next time, alright "
He smiled, just a little, and leaned forward to kiss her forehead—the softest, most loving touch—and then wrapped his arm around her, holding her like she was the most precious thing in his world.
Because to him… she was.
Harmony’s calls had been completely forgotten. Xander was here, with her—where he belonged.
As the phone continued to vibrate on the floor, the world outside seemed to fade away. There was no room for Harmony in this moment, and Xander’s priorities had shifted, however imperceptibly, in her favor.
Arianna closed her eyes and leaned into him, savoring the silence between them.
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