CHAPTER 86
Arianna’s phone rang just as she stepped out of the hotel entrance. Seeing Rochelle’s name on the screen, she quickly answered.
Rochelle's melodious voice came through. “Your move yesterday was flawless, Ari. The Schmidt's are all over the news today, dominating the headlines in every major entertainment outlet. The top three trending searches on Waybo are all about their family’s scandals. They’ve never faced such intense public scrutiny before.”
Normally, Arianna would relish discussing her triumph with Rochelle. But at that moment, she was seething with anger and needed an outlet for her frustration.
"Your call couldn't have come at a better time, Chelle. I have so much to get off my chest!"
It was unusual for Arianna to be so talkative, but she launched into a tirade about Xander’s behavior without taking a breath.
“Can you believe that bastard Xander? I slept on the edge of the bed last night, and now my whole body is sore. I didn’t expect him to thank me, but why on earth did he have to get angry? I shouldn’t have helped him yesterday! I should’ve let him fall right into Piper and her mother’s trap. Let him get caught with his pants down in public and be forced to marry Piper! It would serve him right.
“I’m just too naive. Xander loves Piper so much that he doesn’t care if she’s plotting against him. All that scumbag does is hate and misunderstand me!”
Arianna was nearly out of breath after venting.
There was a pause on the other end of the call before Rochelle finally spoke. “Arianna, what’s the real reason you interrupted Xander and Piper yesterday?”
Arianna chuckled bitterly in her frustration.
“Honestly, Rochelle, are you teaming up with Xander too? Why does everyone keep asking me that? I already told you, it’s because Xander helped me before. I’m just repaying the favor, and at the same time, I don’t want Piper and her mother’s scheme to succeed!”
“Come on, Arianna,” Rochelle had already figured out Arianna’s true feelings long ago.
“Do you really have to keep hiding it from me?”
Those words struck Arianna hard, but she stuck to her story. “I’m being honest with you.”
Rochelle wasn’t buying it and swiftly pierced through Arianna’s defenses. “Let me say it for you then. The real reason is that you don’t want to see Xander with other women. You haven’t completely moved on.”
Arianna’s grip tightened on her phone. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Her silence spoke volumes, confirming Rochelle’s insight.
She had convinced herself that she had let go of everything and no longer harbored any lingering feelings for Xander.
Yet, witnessing the impending interaction between Xander and Piper made her react impulsively, storming away without hesitation.
Deep down, she wasn't truly anxious; she simply wanted to avoid witnessing scenes that were not meant for her eyes.
That was why she felt so unsettled earlier when Xander confronted her with that question.
If he had truly seen through her, she dreaded facing his cynicism and potential humiliation once more...
Rochelle understood Arianna's silence perfectly well. She knew the depth of Arianna's feelings for Xander two years ago and the pain she endured when their engagement was publicly called off.
After a brief pause, Rochelle spoke softly,
"Ari, I've always had this feeling that Xander isn't as heartless toward you as you believe. There are plenty of ways he could retaliate if he wanted to. Why did he want to marry you in the first place? It was to keep you close to him."
"And remember how he rushed to rescue you when you were in trouble? Why would he do that if he truly hated you?"
Arianna snapped back to reality. "What are you suggesting, Chelle?"
“What I'm trying to say is, do you think there might have been some misunderstanding between you and Xander?”
Rochelle paused, allowing her words to sink in. “I'm talking about two years ago. Could there have been a misunderstanding that led to all these subsequent misinterpretations and caused him to call off the wedding so abruptly?”
Rochelle was always direct in her approach.
Arianna took a moment to compose herself, pondering Rochelle's words.
When their engagement ended two years ago, and Arianna sought answers from Xander, Ronald was the one who relayed his message: he had grown weary of her.
Those words struck a chord deep within Arianna, stirring up memories of the anonymous email. Could there have been a hidden truth back then?
"Since you and Xander are still married and you're struggling to move on from him, it might be better to confront him directly instead of letting misunderstandings linger," Rochelle advised gently.
"If there's a chance for clarity, it could pave the way for a fresh start between you two."
After ending the call, Arianna stood in silence for a full five minutes, wrestling with her thoughts. Eventually, she turned on her heel and re-entered the hotel.
