Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

The car pulled up, but I couldn't open the door.

Pete lowered the window and teased, "What kind of clumsy little fool are you? Put some strength into it!"

I struggled with the oversized SUV he had somehow acquired, pulling at the door with all my might but to no avail.

It was as though the man who had spent three hard years abroad was finally letting his guard down. The relaxed, playful Pete reminded me of the cocky guy he used to be before life weighed him down. Seeing this change in him, I was genuinely happy for him. Who in this world would choose to live under constant pressure?

"Ugh. This stupid car! Get over here and help me!" I mimicked his playful arrogance, pouting.

Pete got out of the car, walked behind me, and leaned in. His hand covered mine over the door handle, his other hand braced against the car. He trapped me between him and the vehicle.

The air around us seemed to tighten, and my heart skipped a few beats. Turning slightly, I whispered, "Pete, I'm not thinking about anything else right now. I just didn't want Nicholas to get the wrong idea earlier."

He lowered his head, his breath warming the strands of hair on my forehead. "Ari, I know you're worried about Tabitha, but have you ever considered that she might want a dad?"

He lifted my chin gently, making me meet his serious gaze.

"I don't know why, but ever since I came back, I feel like I should reclaim everything that was once mine. I was driven away by my father and forced into marriage abroad because of Nicholas. But now, I'm different."

He smiled and continued, "Now, I'm strong enough-strong enough to protect myself and you. I think I finally have the right to fight for you, but it's not just for myself."

He seriously called my name and asked, "Ariana, aren't you tired of holding it all together by yourself?"

I lowered my eyes, thinking about what Pete said.

Was I tired? Of course, I was. After leaving the country, my health deteriorated. Tabitha was born a month early, and I almost lost my life giving birth to her.

Moreover, the nanny Deena had arranged was useless. I spent the entire month watching over Tabitha's incubator.

Then, just when I thought everything would be fine, Tabitha showed signs of autism.

I remembered how Daniel had assured me when he wanted me to have a child with Nicholas. He said with so much confidence, "There's no way it's hereditary!" Standing in the empty parking lot with Pete, the air felt heavy.

Being a single mother was

challenging tried to give Tabitha twice the love, working tirelessly to provide a good life. I fought hard for my reputation and her future, doing everything I could to make sure she had the best.

In these three years, I had broken down many nights when no one was around. The one thing I had never been able to give Tabitha was a father's love.

Pete lowered his head and asked in

a low voice, "Tabitha likes me, and I like her if she accepts me, and if I find the best doctors for her condition, can you start living for

yourself again after 30?"

I turned my face slightly, and Pete's kiss missed its mark. "Pete, we missed our chance, didn't we? At least it wasn't like Nicholas and I where things ended so terribly."

As I spoke, I began to come to peace

with how Nicholas kept forgiving Claudia. After all, I never completely severed ties with Pete either because of our childhood bond and Nicholas had an even deeper connection with Claudia than I ever had with Pete.

Pete's face filled with pain. "Do I really have no chance?"

From the moment he saw how Nicholas looked at me, Pete knew he couldn't stay silent anymore.

Nicholas's gaze was filled with ambition and the possessiveness only a man in love could have. Even my gaze wasn't devoid of feelings as I looked at him.

Pete was panicking. He had joked and hinted at it many times over the last three years, but I had always brushed it off, never giving him a chance. Now, he couldn't afford to remain silent.

Pete's mood was gloomy, his breath barely even noticeable. I raised my hand to smooth the hair from his forehead and said softly, "If you can make Tabitha accept you..."

His eyes lit up instantly as if the wind had swept away the clouds, revealing a sky full of stars.

The next moment, his strong hands lifted me by the waist, and the world spun before my eyes. He lifted me off the ground and twirled me in his arms. I wanted to stop him, but I just bit my lip tightly.

I had seen Nicholas lift Claudia like this countless times, twirling her around in the courtyard of Coral Villa. And now, Pete was treating me like a child.

A pang of sadness hit me. How long would it take for the wounds of the past to heal? How long would I have to wait so that the memories no longer stirred any pain?

In the distance, Nicholas pulled out a cigarette from his pocket. He took a deep drag before tossing it to the ground and crushing it under his toe. Then, he took out his phone and called Beth. "Check if Ariana and Pete have a child together."