Trouble in Paradise

In an instant, countless self-comforting thoughts flashed through my mind.

Perhaps I should learn from Jasmine-close my eyes and ignore the women around Nicholas. Just becoming his wife in name didn't seem that hard.

I had lost my mother because of my stubbornness, my defiance, and my immaturity. I didn't dare to be reckless anymore. I couldn't afford to lose Yasmine and Pete-I couldn't let anything happen to them again. Thinking of the new home I had painstakingly decorated over the past few days, I couldn't help but whimper. I looked up at the sky again, only to realize it was drizzling now despite the good weather moments ago. Leila spotted me as she came downstairs. Just as she was about to speak, she met my tearful gaze and became startled.

Stumbling toward me, she began, "Yas... Is there something wrong with her?"

Her grip around my arm was so tight that it must've bruised my skin, but I didn't feel much pain. The suffocating pain in my chest was what truly devastated me.

I forced a smile and said, "Mrs. Warren, it's nothing. Yasmine will be out soon. My husband is here."

As if I was trying to convince myself, I added, "I just missed him too much. He's finally here."

"Great! Your husband is a capable man. Why don't you wait for me for a while? I'll go upstairs and get my husband to buy something from nearby for you. Consider it a small token of my appreciation."

I stopped Leila hastily and said, "Save the hassle. We don't need anything. You should go to the mall and get some new clothes for Yasmine.

"Prepare a bath for her once she's back. After she's changed into her new clothes, she can go back to Radiant City."

Looking grateful, Leila concurred, "Alright. You're Yas's best friend, so I'll do as you say."

I flashed a smile at her and walked into the fine drizzle. The rain wasn't heavy, but it stung sharply when the raindrops hit my face.

The person in the car also saw me. The car window was rolled down, revealing an unfamiliar face. Once the driver confirmed my identity, he quickly got out of the car and dashed toward me with an umbrella. "Mrs. Hawk, it's raining. Here's an umbrella."

Mrs. Hawk... Was I going to become his wife again, despite everything that had happened? Gritting my teeth, I reined in my emotions and strode toward the car. My footsteps didn't falter. My pace quickened instead. I felt petulant, eager to discard the so-called "Mrs. Hawk" umbrella above me, but it seemed destined to stay with me forever.

The driver opened the car door. Without hesitation, I slipped into the car, and then the door closed.

In the confined space of the car, the earthy scent of humid soil wafted through the air briefly. Then, it was soon replaced by an indelible tea fragrance.

Nicholas was like his scent-with just one whiff of it, it lingered everywhere. I remained silent while he sat as still as a statue. His eyes were closed, seemingly asleep. None of us broke this calm.

My gaze wandered past his eyelashes to the hotel across from us. As expected, I could see the chair in the lobby where I used to sit. He must've felt triumphant when he saw me walking toward him.

As I was lost in my thoughts, Nicholas suddenly opened his eyes. He glanced at me and then closed his eyes again.

"Who told you to get in the car?" he demanded, sounding disdainful.

"You must've been waiting for me for a long time," I retorted, swiftly exposing him.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Nicholas's breathing grew slightly labored. He wouldn't admit that he was waiting for her. Indeed, it was only a matter of time before Ariana returned to him, but now it was clear that she hadn't figured out how to negotiate with him. "Get out," he said coldly.