Trouble in Paradise

"Enough!" Everything Nicholas said made me sick to my stomach. "Stop trying to make yourself the victim!"

His questioning stung even more than when he agreed to let Jasmine replace me. I hung up the phone, my hand shaking uncontrollably. At that moment, all my hopes for the future were shattered.

I had gone out of my way to doll myself up for the camera that day, ' . I looked in the mirror, I felt like such a clown.

when

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I couldn't help but think about what my mother had said before. Maybe she was right. Maybe I was too hardheaded. Maybe I shouldn't always try to do everything myself. I needed to learn to bend a little.

In actuality, most of these marriages were based on convenience rather than love. The wives used their husbands' money to do their own things and chose to look the other way when it came to their husbands' affairs. Could true love genuinely not exist in the world of the rich? Was I doomed to become one of them?

My vision blurred, and all I could see was Nicholas's face staring back at me in the mirror. He smiled at me and asked why I hadn't gone home yet...

I hurled my phone at the mirror, and it shattered into a million pieces. At last, the voices in my head went silent.

Everyone loved to kick a person when they were down. I was kicked out of the TV station for "causing a scene", and the director chased after me, guilt all over his face.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Jones, but I had no choice. I hope we can work together again someday."

He then stuffed a few banknotes into my hand and took off before I could even say a word, clearly afraid someone might see him.

Pete happened to invite me out, so I took the "travel expense" and went to a café near the TV station, ordering a cup of coffee as I waited for him.

It wasn't long before I heard the bell above the café door chime. Pete walked in and scanned the room. When his eyes landed on me, his face lit up with a bright smile. For a split second, it felt as if a small part of my wounded heart had been healed.

A wave of sadness washed over me, but I fought back the urge to cry and waved at him. His smile was just like it had been when we were kids. I realized then that he had smiled at me countless times before, but I had never really paid attention.

"What would you like to drink?" I felt a bit guilty as if I owed him something, so I offered to place the order. I forced a smile and waved the banknotes in my hand. "Look, I made some money today! Aren't I impressive?"

It was always so easy to talk to him. I never had to walk on eggshells or attempt to please him. At that moment, I felt at ease.

"Ooh! How much did you make? Is it enough to support me? I don't eat a lot, you know." Pete was about to ruffle my hair when he abruptly grabbed my wrist instead.

His eyes narrowed as he asked,

"Who did this?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, so I hastily dropped my head and lied to him. "It was an accident."Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

Pete sighed, let go of my hand, and walked away. The next thing I knew, he was back with a first-aid kit.. Without a word, he sat beside me, snapped open an iodine swab, and gently dabbed at my wound.

"You're such a klutz. I can't leave you here on your own.

The sting of the antiseptic made me wince, so he brought my hand to his lips, blowing on it softly. It made the pain more bearable.

The sun hit the side of his face, and

for someone who was usually so arrogant and boisterous, he

suddenly seemed incredibly gentle, He snapped his fingers, bringing me back to reality.

"What's the matter? Were you mesmerized by me? Don't worry, I can take

*****

care of you!"

1 looked at him, puzzled. "You're leaving?"

"There's a subsidiary company in Flanken City that's been in the red for three years. My father said he would stay out of our relationship if I could get it back on track within three months. I was going to ask you to wait for me, but after Seeing you hurt, I can't bring myself to leave you here alone."

Pete smiled, tracing his fin

Pete smiled, tracing his finger lightly across the back of my hand. "Come with me. Think of these three months as a getaway.

"I'll show you around, and once I've sorted things out with my father and

older brother, I'll officially court you. Then, you can decide if you want to be with me."