Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)
Chapter 631

Chapter 0631

Nicholas' body was trembling uncontrollably, I tried to pull him up from the floor, but my strength wasn't enough.

I crouched down in front of him, cupping his face with both hands. "Don't cry. It's all in the past now."

Nicholas tightened his grip, and I instinctively closed my eyes. I lost my balance and fell into his arms.

A sharp pain shot through my ear. Nicholas bit my earlobe before licking it with his tongue. It was as if he wanted to drink my blood but couldn't bear to hurt me.

Suppressed sobs wracked his chest, and his broad hand gently stroked my back, again and again. "The thought of you disappearing from my world forever... It feels like my entire sky is collapsing."

I slowly blinked, forcing my eyes wide open as I tilted my head slightly upward. When I left for abroad, wasn't I also thinking about disappearing from his world forever?

Perhaps the meaning of disappearing was different for us. To him, I could stand on the other side of the world, but I could never truly disappear.

Yet, wasn't that what I had hoped for as well?

For him, I was willing to break my own moral boundaries. All I wanted was for him to live well.

"Ariana, promise me you won't do anything dangerous again, okay? I can't live without you!"

The tears I had been holding back finally fell. Although we had been together for eight years, it wasn't much different from being apart for eight years. The happiest memories we shared could be counted on one hand; the rest were filled with bitterness.

How many eight years did a person have? Should we spend the rest of our lives trapped in this cycle of pain?

At 30, I felt childish thinking of love and romance. But at this moment, I wavered for the first time. Could there still be a chance for us?

Reflecting on the pain of the past and imagining the hurt that might come in the future, the worst-case scenario was that everything would repeat itself. We'd walk the same path again, only to face either separation or death.

Could there still be a chance for us?

I once thought Nicholas was too imposing, that he overshadowed everything around me. Just by holding me like this, he could block out all the sunlight in my world.

But now, I suddenly realized that he might be the one radiating light all along. Although years had passed and his brilliance had dimmed at times, it had never disappeared.

No matter how I weighed the pros and cons or reminded myself to think rationally, how dark could my life really be if he was by my side?

Life was vast. But in the end, it all condensed into a single tear.

I asked myself, "Ariana, do you dare to love again?"

The room was filled with a long, lasting silence. I didn't know what to say to him. I just stayed quietly in his arms. Eventually, as his emotions steadied, Nicholas lifted me off the ground. His face was still pale.

"What would happen if I wasn't here when you lost control like that?"

Nicholas seemed to realize the awkwardness from before. A slight blush appeared under his pale skin, and he spoke in a low voice, "Aside from you, nothing else will get me worked up."

I looked into his eyes and asked cautiously, "What if something does?"

"Silence. I'll keep quiet, and my emotions will pass."

I forced a smile. "If you're feeling down, just talk to me."

I thought for a moment and added, "No matter what, I should be someone you can trust. Like an old friend. If you want to talk, I'll listen and help you work through it."

Nicholas' eyes lit up. "So, you're agreeing to stay by my side?"

"No, I mean, you can always call or come to me if you need me... Also, can you put me down now?"

I struggled slightly. Being held like this wasn't comfortable.

The next moment, I felt the ceiling spin as Nicholas pinned me against the door, and his kiss came down on me." I really need your help with something."