Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

Waiting for the trial felt like an eternity, yet two months flew by in the blink of an eye.

When I saw Nicholas again, it was on the shaded path outside the courthouse. As Douglas opened the car door for me, I noticed him standing under a large tree, quietly gazing at me.

He felt inexplicably nervous, his fingers trembling at his sides. Nicholas tried to control his emotions, walking toward me in the way he had rehearsed countless times. He aimed to make it seem like a chance meeting. He took big strides. By the time I got out of the car, he was already in front of me.

"We should head inside. It's almost time."

I could clearly see the sweat dripping from his forehead. The heat was unbearable, and the deafening sound of cicadas filled the air.

My calm demeanor seemed to bring him back to reality. He suddenly remembered his purpose today. He wanted to see for Daniel what kind of woman Frances was, despite having her by his side for over a decade. Nicholas's expression shifted rapidly, and the redness in his eyes gradually faded.

He caught up with me and said, "You've put on a little weight. That's good. Take care of yourself."

"Thank you. I will." I walked swiftly ahead of him, coldly putting space between us.

I had already purchased a flight ticket to leave the country right after the trial. I didn't spare him another glance, although this might be the last time we ever saw each other. Yet, he deliberately sat next to me after I took my seat. His dark eyes felt like a massive net. No matter how much distance I tried to create between us, I couldn't escape the desire he made no effort to hide.

Douglas noticed my discomfort and switched seats with me. I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Frances confessed to her crimes without hesitation. Nicholas had likely conducted his own investigation during this time, so everything proceeded smoothly. However, from the moment Nicholas entered the courtroom, Frances began to look around as if searching for someone.

She admitted to multiple charges, and her good attitude during the confession led to a life sentence. As she cried in her small corner, Yasmine questioned whether had finally found her conscience, remembering her late husband.

She shook her head and turned to Nicholas, shouting, "Tell Claudia to visit me when she has time! I want to hear her call me 'mom' again!"

Her desperate voice echoed throughout the courtroom. The next moment, she was forcibly subdued by the authorities.

Nicholas suddenly stood up, instinctively moving forward a few steps. After all, this was the woman he had called "Mom" for over a decade.

The once noble and beautiful Mrs. Hawk was now being restrained in a chair. Anyone would feel a pang of sympathy at that sight.

I put on my sunglasses and slipped

away amidst the chaos. From a distance, Yasmine watched me before lowering her head to catch her breath and suppress the bitterness in her heart.

We had agreed she would visit when the baby turned one month old.

Nicholas naturally noticed me, but the arrest of Hawk Corporation's CEO's mother was no small matter. As soon as he stepped outside, numerous cameras would be pointed directly at him.

I wasn't worried about him following me, as he had to stay and handle the aftermath.

On the way to the airport, my phone buzzed repeatedly. I sent him one last message. "Goodbye forever."

Then, I pulled out my SIM card and tossed it onto the busiest street in Radiant City. Just like my love for him, it was once vibrant and bustling before shifting to the desolate.

Nicholas seemed to have known I was leaving, but I hadn't expected him to chase me all the way to the airport.

From across the security checkpoint, he repeatedly called my name. Each cry was more desperate than the last.