CHAPTER 415
The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the breakfast room, casting a golden sheen across the table. Cutlery clinked gently. The rich scent of fresh coffee hung in the air—but nothing commanded more attention than the way Xander looked at Arianna.
He sat beside her, close enough to touch, his hand resting lightly on the back of her chair like even a sliver of distance was too much. Every so often, he'd lift a forkful of food to her lips, his voice low and warm.
"Just one more bite, for the baby," he murmured, eyes dancing.
Arianna smiled, letting out a quiet laugh as she pressed a finger to his lips.
"Shh… We agreed to keep it a secret, remember? We'll tell everyone tonight. After John’s birthday party."
Xander caught her hand in his and kissed her knuckles.
"I know, I know. But it's killing me, Ari. I'm so damn excited—I feel like I’m going to explode."
Her gaze softened. She leaned closer, her voice playful.
"I feel it too. But just a few more hours, okay? It'll be worth it."
She placed a hand on his chest. "Besides, I think we can manage to keep this between us until then… right?"
Xander chuckled, brushing a kiss to her temple, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Okay, okay…” Xander puffed out his cheeks dramatically, pouting like a sulky five-year-old.
“Since you’re growing our baby, I guess your wish is officially my royal command.”
Arianna arched a teasing brow, the corner of her lips twitching into a smirk.
“So, let me get this straight… after the baby’s born, my wish-granting privileges expire?”
Xander leaned in closer, his gaze softening as he brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Not a chance,” he murmured, his voice low and full of affection.
“Your wishes aren’t temporary—they’re my lifelong mission.”
His fingers gently traced the curve of her jaw, lingering as if he couldn’t bear to stop touching her.
“You’ve always been the queen of my heart, Ari. But now… now you’re the queen and the mother of our child.” His throat tightened slightly with emotion.
“How did I get so lucky? I swear, sometimes I think my heart’s going to burst just looking at you.”
She blushed, but he wasn’t done. He leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
“You’re my everything, Arianna. Wish or no wish, you’ll always be my greatest dream come true.”
Across the table, Harmony’s fingers clenched around her mug, the porcelain creaking under the strain. Her knuckles blanched white, but she didn’t notice.
All she could see was the way he looked at Arianna—soft, awestruck like she hung the stars just for him. It was the kind of gaze that left no room for doubt, no space for anyone else.
And though she couldn’t hear the words, she didn’t need to. Whatever he was saying, she knew it would gut her.
She needed him to look at her like that.
"Xander," she said, her voice trembling with carefully placed sweetness.
"My hand... it really hurts. I can’t even hold my spoon. Could you help me?"
Xander’s eyes flicked to Harmony, his brow creasing.
“Damn, Bunny… that looks worse than yesterday. You really should have that checked by a doctor.”
His voice was gentle, almost concerned.
“Don’t worry—I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
A flicker of hope lit up her face—until he turned away.
“Aunt Julia,” he said, a warm smile curving his lips as he reached for another spoonful,
“Would you mind giving Harmony a hand with her breakfast? I’m a bit tied up… making sure my queen eats first.”
He winked at Arianna, who rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips.
Harmony’s smile faltered, the brief glimmer of hope on her face fading like a blown-out candle.
'Making sure my queen eats first'
Harmony’s vision blurred with red at the edges. Her fingers tightened around the mug, knuckles whitening as her mind spiralled into chaos.
Across the table, Aunt Julia arched a sceptical brow.
“Me, help her? Why me? Isn’t she your responsibility?” she asked, her tone laced with dry sarcasm.
Xander gave her a sharp look—cool and warning. The kind that said: Don’t push it.
With a huff, Aunt Julia threw her hands up in surrender.
“Alright, alright,” she muttered, reluctantly sliding into the seat beside Harmony and picking up the spoon.
At the head of the table, Grandma King sat back, smug satisfaction written all over her face.
Her eyes gleamed with approval as she watched her grandson ignore Harmony and dote on Arianna.
Finally, she thought. He’s come to his senses.
Grandma King spoke loudly, cup clinking as she placed it down.
"It’s nice to see my grandchildren finally acting like a married couple. Love suits you both."
Arianna smiled graciously. Xander pressed a kiss to her temple again.
“It really does.”
Harmony stared at her untouched plate. Her appetite vanished, replaced by a rage she could no longer hold back.
When Aunt Julia reached out to help with her cereal, Harmony snapped.
Harmony’s hand flew out before she could stop herself, smacking the woman’s wrist with such force that it knocked into a nearby coffee mug. The ceramic clattered, spilling dark liquid across the table and splattering onto her clothes.
She shot to her feet, the chair scraping back with a sharp screech.
"You stupid bitch!" Harmony’s voice rang out, sharp and venomous, slicing through the stunned silence that followed.
"Do you have any idea how much this dress costs? More than your entire salary, you old hag."
Silence fell. Aunt Julia recoiled, stunned.
"I—You pushed my hand," she stammered, voice shaking.
"I was only trying to help."
Harmony’s chest heaved.
"So it’s my fault now?" Her tone dripped venom.
"Why, you little—"
"That’s enough."
Xander’s voice was steel.
He stood, eyes locked on Harmony, fury burning in them.
Everyone froze.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Bunny? It was just an accident" he said, voice cold.
"How can you insult Aunt Julia like that—over a dress?"
Harmony stared, stunned by the anger in his voice.
"Aunt Julia has been like a mother to me. And no one—and I mean no one—talks to her like that."
"Xander, I didn’t mean to snap… but she did it on purpose. She despises me—you saw it, didn’t you?"
Xander’s eyes flashed with disbelief as he stared at Harmony.
“No, I didn’t see it,” he said, his tone sharp,
“But I know Aunt Julia would never do something like that on purpose".
He crossed his arms, his gaze hardening.
“If anyone’s been disrespectful here, it’s you."
Harmony opened her mouth, but the words died in her throat.
Harmony’s eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for someone who might believe her. She opened her mouth, her voice trembling but still laced with defiance.
“I swear, I didn’t mean to overreact,” she stammered, her hands shaking as she tried to steady herself.
“She—Aunt Julia—she did it on purpose. She’s just trying to make me look bad. She hates me, Xander. You have to believe me. I bet this is all Grandma King's idea—”
BANG.
The sharp crack of a palm slamming down on polished wood silenced the room. Silverware rattled. Cups trembled. Heads snapped toward the source.
Grandma King was on her feet, her eyes like shards of ice, unflinching and furious.
“Enough.”
Her voice rang out—cold, commanding, and impossible to ignore.
“If I wanted to throw coffee on you, Harmony…
I wouldn’t whisper about it. I’d do it to your face—scalding hot and with a smile.”
She leaned forward slightly, her presence towering despite her age.
“I don’t need schemes or middlemen. I say what I mean, and I do what I say. And if I wanted to humiliate you, believe me, I wouldn’t miss.”
A stunned silence settled over the table, the weight of her words lingering like smoke.
“Bunny,” Xander said, his voice colder now, edged with frustration.
“Just… stop.”
His jaw tightened as he looked at her, disbelief flickering in his eyes.
“What’s wrong with you? I’ve never seen you like this before. That’s my grandmother you’re accusing—my family,” he added, the weight of the words landing like a blow.
Arianna’s eyes flicked to Xander, and for a moment, she felt the briefest flicker of satisfaction.
'Oh, this is just the beginning, my dear husband,'
Arianna murmured to herself, her voice barely a whisper.
You’ve only seen the trailer.”
Harmony opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out.
Xander ran a hand through his hair, exhaling a sharp breath.
"Look, Bunny… you seem tense. Maybe it’s best if you head home for now, take a breath, clear your head—before John’s party tonight."
There was a pause—a cold, deliberate silence.
“I’ll have the chauffeur take you.”
Harmony just stared at him, her throat tightening.
He wasn’t angry.
He was done.
He was sending her away.
Harmony tried to hold his gaze, but it faltered, her lip quivering.
The moment felt like a turning point, one that Arianna was quietly savouring. Harmony was digging herself deeper, and she hadn’t even needed to raise a finger.
She watched the unravelling, intrigued by how far Harmony would go to keep up her act.
As the scene played out, Arianna couldn’t stop the small, knowing smile that tugged at the corners of her lips.
Harmony had already started to fall apart, and the satisfaction she felt was almost too much to contain.
Tonight, at John’s party, Arianna would make sure the rest of her mask fell to the ground.
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