Rift in the perfect picture

Chapter 0368

+25 BONUS

I knew Nicholas was not easily fooled, so the first thing I did after landing was turn on my phone. Sure enough, his messages came flooding in like rapid gunfire.

After being together for so long, even his way of texting had started to resemble Claudia’s.

“Why so sudden?”

“How long will you be gone? One day and night or just a day? Can’t you not go?”

“Why aren’t you replying?”

“When does your plane land?”

I immediately felt dizzy. I could only call him back and explain at length that this was work until he finally relented

One day was not long. I was only away from home for one night. It was so brief that even Nicholas felt caught off guard

When I returned to Coral Villa with a small suitcase hastily bought at the airport the next day, he was standing by the window with his back to me. He was on the phone.

The sunset’s glow streamed in, stretching his shadow long across the floor. Recalling Daniel’s words. I wondered if young Nicholas had enjoyed gazing out windows. Perhaps as an adult, he was now more mindful of maintaining an elegant posture.

Thinking he was discussing work, I tiptoed quietly so as not to disturb him. Just as I was about to pass him, I heard him speaking softly into the phone.

“Thank you, Dad. I don’t know what you said to Ariana, but she seems to have come around. She’s moved. back to Coral Villa with me.”

I froze. Clearly, Nicholas was very happy about returning to Coral Villa.

“Oh… I see. That works too. At Coral Villa, there are people to look after you. Otherwise, at the new house, you’d have to do everything yourself and waste energy

Nicholas laughed. “I’ll just coax her when she’s upset with me. Cooking a few meals isn’t difficult. Now that she’s come around, I won’t need to cook anymore.

“Yeah. You can’t spoil women too much.” Daniel sounded displeased. “Ariana said you’re taking medication?”

“Oh? So she did find out.” Nicholas chuckled lowly. “Dad, don’t worry about things between us. If I didn’t let her know I was taking medication, how could I get her to reconcile with me so easily?”

My mouth opened, but it felt like something was blocking my throat. I could not make a sound.

“You think I want to interfere? Everyone else at my age has grandchildren already. Am I meddling in your affairs? I’m looking out for the Hawk family’s descendants!” Daniel coughed angrily.

It took him a while to catch his breath before continuing, “I’m also concerned about your health. You carry a heavy burden. If you sense that anything’s wrong, you must see a psychologist. You can’t have any

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0368

problems, understand?”

“I know, Dad. I’ll visit you tomorrow. I’m doing very well now. I’m doing all this to get her pregnant quickly. I’ll make sure you have a grandson to hold next year.

I felt my blood freeze and even breathing became difficult. So our time together was just his ploy to appease me. My concern for his illness was also fake. His sole purpose was to get me to quickly bear a child for the Hawk family.

Nicholas made a few more promises about children before Daniel hung up with satisfaction. He did not put his phone away immediately but tapped on it for a bit.

Soon, my phone vibrated with a message from Nicholas. “Shouldn’t you be back today? What time is your flight? I’ll pick you up.”

Smiling, my vision was blurring. I softly replied, “I’m already home.”