CHAPTER 419
Arianna stood off to the side of the ballroom, just beneath the soft glow of the chandelier, her fingers lightly brushing the fabric of her dress.
Her heart was racing—faster than it should be. Her mind ran a mile a minute, looping over Harmony’s audacity, the poison, the sheer malice.
How close she’d come to—
A warm pair of arms slid around her waist from behind.
The scent of Xander hit her instantly—clean, familiar, grounding. Musky cologne and something entirely him.
He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
Arianna smiled, the tension in her spine easing the moment his voice wrapped around her. She leaned into his warmth like it was the only place in the world that made sense.
Just one touch from him, and the chaos fell quiet.
The storm inside her stilled.
“Only about twenty times,” she teased softly, tilting her head to look at him.
“Hmm,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple and tightening his arms around her as though he could shield her from everything—past, present, and future.
“Then I guess twenty-one won’t hurt.”
He turned her gently in his arms so she was facing him, and when she met his gaze, it hit her like it always did—those dark, intense eyes, like thunderclouds that somehow held sunlight.
“You’re the most beautiful woman here. Hell, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
He reached up, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear with a touch so tender it made her breath hitch.
“But it’s not just that. It’s not the dress, or your smile, or even that glow you have now—though, God, being pregnant suits you in ways I never imagined.”
His hand drifted down, coming to rest gently over the soft curve of her stomach. His thumb brushed across it like a silent promise.
“It’s everything, Ari. The way you carry this life—our baby—with so much grace, like you were made for this. Like we were made for this.”
He paused, swallowing hard, emotion thickening his voice.
“I can’t wait to tell everyone. I want the whole damn world to know—you’re my wife, and you’re going to be the mother of my child. I’ve never been more proud of anything in my life.”
His eyes shimmered with something raw and real.
“You are...everything to me, Arianna. And I swear—whatever comes, whatever we face—I’ll protect you. Both of you. Always.”
Arianna’s breath caught in her throat.
For a moment, nothing existed beyond the two of them.
Not Harmony.
Not the crowd.
Just this.
Just him.
“You’re going to be such a good father,” she whispered.
Xander smiled, his thumb stroking her cheek.
“And you—you're already an incredible mother. I can feel it.”
Her eyes shimmered, and she let herself be held, let herself believe in the peace of the moment—even if it was the calm before the storm.
Because in his arms, she wasn’t just safe.
She was his.
But just as Xander dipped his head to press a kiss to her lips, a shrill buzz cut between them. His phone.
He exhaled, jaw already tensing as he fished it out of his pocket.
“Zach,” he muttered with a groan.
Another buzz.
Then another.
He sighed.
Reluctantly he opened the message, eyes scanning quickly before muttering,
“Of course.”
“What is it?” she asked, already sensing the answer.
“He needs me to meet some high-profile client. Now,” Xander said, rolling his eyes.
“Apparently they just arrived and are asking for me by name.”
Arianna sighed. “You should go.”
“I don’t want to,” he said immediately, gripping her waist tighter.
“Not tonight. Not when you’re looking this beautiful—” His gaze dropped to her stomach, then back up to her eyes.
She offered him a soft smile, squeezing his hand gently.
"I'm not going anywhere...Go on—meet that high profile client.”
Xander didn’t budge.
His hand stayed firmly wrapped around her waist.
“Just a few more minutes,” he murmured, leaning in to press a kiss to her temple.
“You look too damn beautiful to leave.”
Arianna chuckled softly, warmth in her eyes.
“Xander.”
“What? It’s true,” he whispered, brushing his lips down to her cheek, then to her jaw.
“I don’t want to go. Not when I could be here... with you.”
She smiled, touched, but firm.
“Go...Go charm this client. I’ll be right here.”
He sighed, clearly not convinced.
“You’re sure?” His gaze lingered on her face, drinking her in like he didn’t want to miss a single detail.
“Because I’ll blow off every one of them if you say the word.”
Arianna shook her head, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
“I’m sure—I’ll still be glowing when you get back.”
That earned a low laugh from him, and one last kiss—slower this time, deeper.
A kiss that said everything he felt but didn’t need to say out loud.
When he finally pulled away, his fingers slipped from hers like a reluctant goodbye.
She watched him disappear into the crowd, her heart tugging with every step he took.
And the moment he was gone, the smile vanished from her lips like a mask falling off. Her entire expression hardened, eyes sharpening with purpose.
Now, it was her turn.
Her fingers brushed the small broach pinned just above her heart—a beautiful, antique-looking piece that blended seamlessly with her dress. But beneath its delicate design was something far more dangerous.
“You’re one lucky girl, you know that?” Rochelle said as she approached her, nudging Arianna lightly with her elbow.
“Xander really loves you. It’s written all over his face.”
Arianna’s lips curved into a slow smile, but her gaze didn’t waver from the broach. It gleamed in the dim lighting, delicate… deceptive.
“Yeah,” she murmured, her voice even. “I know.”
“...Rochelle. Where did you even get this?”
she asked quietly, not taking her eyes off the ballroom’s reflection in the glass.
Rochelle gave a sly smile and a nonchalant wave of her hand.
“I have my sources.”
Then her tone shifted—low, sharp, deliberate.
“But remember what I told you. Be careful with it.”
Arianna turned, her brow raised.
“That broach isn’t just a pretty heirloom,” Rochelle continued.
“There’s a camera embedded inside. High resolution, full audio. It’ll catch everything—the moment you confront her, every word, every flicker of expression. And once it starts…”
She trailed off, her smile growing.
"It'll capture everything"
Arianna’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“And you’ll make sure it’s seen?”
Rochelle’s gaze swept the room like a predator surveying prey.
“Not just seen,” she said, her voice laced with satisfaction.
“It’ll be streamed live. Every guest here will be watching. The music will stop, the lights will dim, and the screens will flicker on.”
Her smile sharpened.
“Right in the middle of John’s birthday tribute"
She stepped closer, eyes gleaming.
“And that’s when they’ll see her. Really see her. The sweet little Bunny, exposed in real time.”
She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.
“Especially Xander.”
Arianna fingers brushed the edge of the broach, suddenly aware of the power it held.
All the manipulation, the lies, the venom Harmony had been spitting behind that innocent smile—soon, it would all unravel. And it would be broadcast in real time.
Rochelle leaned in, fingers deft as she adjusted the fabric just beneath Arianna’s collarbone, angling the broach with practiced precision until it sat perfectly—aimed, steady, deadly.
“Once you’ve got her alone,” she said, eyes flicking up to meet Arianna’s, “push her. Dig in. Make her lose control. Make her bleed through the act.”
Her lips curled into a cold smile.
“The world sees Bunny, the poor, sweet victim. But we need the monster. So drag her out—rip that mask off and let them watch her unravel.”
Arianna’s jaw tightened, her eyes gleaming with purpose.
It was almost time.
"And you?" Arianna asked, a ghost of a smile on her lips.
She stepped back and gave a subtle nod toward the small elevated stage at the far end of the hall, where the microphone stood and the projector screen loomed behind it, waiting.
"I’ll play the good little wife, cue the collage, make everyone pause to ‘celebrate’..."
.....I’ll pretend to get emotional. I’ll walk up there and start the slideshow I made for John. A little birthday collage to gather attention—make everyone pause. You know, a sweet gesture........ and then the switch will happen....."
Arianna gave a small, incredulous laugh.
"You actually made a slideshow?"
"Of course. Have to sell it." Her grin faded into something darker.
"But ten minutes after you disappear, I’ll switch to the live feed. No one will know it’s happening until it’s too late.…"
"....Harmony face will be unmasked,"
Arianna finished, her tone cold and resolute.
Rochelle nodded.
"She won’t know what hit her."
Arianna’s lips curled into a slow smile, but her eyes stayed hard. "Good."
Time ticked forward, each second bringing them closer to the moment.
Rochelle touched Arianna’s elbow. "It's time. You ready?"
Arianna nodded once. "Let’s end this."
She offered Rochelle a tight nod. Her throat was dry, but her voice came out clear. “Wish me luck.”
“You won’t need it.”
She turned on her heel and scanned the crowd.
And there she was—Harmony. Laughing with a drink in her hand, her head tilted slightly as she whispered something to one of the older guests.
Playing sweet.
Playing innocent.
Every inch of her designed for deception.
Their eyes met across the room.
Arianna smiled.
As Rochelle moved toward the stage, Arianna made her way across the room, letting her presence glide naturally between the guests.
She was smiling, nodding politely, masking the storm boiling beneath her skin. Each step she took was measured, rehearsed. And when she reached Harmony, she didn’t hesitate.
Their eyes locked.
Arianna leaned in slightly, her voice like silk.
"Walk with me?"
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