CHAPTER 55
Arianna sighed inwardly, deciding it was best to avoid further confrontation with Xander. The last thing she needed was Grandma King getting involved and making the situation even more unbearable.
Reluctantly, Arianna removed her robe, exposing her injuries to Xander.
With Arianna's reluctant compliance, Xander proceeded without much further discussion. Taking a cotton swab, he carefully soaked it in a medicinal solution before gently dabbing it onto her wound, with gentle precision.
Arianna winced as she felt the sting of the solution on her injuries. She bit her lip, trying to stifle any sound of discomfort, but Xander couldn't help but notice her expression.
As Arianna winced at the sudden sting, Xander couldn't help but watch her intently. Memories flooded his mind, recalling moments when Arianna would often fret over minor injuries, seeking his comfort and reassurance.
Xander couldn't help but notice her reaction. Arianna had always been sensitive to pain. In the past, even the slightest injury would make her wince and cry out, prompting Xander to comfort her.
As Arianna winced at the sudden sting, Xander's mind drifted back to a vivid memory from their past.
He remembered the day Arianna had accidentally cut herself, tears streaming down her face as she despised the sight of blood.
Xander had rushed to her side, his heart aching at her distress. He held her close, comforting her as the doctor applied medication and bandaged the wound. He whispered sweet words into her ear, rubbing her back soothingly, until her tears subsided.
In that moment, as Arianna looked up at him with a beautiful, loving smile, her pain seemed to fade away, replaced by a warmth that filled Xander's heart with joy.
Caught off guard by his gaze, Arianna's brows furrowed. "Why are you staring? Is there something on my face?" she asked, her tone tinged with confusion.
Xander shook his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips as he replied, "No, nothing. It's just...."
Xander wasn't sure if he was genuinely curious or simply voicing his thoughts, but he remarked,
"You used to cry out if you got the tiniest scrape on your finger. Now, you seem to handle a lot more pain."
Arianna was taken aback. Since her return, their encounters had been filled with conflict, never once touching on their past. She hadn't expected Xander to bring it up now.
Nonetheless, was Xander truly unaware, or was he just pretending? Why else would he make such a comment?
Yes, she had been squeamish in the past, but she wasn't that fragile. She had only acted that way to get Xander's attention and comfort. Those were the small, intimate things a couple shared.
But now... Or rather, since he publicly broke off their engagement two years ago, she had lost the one person who cared for her and would soothe her when she was in pain. The person who had once been her source of comfort was now the cause of her suffering.
No matter how badly it hurt or how uncomfortable it was, she had only herself to rely on. Therefore, there was no reason to cry out in pain anymore.
Arianna glanced at Xander again, thinking that if she did scream, he would undoubtedly mock her.
Xander had been watching her closely, not missing any subtle shift in her expressions. Arianna lowered her gaze, trying to shield her thoughts from his penetrating stare. She then deliberately aimed to provoke him, saying,
"I won't scream in front of you, Xander. Not anymore."
Arianna's voice held a blend of determination and acceptance, resonating with the unspoken promise she had made to herself. Despite the pain from her wounds, she adamantly refused to let him witness her vulnerability. She yearned to prove that she had transformed into a resilient young woman who no longer relied on his support.
Xander stared at her, feeling rage coursing through his veins. If she wasn’t showing her pain in his presence, then who was she saving it for?
Xander couldn't help but replay Arianna's previous statement to Grandma King: "I have feelings for someone!"
So, did that mean she reserved her vulnerability, her cries of pain, for the man she liked?
Fantastic. This was just perfect.
A storm of emotions brewed within him. The thought of Arianna seeking comfort from another man, showing her true self to someone else, filled him with an unexpected surge of jealousy and anger. He clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the rising tide of possessiveness.
"Fine," he said, his voice colder than he intended. "Just make sure you take care of yourself properly, then. Make sure Grandma king doesn't noticethose injuries. "
Arianna raised an eyebrow at his tone but chose not to respond. She didn't want to fuel whatever irrational fire was burning in him.
Instead, she focused on the sting of the antiseptic, the pain reminding her that she was still very much in the present moment, with a man who no longer had the right to her cries or her heart.
