Trouble in Paradise

The next day, I went to a different hospital for another check-up. When they confirmed the miscarriage again, I broke down.

There was an even more devastating event. Somehow, the online attention that had been on Claudia was now directed at me intentionally.

Someone was stirring up Zachary's fans, saying that only a legitimate wife would care about women around Nicholas and that from Claudia's perspective, Jasmine's situation was not even worth mentioning. Someone really just did not want to let me off.

Zachary's fans were already unhappy about my declining popularity. Now, with a new target for their anger, they did not even need much guidance. They could spin a convincing story entirely on their own. I never imagined that just filing a lawsuit could lead to such a prolonged online battle.

My mind was in chaos. From the very beginning, I suspected that there was someone behind the scenes who did not want to let me off. But who could it be?

Was it Daniel, Frances, or Nicholas? But now, I had no strength to fight back no matter how chaotic things were outside or how much dirt was thrown at me.

I refused the doctor's recommendation for immediate surgery. I also declined Yasmine's offer to take care of me. I said I wanted to be alone for a while, so I locked myself in my apartment.

I wanted to wait for a natural miscarriage. I wanted to let my child come and go on their own. But I still did not know if my child was a boy or a girl. My child had not even met their father yet.

Feeling completely drained, I sank into an inescapable pit of grief. The online scandal would pass eventually, but if my child left, they would never come back.

My phone would not stop ringing. I picked it up and saw it was Claudia. As soon as I answered, her smug voice came through the speaker.

"Arianna, Nick is going to hold a press conference for me! Did you think things were over for me? Too bad you'll be disappointed. What can you do?

"Ha ha ha." She let out a strange laugh.

I was stunned. A press conference? Was he holding the press conference to redirect blame? He might blame me for Claudia's wrongdoings so she could come out clean.

But my child was dying. Why should she get to live such a carefree life?

Expressionlessly, I hung up. I thought of that familiar number I knew by heart and dialed it.

Nicholas answered quickly. He could barely hide the fatigue in his voice. "Arianna."Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

When he called my name, his voice was still cool and pleasant. No matter how many times I heard it, it would always remind me of the past.

I laughed softly and asked him, "What's going on online?"

Nicholas paused for a moment. "Someone tried to direct things toward you on purpose."

"Was it you?" I asked.

His voice was firm as he replied, "No."

I remained silent. Since he had said it was not him, I believed him to some extent. That meant the only ones who could do such a thing were Claudia and Frances.

Seeing that I did not speak, Nicholas said in a deep voice, "I'm planning to hold a press conference for Claudia to clarify things."

"I heard." I scoffed internally. It was clearly her doing, so what was there to clarify?

Nicholas was not only trying to deceive others but also himself. The more he deceived himself, the more he would believe it.

"What she did was wrong. After I

send her abroad, I'll have someone keep a close eye on her. Then, t handle everything here at home. I'll make sure no one says another bad word about you."

I listened to him without a word. As always, I still came second to Claudia.

Nicholas paused before continuing, "Ari, trust me, okay?"

I smiled as trested my hand on my

tummy, "didn't call to talk what's

this. I don't really care about

вле

happening online. But Nicholas, I'm pregnant."