Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

Ridiculous. It was absolutely ridiculous. I had been outplayed by Nicholas, someone I once trusted deeply.

In the study of Coral Villa, it was the second time Nicholas helped me reclaim the company. Back then, he asked, "Aren't you going to read through it before signing?"

I shook my head. I thought Nicholas would never stoop to using underhanded tactics against me. I believed I was special to him.

During that period, we barely saw each other. But every time we did, he would cling to me. He immersed himself in our embraces, lingering with his cold lips brushing against mine until they turned fiery.

I foolishly thought he had feelings for me, at least a little. So, I didn't hesitate to sign my name and stamp the document. But now, as I held the yellowing document in my hand, I realized that he had tampered with it. Nicholas had added a line of fine print.

"Jones Corporation will assume all the responsibilities and obligations outlined in the agreements between Hawk Corporation and its shareholders."

With that single clause, I had been put in a very passive position. I had no idea how Nicholas negotiated or what terms he agreed to just to get Jones Corporation back.

When the time came to tear things apart, he would have every advantage. He could say whatever suited him. Thinking of the way Nicholas looked at me earlier sent a chill through my entire body.

...

After feeding Tabitha in the morning, I left her in Wendy's care, asking her to help look after her. I originally planned to take Tabitha to the kindergarten I had chosen, but that had to be postponed. "Tabitha, Mommy's going to work now. Be good and wait for me to come home, okay?"

I bent down to stroke her head. I didn't expect her to respond. But today, as if she sensed something, she grabbed my sleeve and wouldn't let go.

She gazed out the window as she called out, "Daddy."

I crouched down with a sigh. It had to be Pete constantly teaching her to say "Daddy" that left this habit.

"Do you miss Aunt Deena, Tabitha?"

"Daddy," she insisted.

I sighed again. If Deena knew Tabitha didn't miss her at all, she would probably call Tabitha heartless.

"Pete is busy today too, but if Tabitha is good, he'll come have dinner with you tonight."

I gently turned Tabitha's head to face me, pretending to be stern. "Tabitha, Mommy has told you many times. When you talk to someone you need to look them in the eye. That way, people will like talking to you Don't you want to make more friends?"

She let out a sharp cry, stubbornly turning her head back toward the window. "Daddy!"

I sighed and followed her gaze outside. I nervously said, "Wendy, take Tabitha upstairs!"

I quickly shielded Tabitha's face and stepped in front of her.

Nicholas was leaning against his black car, dressed in a black coat. His entire appearance clashed with the sweltering summer heat.

He had been standing there for a while, watching me as I combed Tabitha's hair and fed her, perfectly fitting the image of a virtuous wife he once dreamed of.

Nicholas had once fantasized about having a perfect family-a wife and a daughter. He envisioned that my daughter would be my spitting image. She would have to look like me to be beautiful.

But he couldn't go inside. He couldn't disturb us. He didn't want to open my door and discover another man living in my home.

He took a deep drag from his

cigarette. He felt certain that if that

happened, he would go mad from the pain. Or worse yet, his most excruciating pain was knowing once carried his children twice, and he lost them both.

"Nicholas! Don't come back here! Don't ever show yourself in front of my child again!"

I knew I would run into Nicholas

ould run

Inet

again once returned, but I never expected it would be like this, tangled up with him once more. man who didn't care about children had no right to be near Tabitha!

swne

Yet, despite my outburst, Nicholas remained unfazed. He simply stepped back, opened his car door, and said, "Just passing by."