CHAPTER 412
Harmony: "Can’t sleep. Can we talk?"
Arianna could feel the tension building once more, irritation simmering beneath the surface of her composed exterior. Of course, she thought, bitterness creeping in.
She can’t leave him alone, can she?
She knows he’s with me, but she just wants to drag him back.
Xander tossed the phone aside without replying, letting it fall face down on the nightstand.
He turned back to Arianna, but the soft warmth in her eyes had cooled, replaced by the guarded calm she wore when trying to keep her emotions at bay.
“Arianna…” he said gently, reaching for her hand.
She didn’t pull away, but she didn’t lean in either.
“You don’t owe her anything tonight,” she said quietly.
“And you don’t owe me an explanation either. But you do need to decide who gets your energy when you only have a little left to give.”
He looked at her, truly looked at her, and the guilt on his face was unmistakable.
“I already made my choice,” he said. “I’m here. With you. That message? It doesn’t change that.”
Arianna studied him for a long moment. Then, with a sigh, she leaned back into the pillows, drawing the blanket over her legs.
“Then prove it,” she said softly.
“Stay. Just be here—with me. No distractions.”
Xander nodded and settled beside her, pulling her into his arms.
And for the first time in days, neither of them said anything more. They simply let the silence hold them—together.
"I love you, Ari... more than anything," he said, his voice sincere as he gazed into her eyes.
But instead of feeling a wave of relief, she felt hollow.
Xander and Harmony.
They had a lifelong bond, a history she couldn’t erase.
A bond she couldn’t compete against, nor should she have to. She shouldn’t have to fight for the time and attention of the man who swore he loved her.
She shouldn’t have to accept their friendship, no matter how noble his reasons were for keeping Harmony safe.
Arianna nestled deeper into Xander's embrace, the steady beat of his heart a comforting rhythm against her ear. The warmth of his body, the safety of his presence, made her feel like the world outside their little bubble didn’t exist—at least for now.
But underneath the calm, a quiet storm was brewing in her mind.
She had to be smart. Calculating.
She needed to know everything she could about Harmony. If she was going to protect what was hers, she needed leverage.
Her fingers traced the lines of his chest absentmindedly, her mind working at full capacity. Is there something I can use? she wondered. Something he knows about Harmony that I haven’t figured out yet?
“Tell me about her,” she asked, her tone calm, but beneath it, there was a layer of something sharper.
"She seems like such a difficult, clingy person... so why doesn’t she have that kind of attachment with Zach or John? Why is it only with you?"
Xander paused for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh.
"She wasn’t always like this, you know. She used to be close with Zach and John too—we were all pretty tight growing up. But after the accident... something changed. Maybe it’s because we were both in it or maybe it’s because of what she lost... But ever since then, she’s become more attached to me. Maybe it’s out of comfort, maybe it’s just become a habit... I really don’t know."
He paused for a moment, then added,
"Bunny’s always been selective about who she lets close. When she trusts someone, she’s fiercely loyal. But if you’re not in her circle, you might as well not exist. That’s just who she is."
He gave a small shrug like he wasn’t sure how else to explain it.
Arianna’s jaw tightened slightly.
“She definitely doesn’t like me, and probably never will, right?”
He met her eyes, his expression unreadable.
“I wouldn’t say that... She’s just got her guard up. That’s all. But, she’s not a bad person..”
Arianna pressed on, feeling like she was interrogating him, but she couldn’t help it.
“What else? Anything else I should know? Any little secrets”
Xander shifted on the bed, as he kissed her forehead.
“Look, babe,” he sighed, gently tracing his finger down her cheek.
“I’m not trying to be difficult. Bunny’s told me a lot of things over the years in confidence, and it wouldn’t feel right for me to share them with you without her permission. I can’t betray her like that, just like I would never betray you by sharing what you’ve told me.”
“I get it,” Arianna said quietly, though her voice was tinged with something else.
“You don’t want to talk about her. I understand.”
“It’s not like that,” Xander replied quickly.
“Just... give it time. She can be difficult, but I know she’ll open up to you once she gets to know you better.”
Arianna raised an eyebrow. “You think so? Because from where I’m standing, it seems like she doesn’t like me very much at all.”
“That’s not possible,” he said, shaking his head with a small, genuine smile.
“Everyone who meets you loves you.”
Arianna’s mind raced, the words she didn’t say hanging in the air. Yeah, right. She sees you as a competition. Her rival.
She pushed the thought down, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Sure... whatever.”
Xander, sensing the shift in her mood, sighed and leaned over, his face softening.
"Why are we still talking about Bunny?" he asked, his tone soft yet firm. "I don’t want to talk about her anymore." He paused, his thumb gently tracing her cheek as he cupped her face in his hand, his gaze locked on hers.
“I haven’t even asked you how you’re doing.”
Before she could respond, Xander leaned in closer, his touch tender, his eyes full of concern.
Arianna’s voice was soft but steady.
“I know you mean well, Xander. You always have. But you need to start thinking about us now… not just everyone else.”
She exhaled, her fingers unconsciously drifting to her stomach as she looked away.
“It’s not just me anymore.”
Xander stilled, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“What do you mean?”
Her hand moved unconsciously to her stomach, fingers rubbing lightly in a soothing motion she didn’t even realize she was making—until Xander’s eyes dropped to the gesture.
His breath caught. His body stilled.
"Arianna..."
Arianna blinked. Her lips parted, but the words caught in her throat.
Xander sat up slowly, eyes locked on hers.
“Arianna…” His voice was rough and strained, the question heavy in the stillness between them.
She quickly averted her eyes, as if the truth could somehow disappear if she didn’t look at him.
“Are you… pregnant?” His gaze dropped briefly to her hands as if they held the answer.
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