Chapter 196 A rift

Chapter 196 A rift
Chapter 196: A rift 

“Don’t,” Golden whispered, her voice barely steady.

Allan didn’t stop.

He was already too close, his presence closing in on her like a slow, deliberate storm. His gaze locked onto hers, unreadable yet intense, as though he could see straight through every defense she was trying to hold together.

Golden’s breath hitched.

Her body reacted before her mind could catch up. Her chest rose too fast, her fingers trembling at her sides, her pulse loud in her ears. She hated it. Hated that she could feel him this strongly after everything.

After everything.

“Allan…” she tried again, softer this time, almost pleading.

He leaned in just a fraction more. That was it. Something snapped. Golden shoved him hard.

The force sent him a step back, his balance shifting slightly as her hands pushed against his chest with more strength than he expected. She stumbled backward too, putting distance between them as if the space itself could protect her.

Her breathing was shallow and uneven now. 

She shook her head quickly, her eyes wide, her entire body betraying her.

“I’m married,” she said, her voice sharper now, louder, desperate to regain control. “Stop doing this.”

Allan didn’t flinch or apologize, if that’s what the words were meant to do. He didn’t even look guilty.

He just watched her carefully and silently. Like he was studying her reaction instead of her words.

Golden swallowed hard, trying to steady herself, but her hands still trembled. She clasped them together, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“Then why are you shaking?” He asked. 

Golden’s throat went dry instantly. Her eyes flickered down, then back up at him, as if searching for something to hold onto. But there was nothing.

“I’m not,” she said quickly. Her voice cracked at the edge.

Allan’s lips curved slightly.

“Do you really love Xander,” he murmured. “Is that why you really got married to him? Or you married him because you wanted to prove to your ex that you were the prize and can move on real fast?” 

Golden’s chest tightened.

“Stop,” she snapped, her voice shaking again despite her effort. “Just stop talking like you know me. I love Xander.” 

His gaze didn’t leave her.

“I do know you.”

“No, you don’t,” she fired back immediately. “You lost that right.”

Silence fell between them. Golden held his gaze for a second longer, then broke it first.

That alone said enough.

Without another word, she turned sharply and walked out of the office, her steps quicker than she intended, like she was running from something she refused to name.

Behind her, the door shut. Allan stood still for a moment. Then he exhaled slowly, running a hand over his jaw.

A faint smirk settled on his lips.

“She’s still there,” he murmured to himself.



“Just the access logs. That’s all I need.”

Xander’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that made the security officer hesitate.

“Sir, those records are restricted—”

“I know what they are,” Xander cut in, not raising his voice, but not backing down either. “And I’m not asking for footage. Just timestamps.”

The man shifted uneasily in his chair.

Xander leaned slightly closer, his expression controlled but firm.

“Please.”

A beat of silence. Then the man sighed, turning back to his system.

“Alright… but just for a minute.”

Keys clicked rapidly. Screens shifted. Access logs appeared. Xander’s eyes scanned the screen.

Office: Executive Director
Entry: Golden Nixon
Time logged
Exit: Golden Nixon
Time logged

His jaw tightened. The duration was too long. His fingers curled slightly against the desk.

“Thank you,” he said shortly, stepping back. But his mind was already racing.



Golden barely remembered the drive. She just knew she needed to get home, to breathe, to think. To get away from him.

But even as she gripped the steering wheel, her hands still trembled slightly, her thoughts tangled and loud.

Why was she reacting like that? Why did it feel like nothing had changed?

She clenched her jaw, pressing harder on the accelerator. She hated this.



Xander’s car pulled into the driveway first, fast and sharp, the tires screeching slightly against the smooth pavement.

Golden’s car followed right behind, almost too close, her own speed matching his frustration.

Upstairs, behind the glass windows of the neighboring mansion, Hannah watched everything unfold. She knew their cars. Her eyes lit up.

A slow, satisfied smile spread across her face.

“There it is,” she whispered softly.

Her fingers tapped lightly against the window as she leaned forward.

“They definitely had a fight.”

She let out a quiet laugh. “Just a little more…”

Her eyes gleamed. “And it all falls apart. Fate is on my side.”



The front door slammed shut behind them. The tension exploded instantly.

“What the hell was that?” Xander demanded, turning sharply toward Golden.

Golden dropped her bag on the table, her chest still rising from the adrenaline. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me,” he snapped. “You were in his office.”

“He’s my boss!” she shot back.

“For how long?” Xander fired immediately. “Because from what I’m seeing, it’s not looking like work anymore.”

Golden stared at him, disbelief flashing across her face. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re not?” he countered, stepping closer. “You think I don’t see what’s happening?”

“What is happening?” she challenged. “Tell me.”

Xander let out a short, humorless laugh. “You tell me.”

Golden shook her head, frustration boiling over. “Nothing happened.”

“Really?” he said, his tone dropping dangerously. “Because your reaction says otherwise.”

“My reaction?” she repeated, stunned. “You’re judging me based on how I look now?”

“I saw you,” he said. “I saw the way you looked at him.”

Golden’s stomach dropped.

“You’re twisting things,” she said, her voice tightening. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Didn’t you?” he pressed.

“I didn’t kiss him!” she snapped.

The words echoed in the room. Xander’s expression darkened.

“But you wanted to?” he asked quietly.

Golden froze.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “No, I didn’t.”

“Then why are you acting like this?” he demanded.

“Because you’re accusing me!” she cried. “Because you don’t trust me!”

“And should I?” he shot back. “After everything that happened in London between the both of you?” 

That last question hit harder than anything else. Golden’s eyes stung.

“I came home,” she said, her voice breaking slightly now. “Doesn’t that count for anything?”

Xander didn’t respond immediately.

Golden stepped closer, desperate now. “I didn’t kiss Allan.”

She held his gaze.

“I didn’t.”

For a split second, something flickered in his eyes.
There were doubt, hurt, anger, all tangled together.

Then it snapped. His hand moved before either of them fully understood. The sound cracked through the room.

Golden’s head jerked to the side from the impact of the slap, her body going still instantly.