Rift in the perfect picture

Chapter 0406

Nicholas’s condition wasn’t looking good

When I arrived, he glanced at me with his deep, dark eyes. His gaze was calm as if he were looking at something lifeless. There wasn’t a trace of feeling in his gaze.

He rested quietly against the headboard. Everything in the world seemed to have nothing to do with him, serene and tranquil.

I

“Nicholas,” I called out, setting the thermos on the table. “Mom made you some soup.”

Daniel’s passing had nearly broken him, leaving his body frail and exhausted. The medical reports were stacked in a thick pile on the bedside table. I only took a glance at them before placing the thermos on top of them.

“Aren’t… you going to read them?” His voice was hoarse and weak, his breathing shaky.

“Read what?” I looked indifferently at the now–crumpled papers beneath the thermos. “The doctors are taking care of you.”

I paused before continuing with a smirk, “Oh, and there’s Mom’s concern too.”

I stood up. Like a dutiful wife, I opened the thermos to pour the soup out for him. But suddenly, Nicholas. lost control.

A guttural roar erupted from his throat. He knocked the entire thermos to the floor.

The metallic clang of the thermos hitting the floor and rolling away was eerie and prolonged. The milky soup splattered around like trash, along with the herbal tonics Frances had added.

There was barely three feet of space between us, yet it felt like an insurmountable chasm. Even a slight misstep could lead to irreparable damage.

When love was insufficient, hatred would grow uncontrollably. I knew at this point that what remained between us was likely only resentment.

Nicholas glared at me, but his gaze was hollow, empty. His body was drenched in sweat as if he were enduring unbearable pain. His jaw clenched so tightly it looked like he might crack his teeth.

Both our hands were trembling–mine from the scalding soup, and his from the fury he struggled to

contain.

“What’s wrong with you? If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave!” I shouted.

At that moment, Nicholas seemed to shrink. His once domineering presence was completely deflated, overtaken by exhaustion.

I had never been this harsh with him, especially not when he was so vulnerable. My words turned into sharp blades, piercing through whatever defenses he had left.

I didn’t mean to hurt him. However, this might be my only chance to leave him, and I wasn’t about to miss

It.

His eyes were filled with despair as he silently stared at me in accusation. After a few moments, Nicholas

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0406

finally spoke calmly.

“Are you here to see me or to get me to sign those papers? Get out. I don’t want to see you.”

“Ariana!”

A voice suddenly rang out from behind. Claudia stormed in, her face contorted with anger as she saw the scene of the mess on the floor.

“Ariana, what are you doing?” she yelled, rushing to Nicholas’s side.

She didn’t bother hiding her intentions, cradling his head in her arms right in front of me. Nicholas didn’t resist, letting her hold him.

Claudia placed her hand on his forehead, feeling his temperature.

“Nick still has a fever! Do you want our family to fall apart? Are you trying to send him to the grave like Dad? If you can’t take care of him, then leave. I’ll do it!

I scoffed. The pampered princess, who had never lifted a finger in her life, suddenly acting like she knew how to care for someone? It was ridiculous.

I was about to fire back when Nicholas beat me to it.

“Ariana, what if I die? If I died, would you regret wanting to leave me so desperately?”