Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)
Chapter 0454

Douglas awkwardly found an excuse and slipped away. Watching his retreating figure, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. If I could, I would love to escape too. If someone could give me the answer, I would want to know what to do. When I told Yasmine that I planned to cover up for Claudia, my heart felt empty. "Yasmine, just do as I've said."

I rested my hand on my belly. "I'm planning to go abroad for a while to focus on my pregnancy."

Yasmine was taken aback and instinctively asked, "Do you have to go that far?"

I nodded. "Deena invited me to stay with her. She said she would help look after me. Besides, I need a break from everything here."

A bitter smile formed on her lips. "Even the child you're carrying is his. If I were you, I wouldn't just leave like this!"

Yasmine grew more agitated. "You've done so much for him, swallowed all these grievances on your own. Ari, do you still love him? Don't lie to yourself!

"If I were you, I would stay. I would stay by his side and watch him recover. I know what love is. It's not always about who's right or wrong. But I would never give up on everything and slink away."

I smiled, listening to her passionate words as though she were telling someone else's story, not mine.

When I decided to leave, I knew I had done everything I could. He was no longer the person I cared about. Fate would take its course. What happened next was up to him.

Yasmine was getting carried away. She kept urging me to win Nicholas back, but I knew she was just venting. If it really came to that, she would be more stressed out than me.

"I don't love him anymore, but I loved him for over a decade. I don't want anything to happen to him, that's all."

Thinking of what Nicholas had just said to me, I spoke indifferently, "We're divorced, and he doesn't need me anymore."

...

Nicholas returned to his car, his body trembling uncontrollably. The emotions stirring within him were manifesting physically. The only way to soothe them was through a violent release.

In the past, he wouldn't hesitate to grab something sharp and plunge it into his forearm. But now, he couldn't do that anymore.

He rolled up his sleeves and looked at the crisscrossing marks on his arm. A fierce determination burned in his eyes as he vowed to watch them scab over and heal.

He would remember my dominance today for the rest of his life. He was a man. He would stand tall again. And one day, he would make me return to his side.

As this thought sparked within him, Nicholas felt something stir in his body. It was a sensation he hadn't felt in a long time.

Since Daniel's death, he had been increasing his medication dosage He had become painfully aware that neither the sight of my photos nor our shared memories could make him feel like a man. Narugi

This was one of his biggest frustrations. He couldn't let me see him like this.

When Claudia suggested he go to a private hospital for treatment, he agreed without hesitation. He. couldn't imagine lying in the same bed with me at home and not being able to do anything.

But at this moment, the long-lost feeling of strength returned to his body. The flames of desire surged in his eyes.

Sitting beside him, Claudia quickly noticed the change in his body. She slid into his lap, deliberately rubbing against him.

Looking up at him, she used all her tricks to seduce him. She called his name in a sweet, teasing tone, while her hand roamed over his body.

"Nick, Ariana is nothing but a vicious woman. She has been trying to destroy our family for so long. Congratulations, you've finally divorced her!"

For the first time, utter astonishment appeared on Nicholas's face. He lost control, grabbing Claudia by the throat and slamming her against the car door with one hand.

She cried out in pain, her expression shifting to that of an innocent little girl. But Nicholas saw it clearly. The way she had looked at him just

moments ago wasn't the way a

sister looked at her brother

In his heart, he had always taken a more open approach to relationships. He didn't think a woman had to save her first time for her husband.

Nicholas didn't care if Claudia had messed around with her classmates or gotten involved with older men.

Everyone had their own life and fate. His role was simply to be her brother. It was his responsibility to take care of her.

But as he thought back, was there ever a moment when Claudia had shown him that same look in front of me? Was that why I had completely misunderstood?

No. It wasn't like that! He had to explain everything to me.

"Stop the car!" Nicholas shouted.

The car came to a halt on the roadside, and he shoved Claudia out. "Drive! Take me back to Jones Corporation!"