Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)
Chapter 165

Chapter 0165

The more nervous I was, the more prone to mistakes I was. Tool desperate to flee, I was in such haste that I even forgot to lift the hem of my dress. As the fabric bunched around my leg. Il to the ground Jasmine hurried out of the ward as soon as she heard the noise.

"Oh dear!" she exclaimed. "What happened?"

She helped me up and continued, "Be careful. Nick will be heartbroken if you get hurt."

With my head hung low, I rubbed my tears away. I glanced up at her and smiled as I thanked her.

I knew my facade wasn't impeccable. My eyes were still red, but my strong-willed nature wouldn't allow me to appear weak in front of someone who humiliated me.

"Don't mention it. We've met before, so that makes us friends, right?" Jasmine beamed, ushering me toward Nicholas's ward.

I couldn't describe how I felt walking toward him. My heart throbbed as I didn't know what more hurtful words he might say to me. In fact, I felt like being forced toward a humiliating trial by my executioner. I drew in a deep breath and straightened up. As I marched toward his ward, I subtly avoided Jasmine's touch.

Ironically, Nicholas's grim expression seemed to soften the moment he saw me. How pitiful must I have looked for the man who deceived me to show me some pity?

"Mrs. Hawk, the caregiver will only be here later this morning, so

+25 CARS

Frances asked me to stay and take care of Nick. But since you're here, my job here is done." Then, Jasmine yawned, stretching in a very unladylike manner. "Taking care of men sure is tough," she remarked.

was

Soon, only Nicholas and I were left in the spacious ward.' reclining on the bed half-naked, and his toned chest was in clear view of me. Even the bandages couldn't conceal his godly physique.

No wonder Jasmine wanted to flirt with him earlier. Was spending hours in the ward alone with another woman while looking like this refreshing" for him too?

I clenched my fists. The word "refreshing" suddenly sounded odd- like it was new to me. Now, the disloyalty, insincere feelings, and mockery it resembled lingered in my mind. It wouldn't go away. "Did you cry?" Nicholas reached to me, revealing his bandaged waist and abdomen.

I stared at him, wondering if this was all his scheme for Claudia. But they were quite amusing. Were they both masochists?

One willingly got stabbed when he could've dodged it, while the other had to inflict harm on herself and got hospitalized when she could've just talked things through.

They were the ones who got stabbed, but I felt the same excruciating pain.

How could Nicholas sound so nonchalant when he spoke to me? Was he still planning to put up an act with his schemes?

Ignoring him, I shook my head wryly and replied, "No, I didn't cry. The dress was too big, so I fell. It hurts.

He beckoned with his hand. "Come here. Let me see if you're hurt."

So what if I was hurt? Nothing could hurt more than facing im right.

now.

The agony was faint, yet incessant. It was like holding a handful of scorching sand and letting them cut my palms as they slipped through my fingers.

In fact, any pain I felt had already vanished along with my unyielding and passionate love. Only detachment and numb nerves were left of

1. me.

I shook my head again, and Nicholas's expression soured with my refusal.

He frowned and tried, "Ariana?"

"Yes?" I replied indifferently. "Are you concerned about me?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Nicholas seemed unfazed.

"Is your concern just another way you replace it 'refreshing'?" I sm