Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)
Chapter 158

Chapter 0158

My hands trembled as I took out my phone and looked for the photos of him sleeping with Claudia on our bed.

I slammed my phone on the table before him and asked, "Or do your have the right to do so because you let her sleep in our bedroom on our bed!"

Nicholas probably could not understand my sudden rage as he looked at me quietly. He stared at me until my rage had subsided and my breaths had become even.

Then, he asked calmly. "Why did you come to me for clarification if you have such a deep understanding of me? Claudia's classmater had been the one who hurt her. My sister was-

"How was I supposed to be in the mood to sleep with you after replaceing out about that? Otherwise, why would I insist on changing schools for her despite knowing how emotional she was during that period?"

At that moment, I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. Nicholas' eyes were filled with bitterness as he said, "Someone who truly loved her would not do such a thing toward her.

"She's a victim. I was afraid she would be traumatized and grow depressed, so I treated her with extra care during that period."

Nicholas' explanation only made me feel as if I had just punched at pillow. It made me feel as if I had nowhere to vent all of my anger and frustration.

My mind began swirling with thoughts and emotions. After a longt stretch of silence, I asked, "How can I trust you?"

+25 MONUS

Nicholas did not answer me. Instead, he bent over and placed his arms on his knees, looking as if he had just been punched in the heart.

He closed his eyes and asked solemnly, "If I'm just a bastard who's willing to sleep with my own sister in your eyes, then our relationship for the past few days..."

For a brief moment, I wanted to reach my hands out and hug him as he looked like he was about to break.

He was the head of the Hawk family, yet he was currently looking so vulnerable and fragile. The once proud man who would always stand out amongst a crowd now looked sad and pitiful.

But as our relationship began to fracture uncontrollably, we both did. not have the right to hug each other.

"Ariana." He swayed slightly and pointed at me. He seemed like he had something to say, yet he couldn't form the words.

After hesitating repeatedly, he placed his hand down in despair and said, "I need time to calm down."

He then turned around to walk away, but I quickly stopped him. Hurting him would not hurt me.

"Don't go. I have something to show you."

I sat down and smiled at him. Then, I began taking out the items I always carried around with me and placed them on the table one by one. It was as if I was serving him our food as I introduced each itern to Nicholas. "This is evidence that Claudia had been the one to spread my

information to the public. These are chat messages proving that she

had convinced Zachary's fans to attack me. This is a voice recording where Claudia explicitly admits to wanting to harm me.

"Nicholas, even if you aren't in a physical relationship with her, how am I supposed to get oven with her

Nicholas' shoulders shook as he turned around. He smiled. ntly before standing straight and looking at me. His gaze was filled with cold indifference and detachment.

"So this was your plan all along when you agreed to get back together with me."

Suddenly, he bent down, held my jaw tightly, and pulled me up from my seat. "So, you decided to put up a front and pretend to look all pitiful in that hospital abroad to trick me, hmm?"

His eyes turned red as he pushed me away. Then, the look in hist eyes slowly turned into disgust as he glanced at me up and down. "Ariana, how dare you play me for a fool?"

I gently touched the items on the table. My vision could not seem to focus, causing me to be unable to see his face clearly as I murmured, "Nicholas, there will always be consequences to every action."

I was someone who stuck strongly to my principles. Right was right, and wrong was wrong.

If I had been the one to make such a mistake, then I would not have. let myself off the hook so easily. So why should I let them off the hook so easily?

In that split second when I was at a loss for words, Nicholas yanked me by my arm, causing me to stumble into his embrace. I was just about to speak when I looked up and saw his red and teary eyes.

Then, there was a loud crash behind me as a dagger fell to the

ground. Claudia was crying hysterically as she lunged toward us. "N- Nick, I didn't do it on purpose. Could you not chase me away?"