Chapter 189 Facades

Chapter 189 Facades
Chapter 189: Facades

Golden woke before dawn. For a moment, she lay still, staring at the ceiling, listening to the faint hum of the air conditioning and the distant sound of traffic outside. Sleep had not been kind to her these past nights, and even when it came, it was shallow and restless.

She turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on Xander’s side of the bed. It was empty.

He had started waking up earlier than usual, leaving before she could say anything, before she could even try. At night, he came back late, exhausted, quiet, distant. He still slept beside her, but it felt like there was an ocean between them.

Golden swallowed hard and pushed the blanket off her body.

She got out of bed and headed straight to the kitchen, tying her hair into a loose bun as she walked. If words were failing her, maybe effort would not.

She stood there gathering her thoughts before she began. She cooked slowly, carefully.

Eggs, just the way he liked them. Toast, lightly buttered. Fresh juice. Pancakes, golden and soft, stacked neatly on a plate. She even brewed coffee, the rich aroma filling the room, wrapping around her like a quiet comfort.

Hours passed without her noticing.

By the time she was done, the dining table looked like something out of a magazine. Everything was arranged perfectly, each plate placed with intention, each detail deliberate.

Golden stepped back, her hands resting on the edge of the table as she exhaled.

This had to mean something.

Footsteps sounded from the staircase.

Her heart jumped.

She straightened immediately, smoothing down her clothes, her gaze lifting toward the entrance as Xander appeared.

He looked composed, already dressed for work, his expression unreadable. For a second, his eyes flickered toward the table, taking in the spread.

Golden smiled, soft and hopeful. “Good morning, babe.”

He didn’t respond, instead, he walked past her.

Golden’s smile froze on her face as she turned slightly, watching him grab his car keys from the counter.

“Xander…” she called softly.

He didn’t stop. The door opened, then closed. The sound echoed through the house.

Golden stood there for a long moment, her chest tightening as the silence returned, heavier than before.

Slowly, she looked back at the table.

Everything she had made sat untouched.

Her fingers curled slightly against the surface.

She blinked once, then again, forcing the tears back. She reached for her phone and dialed Alex’s number.

It rang and rang but no one answered. 

Golden frowned and called again. Still nothing.

Her grip tightened slightly as she ended the call and immediately opened the voice note option.

“Alex… hey. It’s me,” she started, her voice soft but strained. “I’ve been trying to reach you. I just… I need to talk to you.”

She paused briefly, swallowing.

“Things are… not great right now. Please call me when you can.”

She sent it and immediately recorded another.

“Or even just text me. Anything. I just need you.”

She dropped the phone on the table and sank into one of the chairs, staring at the food in front of her.

Everything felt like it was slipping again.

And she didn’t know how to hold it together this time.



Xander sat at his desk, his laptop open in front of him. His phone buzzed lightly on the desk, pulling him out of his thoughts.

He glanced at the screen. It was email notification. He hesitated for a second before opening it.

The moment the video loaded, his jaw tightened.

The way Allan had pulled Golden..:

Xander’s grip on the phone tightened.

His chest rose and fell slowly as he forced himself to keep watching. He exhaled sharply and locked his phone, placing it face down on the table.

Seeing it again, from someone else, sent a different kind of anger through him. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

By the time the workday ended, he had composed himself enough to function

He gathered his things slowly, slipping his laptop into his bag. As he stepped into the lobby, he paused.

There was a small crowd gathered near the entrance.

His colleagues, and in the middle of them was Golden.

She stood there, holding a cake box, flowers tucked in her other hand. Her eyes found his immediately, and something in them softened.

“I am sorry,” the words on the cake read clearly.

For a second, Xander didn’t move.

Then one of his colleagues nudged him lightly. “You’ve got yourself a good one.”

Another laughed. “We don’t know what happened but she deserves a second chance.”

Golden stepped forward slowly.

“I know I’ve messed up,” she said softly, her voice carrying just enough for him to hear. “I’m sorry.”

There was a vulnerability in her tone that cut through everything.

The tension in Xander’s chest shifted.

He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Then, without saying a word, he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.

Golden gasped softly, the flowers slipping slightly in her grip as she wrapped her arms around him.

He kissed her.

Around them, the small crowd cheered lightly, clapping and teasing, but it all faded into the background.



Alex floated lazily in the pool, her sunglasses perched on her face, while Varney sat at the edge, his feet dipped in the water.

“Are you even listening to me?” Varney asked, flicking a bit of water in her direction.

Alex groaned. “Barely.”

Before he could respond, the sound of footsteps caught his attention.

He looked up. Then froze.

“Wait… what?”

Alex pushed her sunglasses up slightly. “What now…”

She followed his gaze and immediately sat up.

Golden and Xander walked toward them.

For a second, no one spoke.

Then Golden broke into a wide smile.

“Varney!”

She ran toward him.

Varney stood up just in time to catch her as she threw her arms around him.

“Gigi,” he laughed, hugging her tightly. “What are you doing here?”

Alex climbed out of the pool, grabbing a towel quickly as she walked toward them.

She looked between Golden and Xander, clearly surprised. “Okay… I definitely didn’t see this coming.”

Golden turned to her immediately, pulling her into a hug.

“Why have you been avoiding me?” she asked, her tone playful but pointed.

Alex blinked. “Avoiding you?”

Golden pulled back slightly. “I’ve been calling you. Texting. Nothing.”

Alex let out a small laugh. “I’ve just been busy.”

Golden shook her head lightly. “So my best friend was ignoring my calls and messages, figured she might want to see me in person.” 

Varney chuckled. “That’s some serious dedication.”

They all laughed, the tension dissolving. 

Golden and Varney moved to sit by the pool, immediately falling into conversation, catching up like no time had passed.

Their laughter came easily.

Alex stood there for a moment, watching them.

Then quietly, she turned and walked back into the house.

Xander remained where he was, his gaze moving over the space.